001[Music] water downbody. [Music] Happy bad. [Music] I did it all. I did it all. I saw so many places that I did. Yeah. Every broken bone I swear I live down. [Music] I'll say I did it all. I did it all. I saw so many places. the things that I did. Yeah. With every broken bone, I swear I live [Applause] [Music] Don't go up. Good. Good. Good. [Music] Don't give up. Don't give up. Don't get up. Don't get up. [Music] Don't up. Double [Music] double go up. Hey, [Music] let my love [Music] I was [Music] told my feelings down but they never [Music] I [Music] believe the world'll [Music] Don't give up. [Music] Don't [Music] nothing. Yeah. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Maybe I [Applause] [Music] might be Audrey. [Applause] [Music] Oh, fire. Oh my god.
002Okay, sorry for that. Um, my name is Hernandez. As if you if you didn't hear, um, it is it is my honor to introduce the leaders and the honored guests who guide our schools and community. Please join me in welcoming our amazing and proud superintendent and chief executive officer, Dr. Carol D. Burks, our school board members, President Andre Brown Noel and Anna Dersio. and to our other school district leaders, welcome. And last, but definitely not least, our local community partners. I also want to take a moment to thank everyone for joining us today to learn more about how excited we are to be a part of this partnership that will bring free tech infused K- through2 STEM education to our students. This exciting initiative provides every student and educator in these schools with a personal
003iPad and 247 internet access along with ongoing technology coaching and professional development. You will hear more from Dr. works in just a few minutes. But for now, let's keep the energy going. In fact, give us more energy for my friends, the Harrison Ryan Minist. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] in my cardigan. Welcome to the land of fame sex. Am I going to fit in? Jumped in the camp. Here I am for the first time. Look to my right and I see the Hollywood sign. This is all so crazy. Everybody seems so famous. My tummyy's turning and I'm feeling kind of homeick. Too much pressure and I'm nervous when the taxi man [Music] turn and the J song. So I put my hands up my [Music] song like yeah moving my hands up to my song. You
004know I'm going to be okay. It's a party in the USA. It's a party in the [Applause] USA [Applause] go. Go. [Applause] Martin [Applause] [Music] go up. Y E L L Y E L L. Everybody in the morning it up y everybody [Applause] more it up e [Music] [Applause] Go Martin. M O R T O N. Go Martin. M O R T O N. Go Martin. M O R T O N. Go Morton. [Music] Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. Give a round of applause to the handsome. Now, as I was saying earlier before the amazing cheer have a performance, the goal of the digital promise is to close the digital divide and empower all students with
005the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Our partnership with digital promise and Verizon innovative learning schools reflects the district's commitment to innovative and innovation and preparing students for the demands of the 21st century. Now, it is my honor to introduce our superintendent and chief executive officer of the Allentown School District, Dr. Carol Dr. Carol D. Burks, who will share more information about the meaningful impact this initiative will have on students, staff, and even our families. Thank you. That was a hard act to follow. Let's give our students a roaring round of applause. Not really sure if that was boring. Let's give our students a roaring round of applause. So I am Dr. Carol D. Burks and I am the proud, humbled, grateful superintendent who has the unique pleasure to serve
006these sensational, creative, talented. We should be clapping cuz I I got a lot [Applause] of joy in Kansas and gifted students who serve the school district. Today we are here to have a grand launch and announcement of our partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning Schools. Uh this is an effort that is established by Digital Promise. So I'm going to tell you a little bit about this partnership and I'm only going to spend a few minutes cuz I know we want to keep it all hyped up. I have a little intro song I'm waiting for and so but it did come up and I thought the students could appreciate this song. So as I walked up the stage the song should have been playing. So, but we'll just have to we want to play the song. [Applause]
007Let the students help me out. [Applause] I know last person I have to sing in a minute. [Applause] Okay, I need some friends. [Music] [Applause] All right, that was the song we're supposed to start off with. See, I had to sing. Okay, but the nightlight. The nightlight. All right, one more time. The nightlight. All right. for all the guests in the room, the parents and all the family members and the faculty that song means something. Okay? And they know we say thank you. Thank thank you. Thank you so much. So I want to talk tell you a little bit about this partnership because within the valley we are the only school district who has this partnership with the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Project. And so I went to and I'm going to pick up [Applause]
008and another school board director, Miss Conbury, and we learned we we are a part of general promise, the League of Innovative Schools. So, we went to go visit schools in Minnola, New York. And so, we happened to take a long walk in the cold and then we got on the train and a bus to go all the way out to Minnola and we sat with a gentleman named Dr. DeAndre Weaver. And little did we know that he was the president of of digital equity for digital promise. And so as we I sat in front of them, Miss Connover sat next to him and we learned a lot about the rights to innovative learning experience. And let me tell you, as soon as we met him and then Miss Connover realized that his job and the
009decision-m they had and let me tell you, you know her personality, she was like, "Talk to him. Go talk to him." And I talked to another superintendent who was a friend and she had told me her school had been part a partner in this particular effort and what it entailed and I was so excited and let's just say Dr. DeAndre is my best friend now. So we called and we talked to him and all he told me about about this experience for students that they're working with middle school and high school students. So people ask why is it in the K8 schools? I mean the K5 schools because it's a middle and high school effort. So and today I'm going to tell you a little bit about the the initiative. So you're going to say
010what is this Verizon innovative learning schools and all the great things that are happening for the benefit of all the learners because this effort one thing I like about this initiative it's not sometimes things are for the students but this is for everyone who attends who is works in our schools our five schools all of our middle schools as well as building 21 right now which will become our bridge video academy and those students who attend those schools as well as the faculty and the staff app. So, anyone who works with the children in the school would have the benefit to this particular effort. So, let's hear a little talk a little bit about the bills project. They're going to work with me because I I need a microphone. Everyone knows I'm just real direct.
011I need a microphone that's going to project. Okay. So, this relationship is more than just, you know, sometimes you have programs and it's just a program and people give you software or all those kinds of things. So this is a true partnership, excuse me, where our our collective communities will have benefit from so many resources including technology, professional learning, and this is closely aligned with our strategic plan. We're focusing on a few of our priorities. Academic excellence is one. As a community, we're committed to creating pathways for tomorrow as well as priority seven technology for universal learning. Within our strategic plan, we wrote we wanted to be have two to one access for all of our students. By being partners in this project was just that all the students who are participating as well as
012all the staff will receive an iPad with a keyboard and 247 internet access that they get to take home with them. And the requirement of the partnership is that you get to We get to take the device home. It's not intended to be a school level device because we want you to have ownership of this particular iPad. And we selected iPads. I know people like we using these Chromebooks, but we want our students to be wellversed in all types of technology and innovation that people are using all around the world. Additionally, as an organization, we are focused on this particular effort to have students and staff. I'm going to go on to the next slide. Hi, I'm Alex and I'm innovative learning program. And it's much more than just a program. You are joining a
013network of hundreds of schools, thousands of teachers, and hundreds of thousands new students. Since 2014, and in partnership with Digital Promise, this program provides every student with a device, up to four years of connectivity, and access to new innovative STEM curricula. Because we know that teachers are at the heart of quality education, we also ensure that you are supported throughout this program. We provide extensive teacher training and coaching on meaningful technology integration that fits within your school's own goals. And here's the best part. This initiative is seeing real results and impact. Students and teachers report increases in engagement. They're more collaborative and more using technology to solve problems. And teachers are better at differentiating instruction using technology so that they can meet the needs of individual students. When you join this program, you become a
014part of a nationwide community of passionate leaders who share, collaborate, and support each other and who work to integrate technology into student learning in new and exciting ways. Our goal is to partner with you to transform the classroom. By teaching your students to leverage technology and connectivity, you'll help them master necessary skills for the digital age. You'll create powerful learning opportunities where they think critically, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and work more collaboratively. Verizon Innovative Learning is part of Citizen Verizon, our responsible business plan for economic, environmental, and social advancement. Under this plan, we are committed to provide 10 million youth with digital skills training by 2030. We live in an increasingly digital world. Now more than ever, access to technology and resources is critical for students to gain the skills needed to prepare them
015for success in a digital economy. I'm proud that Verizon Innovative Learning Schools and our partnership with you helps move the world forward by positioning the next generation for the jobs of the future. Again, thank you for the partnership and commitment and welcome to Verizon Innovative Learning. [Music] Welcome to I just want to say this I didn't say before this partnership we're now connected to something bigger from our friend Beyonce. How many know that song? You're part of something much bigger. It's bigger than you. It's bigger than we. It's bigger than all of us. We're part of a huge network of schools around the nation. And it was a very rigorous process to be able to come a part of this. So I want to thank all my my friends and others. Thank you so much
016all the students who participated in the interviews when Verizon came on on staff in the and all the faculty staff who were part. Can you just please stand? You were part of the interviews when they came in [Music] district thank you very much. It's because of you what they heard from you not just Dr. Mur. Now, I did run Dr. Weaver down and became become my best friend for life. However, they were so impressed with all the things that you said. Our school leaders, let's give a round of applause for our school leaders. [Music] [Applause] Now, let me tell you, not every district that applies is admitted into this prestigious offer and receives all these great benefits. I mean, the application was was very rigorous. I want to thank Miss Bryant for helping me with
017that. [Applause] And then there were interviews and more interviews and phone calls and more phone calls because they wanted to make sure that they selected a district that was really going to be supportive and really implement these things. Our school leaders had an opportunity to go out to Chicago and learn with other school leaders around the nation at prices expensive. Okay. as they visit schools and they were able to share the great things that we are doing as well as listen to other school districts or yeah other school districts as well as going to Chicago public schools which is a little bit ahead of us in the process so all the years this effort started in 2012 and there were only up to 12 cohorts of districts so think about the time period so they're
018very selective and I have to tell you this there is a quiz at the end of this presentation But there's a price. So we need you to pay close attention. I forgot to say that. So you know I know you need to pick out your notes or something and your phone or something whatever. But there is a quiz after this. So as a result here are some great what's happening. These are the schools. And where are my where are my friends from Middle [Applause] School? [Music] Morning. Thank you. So these schools, these five schools will be a part of the bill's project from 2025 to 2029. Digital Promise and Verizon Innovative Learning Schools have made a 4year commitment to this project. So every student that joins that school will receive this device. Every faculty staff
019person who works with students will receive these devices in the internet of act uh connectivity. There'll be iPads for all instructional staff stu students. We will also receive discovery education which is another software program at no cost to the district. STA math at no cost to the district and not all of this will be provided to all the schools that are part of this network. Here's some key dates to remember. All our instructional staff and teachers, counselors, social workers, par professionals, all will receive their devices on June 10th as we [Applause] round. So June 10th through June 12th will be on boarding. So you'll join a national of leaders and teachers all around the nation and learn about this project in more detail. So you'll get some friends around the country who are learning and
020starting this project with us. We will have professional learning in August for our teachers and we will visit schools throughout the year throughout the nation. So some of our teachers will get to visit schools, some people get to visit us and we'll have onboarding for the major players in the room. Let's give a round of applause for the students. The students will receive their devices in September. So don't don't go to another school. You you stay here and now we give out a lot of stuff. Okay. But one thing about this project, it is we will build capacity. I mean we're going to learn all these great things about how to use technology and innovation. And people say, "Well, they already know that, Dr. B." You know what? We know how to get on our
021Chromebooks for the most part and just type. We're talking about using technology as a tool. You know, some of our friends, I'm not going to name them, but they said, "Oh, we're going to ban cell phones in schools." No, not us. Cuz there's so many creative ways. I've watched students type papers and do research and some amazing things. We're going to use them as tools, but you're going to have your own iPads and all kinds of books in school. So, you're not going to need your phones. So, with that said, we're going to teach everyone. We're going to empower our entire We're going to infuse in artificial intelligence and computer science and all kinds of great things woven into our learning community. And one big part of this this particular effort is to ensure that
022we take away the barriers away. Some people say, "Well, I can't do my homework because I don't have internet connected at home. We don't have internet. We don't have to." You will have this with this partnership 24/7. These are the what will happen as a these are the the the adults I'm sorry who will ensure that this effort is successful in district. So we have a district director of impact that's Dr. Seoy if you can raise him the back there. [Applause] Congratulations. Please stand [Applause] there. We'll have the district lead in IT League. Mr. Deline and and Mr. Cton are going to help some of our major players that we know they are the greatest lever in coaching. go second to teachers. They're the greatest lever in improving student achievement. Our school leaders. Let's give
023a round of applause for our We'll have our associate director of student impact as well as all right. There's a bills person who's also responsible for this effort. There's a woman named Vanessa Zarita. She lives in Arizona. She is um going to ensure that we are successful. We become very close with her as well. Like Vanessa, we need more stuff. She was like, "Okay." So, she's very committed. We we will also have our our Verizon Innovative Learning School supervisors instruction and we have two of them in the room. So, will they please [Applause] stand? And of course, the greatest lever in student achievement, the our teachers. Let's give her all the teachers out here. Let me tell you all the families to our room. Moms, dads, as well as well, please stand up. Please stand.
024Now moms, dads, well tia, auntie, everyone, we need you to make sure that this program is very successful. Just imagine this effort that I'm talking about. It's worth $12 million. $12 million. So we want to make sure we get another 12 million for our other schools, but we have to So, I want to tell you a little bit more about this project. Remember, there's a there's a test there's a quiz after this. So, who do we need to make sure that the program is successful? Which rooms? The students. Who else? [Music] Principals, teachers. Okay. Very good. Our success is interdependent. So we need all the district leaders. My team is here. My team, can you just please stand up? My cabinet. Everyone just stand up for a [Applause] minute. And I think we need the
025schools. We need the innovative learning school supervisors. We need all educators, all the students, everyone in here. Now I'm going to name our teacher. So I'm giving you the visuals and the audio. I'm sharing with you how important this is. This is interdependent. Everyone in the room plays a vital uh role in ensuring the success of this project. Okay. If you take a look here, we have the student at the at the center. See how the student is elevated. It's going to take everyone working in concert to focus on student engagement. We're going to p prioritize digital access and skills for all of our students. Increase and make our classrooms more powerful, more powerful learning environments. And we're going to imple implement learning experience for students and teachers like no other. Who are we focusing
026on? Okay, so let's take a look a little bit more about this project. I try to be a good good teacher. So I'll show you a few things. M academy over the years has changed what we have now. I've seen it grow into something amazing. A lot of evolution. However, the core has been constant. We've always been a school that challenges students. It's very oriented in getting them college prepared which is phenomenal. The teachers try to push us to become the best students we can be so that we we prosper outside of school. Incredible people and incredible teachers. The culture here at Matter Academy is one team, one goal for sure. When Verizon first came to our school, I felt like it was a great way to evolve this school because as technology has advanced
027so much, so does the classroom. Verizon provides iPads for each student as well as data that they have access to 24/7 and you can make the classrooms more fun. Now, I teach the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab. It's a general course, but very specialized. They let their creativity run wild. For example, they get to use VR goggles and all the different 3D printers and technology to enrich what they're already learning. Through digital promise, we receive extensive training to use these different applications and technology in the classroom. The genius squad is this phenomenal group of students who are very well verssed in the technology and help out teachers, help out students. Genius squad is considered to be the tech team in the school. They help facilitate conversations between the student body, the teachers, and the Verizon coaches.
028So, our genius squad are genius students. I became involved in Genius Squad so I can explore 3D printing and practice working on prosthetics, which is something I'd like to be involved in in the future. My dream university is MIT. So, this is helping me develop background knowledge to my Academy field. When the genius squad first started out, we started learning the iPad, learning the different apps, coding, and then eventually evolved into the app hours we have now. Happy hours are these wonderful trainings that genius squad present to us. It's based on an app or a website that teachers or students need to learn about so that they can implement them in their classes. You might teach something they don't know or something that might help them. When a student gets to teach, they feel a
029sense of pride and accomplishment. A lot of times you learn by teaching and it's great that they get to reinforce that knowledge they have and have these presentation skills as well where they're helping us through the process. Teachers does give me more confidence. It's a great experience to have and it's nice to see that teachers are learning about technology in that way. There's some teachers that never really cared for technology in the classroom. Seeing them now being able to use it and apply it into their classroom overall has been one of the biggest success stories. The transformation has been incredible. The students with learning all this new technology have responded so well. They've been so excited. The students they walk in the door, they ask me, "What are we doing today? What new thing are
030we learning?" And I always feel like, "Oh, well, maybe class is going to be a little bit difficult today." And they're like, "Oh, but it's going to be fun, right?" They truly love learning more. So, they come back to me telling me, "Hey, I learned how to do this." And I was like, "I didn't even know how to do this. That's amazing." So, they they go that extra mile because they really are motivated. If I am navigating this stuff, I honestly don't know what I will be doing. I am not as reserved as I used to be. I used to just be sitting in my middle corner of the class and mind doing my own business. Working with Junior Squad has really helped me open up and be less reserved and more open to communicating
031with others. [Music] So, I was doing a lot of talking and I wanted you to see a school in action, what it's going to look like. We know we're going to make Mars a lot better, right? Okay. So, I wanted to provide an overview and it's important that it's going to take all of us to ensure that we are successful at this program. And when I started a little earlier in my talk, like I said, that there was going to be a quiz and true sixth and seventh grade teacher format. That's me. I was a sixth and seventh grade language arts teacher. They're going to we're going to check for understanding. Okay. Probably my teacher still checking for understanding. I'm still in check. All right. So, I think Miss Molly is going to help me.
032Who's helping me with the prizes? Miss Dr. Seo is helping me with the prizes. Okay. I have five questions. So, how many of you ready? Okay. Are we still excited? Okay. Who said you're not excited? [Applause] She's the one in attention. Okay. All right. So, let's see. When did the Verizon Innovative Learning School project began? Josh. 2012. Mr. [Applause] All right, we ready? Okay, which this is a tough one, so you may have to improvise or get some help from the neighbor. Okay. Which one of the prior priorities that is aligned with the Allentown School District strategic plan does this effort align to? Which one of the priorities? Oh, you know, tell me your name. Which priority? Technology. You got to tell me the number seven. Let's go round five. Technology for learning. Okay, that
033was the most challenging toughest question. I think some of the questions they were going to give you a little too easy. Who is responsible for this collective effort? Okay, pick one. Someone Dr. Seo, pick someone please. Yes. And [Applause] Okay. I think we have two friends. Let's give them a round of applause. All right. Now, I said this is not just about giving students an iPad. So, this question is a tough one. What do we think? Why is Doc Why did Dr. Brooks go and run down uh Dr. Weaver and talk to all these people? Why do you think I did that? Cuz I could have been shopping. I'm just kidding. Yes, my friend right there. For your education. What else? To make it what? I'm giving you a few cues. More fun and interesting.
034Innovative. Who said innovative? All right. Big round of applause. Okay. So, we want to ensure that we give you access and innovation to make your learning experiences more meaningful and challenging so that you'll be more connected to school. And school can be fun. You can learn and still have some fun. Remember, when I was growing up, my mother used to say, "I'm bored." You know what she said to me, right? Read a book. She just ain't go outside. Somebody may get over there and read that book. Okay? So, we want you to be more engaged in school. All right. Let's see if I got one more question. So, I'm trying to get one that we can answer. Oh, how can students Now, we said students are important, but I mentioned something and it kind of
035skirted around it, so I probably didn't heighten this one, but there are ways that students can have jobs as a part of this effort. Does anyone know what the job is? I I went here. Okay. Oh, what did she say? We didn't hear her. Join the student tech team. Yes. Yeah. There will be opportunities for students to join the technology teams at each school so that you can learn how to help your teacher teach lessons and you can help us make sure we bring the we take care of the technology. Now, I went into a school and I saw a little girl's uh Chromebook and you know I asked her a little bit about how she she didn't have a cover and it wasn't as well protected. Now that's why I want to tell you
036how much it cost and how important this is. I need some friends here. Here's my appeal. I need some friends in this room. They're going to say, you know what? They're not like us. I told you no one else in this valley is a part of this partnership. What do you think my appeal is to you? What do you think it's going to be? I need some friends here to make sure that we are successful with this program. What does that look like? Success. What do you think that looks like? Yes. My route friends. I'm I'm sorry. U South Mountain. Sorry. hard work. Okay. What about the technology itself? Okay. So, those are great words. We need cooperation. We need you. Yes. Yes, sir. Charlie. Be responsible. Yes. Yes. What does that look like when
037it comes to your technology? Yes. My friends over there. Keeping it safe. What does that look like? Harrison Morton, we are not hearing from you. Yes. Put it in your case. Protect it. Just think you're getting something a resource that not many students I told you it was a very rigorous experience. There are only 600 schools in the nation. And I want to put this in context for you. There are almost 16,000 school districts, traditional school districts and charter school districts in the nation. There's 600 that have these experiences and five are right here in Allentown. So, I need some ambassadors or some of you eighth grade students are going on soon. Durham into William Allen High School. We have that bridge. We have it at Bren View, but we wanted all one Allentown to
038have this benefit. But it's up to all of us to Okay. We want the videos of people going around the country [Applause] going Heat. [Music] Heat. All [Applause] right, let's [Applause] [Music] get [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Hey [Applause] yun [Applause] show we shout Tf. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] She [Music] [Applause] [Music] is ready. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] I can [Music] see the [Music] [Applause] [Music] track Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Rain the house they go right now the house they [Applause] house. The house [Applause] Here we go. Over here. Over here. Come on now. Red, black, white, red, black, [Applause] white. R S, black, white. Yeah. [Applause] Heat up here. [Music] Heat.
039Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Are you [Applause] ra You Happy again. We [Applause] are Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Thank you, Dr. Bergs, and thank you to the Tracer Cheer team for an awesome performance. For those of you who may not know me, I'm Jina Sores and I'm an eighth grade student at RA Middle School. Now, it's time to hear from the school leaders who are going to street head this in something at at the school level. They already work so hard to make our school great each and every day. So, please let me join me on welcoming these amazing principles. Mr. Jose [Applause] Rosado, Mr. Kenneth [Applause] Britz, Mr. Moro, Dr. Maria Spinosa, [Applause] and my principal from R Middle School, Mr. Jose. [Applause] Good evening everyone. Good evening.
040Good evening. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Ja for that wonderful introduction. As we all know, Jamaa has many many talents. That's just some of and tonight is just another example of her brilli brilliance and action. We're here to celebrate Jamaa and all the amazing students across the four middle schools and the one high school. Tonight is about recognizing the potential and exciting future that lies ahead. Thanks to the uh Dr. Burks's vision, also Dr. Seavoy and the partnership with Verizon Innovation Learning. We are embarking on a truly trans transformative journey. This isn't just a new chapter. This is a game changer. Through this program, our students, staff, and families will experience an integrated, innovative approach to educa education that redefes what's possible in the classroom and beyond. Just think about the impact improved connectivity
041could have on our students and their families. This is how we build the future and our entire learning community by giving our students the tools, the support, the access, and the opportunities. Thank you again. And thank you to everyone here tonight for our overwhelming support, your guidance, and your belief in what our students can achieve. Let's move forward together. Let's move forward together. I have to say this. You got that Raven Prize. Up next is our colleague, Mr. Fritz. [Applause] Good thing I didn't go after Bob. Thanks, Jose. I'm going to go a bit off script because there's just a different kind of energy in here tonight. And that's a shout out to all the students here. Let's hear from the students as well. Extremely proud and very excited principal at South Mountain Middle School.
042Being a part of the village grant will open so many possibilities. The village grant is all about fostering student innovation, giving our students the tools and opportunities to truly explore their c creativity and problem solving skills in new and dynamic ways. Imagine the product projects they'll undertake, the discoveries they'll make, and the passions they'll ignite. But it's not just for our students. A significant portion of this grant is dedicated to teacher professional development. This means we'll have access to cutting edge training resources and collaborative opportunities that will undoubtedly enhance our instructional practices and empower us to integrate even more innovative strategies into our classrooms. I truly believe that this will transform our learning environment, creating a vibrant space where both students and teachers can thrive and push the boundaries of what's possible in Allentown. [Applause]
043All right. So, I agree like it's very inspirational like to to watch all the students come up here and the talents that everyone has. It's uh it's really going to be good to just proud share this experience of growth with you over the next four years. It's not just four years. It's going to continue continue. So, um I may be a little biased to one of the group who made you submit up here. Love you guys. Did a great job. So, my name is uh Good afternoon. My name is Bob Marorrow and today today I'm the ecstatic principal. I'm usually the one that's not the the adjectives and uh different day I'm just the boring one. But today I am these are all on my plate. So our school is excited to be to be
044welcomed into the Bills family giving all involved enhanced opportunities to thrive through improved digital literacy. I'm excited to see our students create improved pathways and creativity through a variety of innovative opportunities. Bills can also transform our classroom experiences. Teachers will benefit from the focused professional development and the increased report of growing and learning together with our students. One of the things that we saw throughout our visits to Chicago was how the the teaching staff and students connected and they built a rapport and truly as Dr. Burke said like students were teaching the the staff how to how to use technology. So, I'm I'm really looking forward to using technology if anybody's ever read my emails. So, at Tricer, we are we we already have a great school community and I believe that bills will open
045up more avenues for improved student engagement, creative outcomes, and collaboration. I would like to sincerely thank the digital promise and our district leadership for believing in the abilities of all of our students and investing in the educational opportunities of each individual student throughout our schools. Bills has offered us the opportunity has offered us the opportunity to grow as digital leaders and create the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you all who have made this possible and all of you who will help us succeed in the future. Thank you. And here's Dr. [Applause] Good afternoon. My name is Maria Spinosa and I am the acting principal at Harrison Morton Middle School. the best. First, I would like to extend a um sincere thank you to Dr. Burks, Dr. Seo, Mr. Brick House, Mr. Deline. I need to shout
046out Octavio Rubio who has been a tremendous support to me and the innovators at Merlin. This moment is especially meaningful to me um as uh because I began my leadership journey right here at Cedar Crest College if you can believe it. So, this is where I had the privilege uh to help shape uh young adults. And now I'm so honored to uh be here to represent Harrison Wharton Middle School students and partner with them this dynamic partnership working to impact the lives of our students right here at Harrison Martin. Right now, everything seems to be coming full circle for me. So it's very exciting. Um at the heart of my educational philosophy while I was at Cedar Chris and now has not changed and it has always been a commitment to instilling a love of
047learning in children. And with that love comes curiosity and imagination, two very powerful drivers of growth and innovation. So, this partnership will help break down barriers and spark imagination in our students. And I am so excited for what the future holds for Harrison Norton and the other schools that are here today. [Applause] Go. Good. Good afternoon. I am Jose Rosado, proud leader at Billing21 High School and the future Bridge View Academy of Health, Science, Innovation, and Technology. On behalf of our team, I want to share how excited and honored I am to be part of the Verizon Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Partnership. This opportunity represents more than just access to technology. This is about unlocking opportunity and preparing every student for the future they deserve. Our mission is to help students build passion, power, capacity,
048and agency. And the bill's partnership partnership partnership accelerates that mission. It gives our young people the tools and access they need to explore what drives them, speak up with confidence, and take real ownership of their learning journeys. We believe in creating learning environments that are student centered, tech empowered, and future ready. Through the VIS partnership, our educators will have access to highquality professional development that will allow them to design deeper, more engaging learning experiences that enhance creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in every classroom. This is a powerful moment for our learning community and we are proud to be a part of a district that leads with vision and heart investing boldly in digital learning and what matters most, our students. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. We're ready. Let's get it started.
049[Applause] [Music] right here. Thank you for that introduction from the Jackson Middle cheer team. So, I would like to thank everybody for coming out today and allowing us to do this today. And thank you to Verizon as well. So, can we give them a hand of applause? Being part of the Verizon Initiative Learning Schools Network connects the districts to a national movement of educators and leaders working to create a future ready school and close opportunity gaps. I'm excited for my school to be part of the Verizon Initiative Learning Schools Network because it connects Allentown to the national movement of educators and leaders working to create future ready schools and close opportunity gaps. So, we have one more performance to close this evening. Please welcome the South Mountain Middle School step team. Come on again. [Music]
050We are [Applause] ready. We are ready. [Applause] And we have decision. Watch this. Get it up. [Applause] All right. What do you guys think? Should we show the audience how we set? [Applause] Woo! Heat! [Applause] Rihanna. Hey, hey, hey. [Applause] Okay. Okay. [Applause] Woo! Heat! [Music] Oh yeah. Hey, hey, hey. [Applause] Here we have it. Get it. [Applause] Hey, [Applause] Woo! That's Heat. Heat. [Applause] And [Applause] so I'm going to be a offic uh the superintendent wanted me to announce that our southbound step team has actually went to the capital of Pennsylvania in front of many [Applause] congressmen. I am honored now to give you our final remarks for the evening. To everyone who came tonight in support of this new launch, we are excited for your support. The school year isn't over just yet,
051but we are already excited about what is ahead for the 2025 to 2026 school year. Thank you all and good night. Excellent. Again, thank everyone. Let's give all our student performances and everyone tonight. You were amazing. As everyone knows, the surren is extremely competitive, but I'm telling you, you represent it tonight. I'm so proud. So, give yourselves another moment. [Applause] I just want to thank again our friends for arriving. They we're streaming this so they will have an opportunity in digital promise to watch this launch because they live around the country. So I just want to say thank you so much for your belief in us for your commitment and your contributions to our learning community and don't [Music] forget have a great evening everyone. I'm so excited about this launch. do an amazing job
052and we're going to ensure that we become one of the number one districts in our [Applause] [Music] area. Heat up [Music] here.