THE NEW YORK KNICKS AND CABLEVISION'S POWER TO LEARN CONGRATULATE LUÍS MUÑOZ MARÍN ELEMENTARY FOR
"MOST SPIRITED" VIRTUAL READING ZONE
John Starks, Former Knicks Star, and Mayor John Fabrizi To Honor Mrs. Williamson And Her Fourth Grade Class For Outstanding Achievements and Enthusiastic Involvement In "Knicks Virtual Reading Zone" Initiative
Class Also Recognized As NBA National Reading Corner
Event Will Take Place at Marín School in Bridgeport May 17, At 10:00 a.m.
Bridgeport, CT May 13, 2005 - The New York Knickerbockers and Cablevision's Power to Learn education initiative team up to celebrate Luís Muñoz Marín Elementary fourth graders for their reading achievements in the Knicks Virtual Reading Zone literacy program developed and sponsored by Cablevision's Power to Learn and the New York Knicks. During the event on Tuesday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m. Former Knicks star John Starks and Mayor John Fabrizi will personally congratulate students in Mary Beth Williamson's "Most Spirited" fourth grade class for their enthusiastic and dedicated participation in the Knicks Virtual Reading Zone program and also for being chosen as an NBA National Reading Corner.
The Knicks Virtual Reading Zone initiative combines the power of technology, sports figures, and incentives to encourage reading and comprehension in schools throughout the New York metropolitan area. Through the use of innovative curriculum programs, interactive videos and the Internet, Knicks Virtual Reading Zones are designed to support literacy and help teachers inspire their students to read.
"Knicks Virtual Reading Zones encourage more children to discover the wonders and excitement of books while fostering essential reading and comprehension skills," states Trent Anderson, Vice President of Education, Cablevision. "With today's emphasis in education on testing, reading can feel like a chore to kids. This program helps make reading fun. We are thrilled to have Mrs. Williamson and her class' enthusiasm and joy of reading make this program a huge success."
Mrs. Williamson and her students demonstrated their unique implementation of the Knicks Virtual Reading Zone initiative by meeting individual and group reading goals, which were tracked and recognized on www.powertolearn.com. Students also created basketball and jersey shaped reading logs to track their achievements and submitted a variety of written and illustrated responses to the books they read. Students wrote thank you letters to the Knicks and Power to Learn expressing their enjoyment of the program and enthusiasm about meeting a Knicks player in person.
"The Knicks Virtual Reading Zone has helped my students grow in their reading achievement by encouraging them to read more in school and at home, which has greatly enhanced their education," said Mary Beth Williamson.
Luís Muñoz Marín Elementary has also been chosen as an NBA National Reading Corner, which will grant Mrs. Williamson's class a donation of 500 books along with posters, bookmarks, reading activities and team materials. Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., the nation's leading children's literacy organization, in partnership with the National Basketball Association, New York Knicks and the Foot Locker Foundation, have launched the National Reading Corner Program, creating more than 100 reading corners at schools and youth organizations around the country. Reading Corners provide children attending these facilities with increased exposure to quality children's literature, an inviting and fun environment to read in and the ability to bring home books and enhance family involvement in a child's reading activities.
"Reading is essential to education, which is why we have partnered with Power to Learn and our other affiliates to promote literacy and make the Knicks' conventional reading initiatives available to all students throughout the Tri-state area through Knicks Virtual Reading Zones," said Anucha Browne Sanders, Knicks senior vice president, marketing and business operations. "We are proud of these partnerships and our work with Mary Beth Williamson and the Marín School to make a meaningful impact on their students' education through this program."
As part of his visit, John Starks will read Why Mole Asked Why from Why Mole Shouted and Other Stories by Lore Segal to the students. Each student will receive a personal copy of the book signed by John Starks, which is also featured in the Knicks virtual video book library at www.powertolearn.com.
Additional components of the Knicks Virtual Reading Zone program available at www.powertolearn.com include:
- Postcard Club - Online destination where Knicks and Liberty players recommend books by grade level. Students select a book to read, and take a short online quiz when finished. Electronic, personalized postcards from the player who recommended the book are rewarded to students who complete and pass the online quiz.
- Knicks Video Books - Players and other popular figures such as Spike Lee read or introduce video books at www.powertolearn.com. NY, NJ, CT and NYC standards based lesson plans and subtitled versions are available for each book. Through the video books, players can virtually visit classrooms and inspire kids to read.
Power to Learn, Cablevision's nationally recognized education initiative, empowers K-12 learning in the tri-state area by making technology in the classroom useful and by facilitating the home-school connection. More than 2,000 schools and libraries throughout Cablevision's New York metropolitan service area receive high-speed Internet access and more than 85 percent of schools in Cablevision's service area receive free cable television service as a result of this initiative. In addition, teachers, students and parents benefit from innovative educational content and tools available on www.powertolearn.com, a broadband Web resource dedicated to facilitating K-12 learning and the home-school connection.
The NBA's New York Knickerbockers basketball team, completing its 59th year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns Madison Square Garden, L.P., which includes MSG Network; FSN New York; the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); Radio City Entertainment; the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League), and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television offering, Optimum Online high-speed Internet service, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable service, and its Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE and other national and regional networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision is the controlling owner of Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas. Additional information about Cablevision Systems Corporation is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.
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