THE NEW YORK KNICKS AND CABLEVISION'S POWER TO LEARN CONGRATULATE NELLIE K. PARKER ELEMENTARY FOR
"MOST SPIRITED" VIRTUAL READING ZONE
Kym Hampton, Former Liberty Star, and Mayor John Zisa Will Honor Ms. Shawna Hill And Her Fourth Grade Class For Outstanding Achievements and Enthusiastic Involvement In "Knicks Virtual Reading Zone" Initiative
Event Will Take Place at Nellie K. Parker Elementary
in Hackensack June 20 At 9:45 a.m.
Hackensack, NJ - June 17, 2005 - The New York Knicks and Cablevision's Power to Learn education initiative team up to celebrate Nellie K. Parker 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 Monday, June 20, at 9:45 a.m., former WNBA Liberty star Kym Hampton and Mayor John Zisa will personally congratulate students in Ms. Shawna Hill's "Most Spirited" fourth grade class for their enthusiastic and dedicated participation in the Knicks Virtual Reading Zone program. Students will also have an opportunity to visit the Knicks Groove Truck loaded with interactive games, giveaways, and much more.
"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. "Reading can sometimes feel like a chore to kids. This program helps make reading fun. We are thrilled to have Ms. Hill and her class' enthusiasm and joy of reading make this program a huge success."
Ms. Hill's students demonstrated their unique implementation of the Knicks Virtual Reading Zone initiative by reading at least 30 minutes every night, keeping extensive reading logs, sharing stories with parents and family, posting online book reports, creating posters and a vibrant Knicks Reading Zone in the classroom.
"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 Ms. Shawna Hill.
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.
"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 Ms. Hill and Nellie K. Parker Elementary to make a meaningful impact on students' education through this program."
As part of his visit, Kym Hampton will read, "Where's Jamela?" by Niki Daly to the class. Each student will receive a personal copy of the book signed by Kym Hampton, 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 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television, Optimum Online high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, 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 owns 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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