Sayville, NY – May 15, 2009 – Cablevision’s Power to Learn, along with State Senator Brian X. Foley, recognized students at Sayville Middle School certified as “Internet Smart.” Among other guests were parents and teachers as well as representatives from Power to Learn.

Cyberbullying and Social Networking were the focus of the event, where several sixth-grade students read aloud to their peers and welcomed guests their research-based personal essays and discussed how it relates to their lives. Following welcoming remarks by Sayville Middle School Principal Dr. Walter Schartner, Senator Foley and Cablevision’s Vice President of Government Affairs Adam Falk, the participating students spoke about what they learned from case studies dealing with cyberbullying and the ups and downs of social networking. Later, Senator Foley led the assembly in reciting the Internet Safety Pledge, a giant sign-in board which was left at the school upon which all the students will eventually sign their names.

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“It is important that all students today have access to the Internet for learning, but we must be sure it is being used safely,” said Senator Foley. “Topics including cyberbullying and social networking online must be addressed as they can affect all of our children. Programs such at Cablevision’s Internet Smarts help equip students with the knowledge and resources needed to safely navigate their way through Internet.”

Principal Dr. Walter Schartner thanked Cablevision and applauded its Internet Smarts program, noting, “Using the Internet safely and knowing how to appropriately deal with issues such as cyberbullying are basic skills required of all students today. I’d like to thank Cablevision’s Power to Learn for working with the Sayville Middle School and helping the students better understand issues related to technology today.”