Optimum Lightpath Announces Long Island Education Technology Conference and Grant Program

JERICHO, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Island schools are eager to continue advancing education in the classroom with technology. Optimum Lightpath®, a market leader in Ethernet-based communication solutions for New York metropolitan area businesses, today announced that it will award up to $100,000 in grants to help Long Island schools continue to expand the use of technology for teaching and learning. Grant applications are now being accepted and winners will be announced at Optimum Lightpath's Long Island Education Technology Conference, which will be held November 16, 2011 at Cablevision's headquarters in Bethpage, Long Island. Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano will speak at the event and present award checks to 2011 grant winners.

"Optimum Lightpath is a strong example of what it means to invest in and support community," said Mangano. "By helping Long Island school districts further take advantage of state of the art technology programs for teachers and students, the company is effectively advancing education in the classroom. We're proud to support this important initiative."

Investing in the Future of Long Island Education

To further increase the capability of Long Island schools to implement transformational technologies in the classroom, Optimum Lightpath has established the Transforming Education with Technology grant program, which will award up to $100,000 across selected schools. The program is available throughout Long Island and open to public and private elementary and secondary schools. Grants will be awarded based on criteria that include how a school would use the awarded funds to:

• Leverage technology to improve instruction;
• Promote the use of technology to improve the overall education experience;
• Utilize new technology to promote distance learning; and
• Create new school initiatives centered around new technologies.

For program details and to determine eligibility, please visit http://www.optimumlightpath.com/education/education_grant.shtml. The deadline for submissions is October 10, 2011.

The Power of Transformational Technology in the Classroom

Optimum Lightpath's Long Island Education Technology Conference will focus on top technology issues and the emerging opportunities that Long Island schools have to leverage new technologies for enhanced student learning experiences. It will attract Long Island superintendents, school business administrators, IT managers and principals.

The event will be held November 16, 2011 at Cablevision's headquarters at 1111 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage, Long Island. The event program will run 8:00 a.m. – noon. There is no cost to attend the event. For more information, please visit http://www.OptimumLightpath.com/conference.

"Technology has the power to take learning far beyond the classroom walls," said Julia McGrath, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Optimum Lightpath. "We are committed to assisting schools in leveraging technology to enhance teaching methods and help students better prepare for the future. As we work to make the vision of technology-enabled classrooms in every school a reality, we look forward to continue working with our education customers to deliver the value, flexibility and performance they need to succeed."

Optimum Lightpath works extensively with schools throughout the New York metropolitan area to transform education in the classroom. Schools that have deployed services from Optimum Lightpath's Education Services Suite have cut costs, considerably increased bandwidth and enhanced teaching and learning. For more information about Optimum Lightpath's work in the education sector, visit: http://www.optimumlightpath.com/education.

About Optimum Lightpath

Optimum Lightpath, a division of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC), is an industry leader in providing advanced Ethernet-based data, Internet, voice, video transport solutions and managed services to businesses across the New York metropolitan area. Optimum Lightpath's Network is a highly reliable, resilient, and scalable fiber-to-the-business-premises network extending more than 4,400 route miles connecting more than 4,500 fiber-lit locations. Exclusively focused on meeting customer needs in the world's largest business market for 20 years, Optimum Lightpath has been continually recognized for its high level of customer service. For 13 straight years, the New York State Public Service Commission has given Optimum Lightpath its Commendation of Excellence. Optimum Lightpath has received many industry awards for innovation and leadership. For more information, visit www.optimumlightpath.com.

SOURCE Optimum Lightpath