Optimum Lightpath Helps River Dell Regional School District Unleash Learning Without Boundaries

JERICHO, N.Y., May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- School districts throughout New Jersey continue to turn to fiber to cut voice and data costs and remove the bandwidth boundaries that have traditionally stifled connected learning opportunities. Optimum Lightpath®, a market leader in Ethernet-based communication solutions for New York metropolitan area businesses, today announced that River Dell Regional School District has used the company's 100% fiber network and cost-effective access to reliable bandwidth to introduce a host of new learning opportunities for its middle and high school.

River Dell Regional School District comprises 1,615 students, and 142 faculty and staff across its middle and high school, the latter of which was recently included in Newsweek's List of America's Best High Schools. When Director of Technology Marianthe Williams arrived at the school district a few years earlier, she quickly contacted Optimum Lightpath to take advantage of its cost-effective, scalable and highly reliable Ethernet-based services.

"I was an Optimum Lightpath customer in a previous district and knew that I could take advantage of the best service and value by working with them again to fulfill all of River Dell Regional School District's telecommunications needs," said Williams. "And while cost savings certainly factor into decision making for any project, it is ultimately the ability to improve student achievement that drives any project undertaken in the school. We needed to upgrade from our inadequate 3 mb bandwidth connection, which did not provide the students and teachers with the resources necessary to become 21st century learners. Today, we are in a situation where teachers and students can use Web2.0 technologies without limits."

Exploring New Tech Horizons

As a result of deploying Optimum Lightpath's 100 mb Dedicated Internet Access from the Education Services Suite of products, River Dell Regional School District was able to introduce a variety of technology-infused programs and initiatives. Students are able to take advantage of a broad range of online digital resources and textbooks, while teachers can distribute assignments and work interactively with students. As a result of a one to one computing initiative, students and teachers are completely mobile, enabling students to submit coursework and assessments digitally without exchanging a single piece of paper. Math teachers take advantage of interactive white boards that are connected to tablet computers, students use Skype service to connect with other schools and student-produced programming on River Dell TV can stream via the Web for improved access. Finally, the classroom has migrated to a student centered environment that stretches student imaginations with the creation of student-authored videos, documentaries, podcasts, music, pictures, book trailers, video essays and more.

In the middle school, interactive white boards are utilized in every classroom. The school also boasts five computer labs where computer engineering, literacy and music are taught, and students have access to an interactive library. Laptop carts also roam between classrooms, giving teachers the opportunity to enhance problem-based learning. In both the middle school and the high school, parents can log into a student information system for real-time updates on student performance and attendance.

"Today, Optimum Lightpath has been able to deeply penetrate the education market because we have the price points, services and reliability to make a major difference in how teaching and learning takes place," said Julia McGrath, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Optimum Lightpath. "Our school customers have come to rely on us as a true partner in helping to deliver on the promise of the most advanced education opportunities for students throughout the New York metro area and we are committed to continue providing this experience, along with the savings and flexibility they've come to expect."

Optimum Lightpath works extensively with schools throughout New Jersey and 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.shtml.

Optimum Lightpath has selected River Dell Regional School District as its Customer Spotlight of the Month for May 2011.

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