N@N

Dionne Warwick Unveils HP Technology Lab at Hometown Elementary School

^{Published on 2010-09-21 11:10:25 - Market Wire}
 

EAST ORANGE, N.J.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Kicking off the new school year, legendary singer and actress [ Dionne Warwick ] unveiled a new technology lab that includes HP (NYSE:HPQ) camcorders and desktop and notebook PCs loaded with education software at the [ Dionne Warwick Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship ].

"I am proud to say they have thought enough of my ?babies? at the Dionne Warwick Institute to provide?a complete computer lab?furthering?my children?s?computer learning skills in such an environment."

East Orange, N.J., city and school district officials joined the students in welcoming Warwick as she addressed the school on the importance of technology in education and unlocking student potential.

?HP has been at the forefront of providing computers and setting up state-of-the-art computer?labs for schools worldwide,? said Warwick. ?I am proud to say they have thought enough of my ?babies? at the Dionne Warwick Institute to provide?a complete computer lab?furthering?my children?s?computer learning skills in such an environment.?

From prekindergarten through fifth grade, students at Dionne Warwick Institute are exposed to progressive themes in economics and entrepreneurship that also incorporate elements of technology education. Students will use the new [ HP Compaq 6000 Pro All-in-One Business PCs ] featuring [ Adobe? Digital School Collection ] and [ Microsoft? Office 2010 ] to design creative ads, keep inventory records, calculate profit and loss statements, compose business plans and produce multimedia presentations.

By fifth grade, the students have developed and practiced the skills needed to establish and run their own businesses. Three times a year, during the school-hosted ?Market Day,? students put their business plans into action and showcase original handmade products to sell for profit.

?We?re grateful for the generous gift from Ms. Warwick and her business partner, Dave Wooley, and are so appreciative of the relationship that they have formed with HP,? said Gloria P. Watson, principal, Dionne Warwick Institute. ?We are excited to put these incredible tools to practice as we teach our students about the real world of business. Our students are eager to learn and having the latest technology will empower them to do amazing things.?

The technology education theme is infused throughout the school and includes students? daily use of the internet to learn real-life skills. This includes accessing websites to practice depositing into bank accounts to track investments, visiting a virtual school cafeteria to purchase food and calculate a tip, comparing membership prices at a gym, and purchasing from the toy store, where students calculate total costs and make change for payments.

As Warwick celebrates 50 years in show business, she also will release on Nov. 2 her memoir, ?[ My Life, as I See It ],? coauthored with David Freedman Wooley and written on her product of choice ? an HP notebook.

HP and its partners Adobe, Atomic Learning and Microsoft collaborated with Warwick to donate the following products to the school:

• [ HP Compaq 6000 Pro All-in-One Business PCs ]
• [ HP Mini 100e Education Edition netbook PCs ]
• [ HP TouchSmart 9100 Business PCs ]
• [ HP camcorders ]
• [ Adobe Digital School Collection ]
• [ Atomic Learning Professional Development courses ] for teachers
• [ Microsoft Office 2010 ]

Additional information about HP education offerings is available at [ www.hp.com/go/k12 ].

About Dionne Warwick Institute

Dionne Warwick Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship was one of 10 schools in the State of New Jersey recognized as a ?Star School? by the New Jersey State Department of Education. In March of 1999, Dionne Warwick Institute became an America?s Choice School, a school with a solid curriculum that honors the basics of reading, writing, mathematics and science.

Dionne Warwick Institute is one of the pioneers in the area of elementary economics and entrepreneurship education; it is one of a few schools in the nation developing and implementing this thematic curriculum.

In 2008, Dionne Warwick Institute was one of two schools, in the State of New Jersey, recognized as a National Title 1 Distinguished School. On Dec. 1, 2003, the National Center on Education and the Economy selected Dionne Warwick Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship as a National Model School for the Whole School Reform model, America?s Choice, in recognition of the school?s high level of implementation of the design and the test results achieved in literacy and mathematics. There are more than 500 America?s Choice Schools in the United States and only 12 have been designated as national models.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world?s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP is available at [ http://www.hp.com ].

Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.

? 2010 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Photos/Multimedia?Gallery Available: [ http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6437165&lang=en ]