SAN DIEGO, March 14, 2013 -- In an effort to help provide students with the important tools they need to achieve educational success, Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced an expanded partnership with K to College to provide more than 200 students in San Diego with school supplies. The partnership has enabled K to College, a non-profit organization that operates the largest free school and dental supply program for underprivileged students in California, to continue expanding its services to Southern California.
Today, Huawei employees and K to College teamed up with incoming San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Designate Cindy Marten to kick off the expanded partnership by distributing school supplies to the entire student body of more than 200 students at Bayview Terrace Elementary School. This event served as a follow-up to the initial partnership event. In October 2012, about 25 Huawei employees distributed a $65-$70 grade appropriate school supply and dental kit to all 400 students at Scott Lane Elementary in Santa Clara.
"We are thrilled to continue growing our relationship with Huawei," said Benito Delgado-Olson , Executive Director of K to College. "K to College's commitment to provide every under-resourced student with the proper tools for school is only possible with the generosity of companies like Huawei, who choose to invest in their local and future workforce. That is why we are proud to have them as our first San Diego and statewide sponsor."
Huawei's sponsorship includes a monetary donation to K to College's School Supply Initiative and Dental Kit Initiative, which will allow the organization to expand its program throughout California and help students in need. More than 90 percent of Bayview Terrace Elementary School students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, which is based on household family income levels.
"School supplies are important resources that students should all be able to equally access," said Jose Garcia , Director of Hardware Platforms at Huawei Device. "Huawei could not be more proud to broaden its partnership with K to College to help make sure our nation's future professionals are well equipped in the classroom."
The School Supply Initiative (SSI) helps address the issue that more than 3.5 million public school students in California are enrolled in the Free or Reduced Price Meal (FRPM) program, which has a 185% of poverty level income ceiling. This means that these students struggle to afford the basic yet critical instructional materials necessary for a quality education.
"It's often that our students and parents don't have access to school supplies and health resources. The liberal gifts being provided by Huawei and K to College will be incredibly valuable in helping students feel more prepared and motivated when they enter the classroom," Magdalena Tavasci , Principal of Bayview Terrace Elementary School, said.
"Providing our children with tools to learn and grow is critical to their success in the classroom and beyond," said Kevin Faulconer , City Councilmember for San Diego's beach and bay communities. "When we all work together, we can achieve results like this – a solution that helps ensure students don't have to go without the educational resources they need to succeed."
