YMCA Of Metropolitan Washington Funds New Reading Software and Netbooks for KIPP DC Through Participation In CBS EcoMedia’s EducationAd

Washington, DC, May 30, 2013 /3BL Media/ – First and second grade students at KIPP DC’s Shaw Campus are getting some valuable extra help with their reading skills and comprehension thanks to innovative funding for new reading software and netbooks from the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.  The financial support from the YMCA was made possible from their EducationAd advertising with CBS EcoMedia.

The new adaptive reading tools were celebrated today at a special presentation and tour of the KIPP DC Shaw Campus hosted by KIPP DC.  Guests were able to meet students, teachers and administrative staff as well as observe reading lessons given in classrooms.

The YMCA's funding is allowing KIPP DC to expand their in-classroom reading software offering to four additional first and second grade classrooms and will also provide netbooks to two of their first and second grade reading classrooms. The YMCA’s funding is impacting approximately 220 students at KIPP DC, and will allow teachers, students and their families to react immediately to reading comprehension data as students progress through the adaptive reading software.

“Thanks to the generosity of YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., teachers at KIPP DC Lead Academy now have the software, tools, and real-time data that they need to differentiate instruction and drive our students towards even higher levels of achievement,” said Lead Academy principal Mekia Love.

The reading software being funded by the YMCA was initially piloted in several KIPP DC classrooms last year, and today’s tour gave YMCA representatives the opportunity to witness the software being used by current students and see how effective and popular it is with the KIPP DC Lead Academy kids.

“At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for life,” says Angie Reese-Hawkins, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. “That’s why this project and partnership with CBS EcoMedia was such a perfect fit. We are honored to help more young people in our region expand their learning potential, creativity and future through reading.”

“The KIPP name says it all:  Knowledge Is Power,” explained Paul Polizzotto, President and Founder of CBS EcoMedia. “And there’s no more important work than providing students in underserved communities with the resources they need to succeed. We are delighted to bring KIPPDC Lead Academy together with YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. through our EducationAd Program. KIPP DC’s approach emphasizes the critical partnership between parents, students, and teachers; it’s a philosophy we at EcoMedia understand and embrace. We take a similar approach with innovative public-private partnerships created through our EducationAd, EcoAd, and WellnessAd programs.  By creating a business model that transforms advertising dollars into positive social change we are able to make meaningful and measureable improvements in communities across America, just like we’re doing here in D.C.”

About The YMCA Of Metropolitan Washington

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We’ve been connecting and supporting men, women and children in Greater Washington for 160 years – regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in Washington, DC, southern MD, and northern VA, the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington creates a positive difference in the lives of more than 200,000 people each year through its 17 branches and program centers. We have the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. For more information, visit www.ymcadc.org or follow us at www.facebook.com/YMetroDC.

About KIPP DC

KIPP DC is a network of high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools in Washington, D.C. All KIPP DC schools are tuition-free, open enrollment schools, and actively recruit and serve students in the city's most under-resourced communities. At KIPP DC, there are no shortcuts. Outstanding educators and staff, more time in school, a rigorous college preparatory-curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support help our students make significant academic gains and continue to excel in high school and college. The KIPP DC network currently serves over 3,000 students at ten schools on three campuses in the District of Columbia, and will eventually serve over 5,000 students at thirteen schools by 2017. For more information, visit www.kippdc.org.

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.

At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002.  In 2008, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media. 

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide.  In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change.  Please visit ecomedia.cbs.com to learn more. 

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities.  EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.