Fillmore, CA – As part of a national one-to-one technology initiative, Apple will soon put the latest iPads, Apple TVs and MacBook Air devices into the hands of every student and staff member at Piru Elementary School in the Fillmore Unified School District. Thanks to a competitive grant awarded in October 2014 by Apple ConnectEd, the oldest school in the District will officially become among the most technologically advanced. Piru Elementary was one of 114 schools nationwide and one of only 11 in the entire state of California to receive funding.

This is cause for celebration when the first of many Apple device rolls outs begins at a gala celebration at Piru Elementary on June 2 at 8 a.m. Local elected officials, administrators, site staff and students and parents will be on hand as Apple gives out MacBook Air devices to teachers and conducts the first of what will be more than 17 days of staff training over the upcoming school year.

“Our participation in the Apple ConnectED initiative will help us extend teaching and learning across every classroom and platform at Piru Elementary School,” said Dr. Adrian Palazuelos, Fillmore District Superintendent. “We are overjoyed to be a partner with Apple in this work and know that it will have tremendous benefit and relevance for our entire school community.”

Apple’s ConnectEd grant provide products, support and opportunities to schools that need them most. Every student at Piru Elementary will receive an iPad that each will use at school and home to integrate classroom learning on a daily basis. Every teacher and administrator will receive an iPad and MacBook Air. All classrooms on campus will be outfitted with upgraded/enhanced connectivity, Apple TVs and supplemental projectors where needed. In addition, Apple will provide all professional services, project management, ongoing professional development and any essential third-party application or component.

Students and teachers will have the opportunity to continue learning beyond the walls of the classroom with free mobile broadband services from AT&T.

“This grant is a very exciting opportunity and will have a tremendous impact on our students and community,” said Martha Hernandez, District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “This amazing technology will enrich the educational experience for our students by bringing an awareness of new fields of study and career opportunities.”

Not only that, these resources promise to launch students, parents and staff at Piru Elementary to the highest levels of global competence. Teachers and staff will become well-trained facilitators and experts at leveraging their new digital tools, enabling students to create their own knowledge and compete and succeed in an increasingly complex digital world and future economy.

“I am thrilled by this recognition from Apple and excited to embark on our journey to a different level of excellence,” said Diana Vides, Principal of Piru Elementary and author of the school’s ConnectED grant. “This funding will give my students access to the world at their fingertips, a wealth of knowledge and resources to my staff and amazing opportunities for our entire community.”

Visit http://www.apple.com/education/connectED/ to learn more about Apple and ConnectED.