Cricket Helps Students Get Home Safely, Reduces Bullying
CINCINNATI – September 3, 2007 – An important part of going back to school is getting back home safely at the end of the school day. For three area schools, bullying and horseplay has made the after-school walk home potentially dangerous for students. To help children get home safely and quickly, Cricket is providing free phones and service to Burton Elementary, North Avondale and Rockdale Schools crossing guards and parent volunteers.
Cricket has equipped crossing guards and the Cincinnati After School Program organizers with safety phones and identifying t-shirts. These phones can be used to report incidents to school personnel, contact parents, or in extreme circumstances, call the police.
Burton Elementary’s parent club turned to Cricket last school year after becoming increasingly concerned by frequent bullying, horseplay and other unsafe behavior going on just beyond the school grounds after classes adjourn. Burton Elementary has 360 students ranging from Pre- Kindergarten through 8th grade, many of whom live close enough that they walk to and from school, and they are all dismissed at the same time.
“I used to receive calls everyday from parents telling me that their child has been in a fight or been bullied... these phones are reminding the students that even after school, we insist on good behavior,” said principal Janice Pitts of Burton Elementary. “This is a community problem and our hope is that the Cricket phones will give us another tool to encourage students to make the right choices. Just the mere presence of these Cricket phones will help so much.”
“This was an easy way for Cricket to get involved in the community and make a real impact,” said Kevin Jones, district director for Cricket. “We are always looking for opportunities to support Cincinnati, and this is just one of the ways we can contribute.” Cricket is seeking local schools in which it can support, and asks any school in need to call Julie Metzelaar at Mahan Advertising, 513.321.6632.
About Cricket
Cricket is a simple, affordable wireless service offering consumers and local businesses a flat-rate unlimited service over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Designed for customers whose basic and advanced wireless needs have not been met by traditional communications companies, Cricket is the pioneer of unlimited services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required. Cricket offers customers access to a variety of the latest devises and feature-rich mobile applications such as unlimited text, instant and picture messaging, Mobile Web, popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.
For an interview with Principal Pitts at Burton Elementary or Kevin Jones of Cricket Communications, call Julie Metzelaar at 513.321.6632
