Northeast Utilities Helps Hartford Public High School Power Up for Opening Day
On Tuesday, Aug. 24, a team of 19 employees from Northeast Utilities’ (NU) IT Department participated in a special United Way "Day of Caring" at Hartford Public High School and the Academy of Engineering and Green Technology (AoEGT). NU employees performed a massive, one-day installation of computer hardware and software in time for the school year that begins on Monday, Aug. 30.
Northeast Utilities' "dream team" of IT professionals surrounds AoEGT's Dr. Jill Carey and NU's Mike Ahern (second row, sixth and seventh from left).
Although United Way’s official Day of Caring occurs later in the fall, this important school mission couldn’t wait. Dr. Jill Carey, principal of AoEGT, had asked the Academy’s advisory board members if they could help with updating and installing computer hardware and software applications. Board member Mike Ahern, NU’s vice president of Utility Services, stepped up, volunteering the company’s IT staff to get computers for the students and teachers up and running in time for the first day of the new school year.
"I could not be more appreciative of this dream team that swept into our building and in just one day readied over 300 computers for our students and teachers," says Carey. "This will undoubtedly ensure the smooth opening of the school year."
One of the dream team's professionals was Carlos Branco, NU’s IT security architect, for whom the visit to Hartford Public High School was a homecoming of sorts. Branco is a member of the school's class of 1988.
"I was delighted to come back and see how much the school has evolved,” he said. “As a member of the 350th graduating class, I can say that this school has a lot of personal significance for me. I can easily attribute much of my career success to some important lessons I learned at Hartford High. I can't imagine the kind of person I would have become without this rich inner-city experience, but I know I've become a better person because of it."
Working with school district IT representative Jared Flagg, the NU group was able to set up far beyond their goal of 150 new computers. In fact, they were able to help other areas of the school with their IT infrastructure needs. This included:
• Setting up and deploying over 120 PCs for teachers and faculty
• Setting up and deploying over 50 Macintosh computers for teachers and faculty
• Setting up and deploying 14 iMacs for the computer lab
• Promoting volunteerism and teamwork
• Raising awareness of the needs of the Hartford Public School System
"The experience was a positive one that allowed us to capitalize on the knowledge and diversity of experienced NU IT professionals and their willing energy," said Flagg. "Chemistry and organization in one package is hard to find, and we struck gold.”
This was just one more example of how public/private sector partnerships can create win-win situations and benefit different constituencies.
"This successful effort continues NU's long tradition of community service in Hartford," said NU’s Ahern.
To find out how your business can help improve Connecticut’s schools, e-mail Dayl Walker or call (860) 244-1935.
Editor’s note: At the invitation of Dr. Steven Adamowski, Hartford’s superintendent of schools, CBIA's Education Foundation helped create the Academy of Engineering and Green Technology at Hartford Public High School. CBIA staff and member companies, along with community members, parents, students, and faculty at the high school, college, and university levels, worked to plan and design this small learning community and continue to be actively engaged in the school's programs and activities.
