Comcast Partnership Leverages Platforms to Increase Student and Family Outreach

August 9th, 2019

HCPSS staff and representatives from Comcast hold a plaque commemorating a new partnership.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has partnered with Comcast to develop communications strategies to inform and connect students and their families with supports and opportunities offered by HCPSS and the community. The partnership was formalized with an official partnership signing on Tuesday, July 30 at Oakland Mills Middle School, Columbia, Maryland.

Under the terms of the agreement, Comcast representatives will collaborate with HCPSS Communications staff to implement initiatives that increase awareness of the variety of resources available to students who qualify for the Free and Reduced Meals program (FARMs). Initiatives include creating Comcast Newsmakers interviews featuring HCPSS leadership staff and providing collateral materials for a HCPSS resources toolkit for students and families.

HCPSS and Comcast representatives sign a partnership agreement.

The Bright Minds Foundation is teaming with Comcast to make affordable internet service available to students and their families. The Comcast Internet Essentials program offers in-home internet service to eligible families at a reduced cost.

Howard County Board of Education Member Vicky Cutroneo, HCPSS Deputy Superintendent Karalee Turner-Little, Director Food and Nutrition Services Brian Ralph, Senior Communications Strategist Brian Bassett, Community & Workforce Engagement Specialist Alli Hedden, Oakland Mills Middle School Assistant Principal Regina Coleman and Bright Minds Foundation Executive Director Liz Crammond joined Comcast Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs Joshua Bokee to sign the formal agreement at the July 30 event.

Comcast is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses: Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses. Comcast offers eligible students and their families Internet Essentials, an affordable program including in-home internet service, Wi-Fi router, free training and more.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office has united schools with more than 1,000 businesses and community organizations to enhance the educational experience of Howard County students. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.