Troy, NY – Troy Public Schools and Access Troy are co-sponsoring a public presentation about the many ways that Troy schools and our kids stand to benefit from the City of Troy’s current negotiations with Time Warner Cable. The goal of the event is to bring awareness about what cable access is, why it is beneficial to schools, and how citizens can help to make cable access a reality right here in Troy. “Access: Youth Voices” will be held February 15, 6pm – 8pm at Doyle Middle School (Auditorium), 1976 Burdett Avenue, Troy NY. The event will be hosted by Steve Jensen, Principal of Doyle Middle School and a board member of Access Troy.

“Access: Youth Voices” will be a lively and educational event and a chance to stategize new ways to prepare the future leaders of Troy in this Information Age, to save money for Troy City Schools, and develop innovative educational models for our kids. Some of today's most innovative and educational television programs are made by youth for cable access television. Come and see examples of this and find out more!

Special Guest Andrew Lynn, Youth Education Coordinator at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, will give Troy residents a snapshot of a typical day inside a state of the art cable access center. Lynn will show videos and slideshows demonstrating what high quality educational access looks like. Other presentations include: Greg Hansen and students from Troy High School’s Media Production Classes (who worked this year with an artist in residence sponsored by the Arts Center and funded by MetLife and Troy Booster Club); Penny Lane and students from The Ark After School Program (funded by Troy Housing Authority and other organizations); Jim Zappen of Connected Kids (sponsored by RPI and the City of Troy, with funding from Rubin Community Fellows Program and other organizations); Steve Pierce of Media Alliance; and Access Troy, the not for profit entity established by the City in 2003 to implement and oversee the proposed Cable Access Center in Troy.

To RSVP, contact Penny Lane, 518-527-9521, lanep@rpi.edu. Directions to Doyle Middle School (from points south of Troy): 87 North to exit 7 and take Route 7 East; Take route 7 East, cross the Hudson River, and enter Troy; Go to the 5th traffic light and turn right on Burdett Ave; Travel down Burdett approx 1 mile; Doyle Middle School and Troy High School are on the left; Come in the Doyle Middle School main entrance and follow signs to the event.