Kobo newest Peel board equity of access partner

Joins Filla, Dell Canada Inc., RCT in offering low-cost devices for families

TORONTO, Sept. 3, 2014 /CNW/ - As the school year —and back-to-school shopping—begins, the Peel District School Board is launching a new partner in its BYOD initiative. In an exclusive arrangement, Kobo Arc HD tablets with e-reader will be available to Peel families at up to half the retail cost.

Parents can visit www.peelschools.org/BYOD and click on "Buy Devices" to purchase Kobo multi-purpose Android™ tablets. Available are the Kobo Arc 7" HD tablet for $135 including shipping (retail price: $199) and the Kobo Arc 10" HD tablet for $199 including shipping (retail price: $399).

Notes Brian Woodland, director of communications and community relations, "We have committed to a range of products to make devices affordable for our families. It's great to see the deeply discounted pricing of the Kobo products. It'll put these high-quality tablets within reach for many of our students." 

"Kobo was created by readers, for readers and we work hard for those people who put reading at the centre of their lives," said Michael Tamblyn, president and chief content officer at Kobo. "We're very pleased to be able to offer great devices to families at great prices. Our tablets all have 'reading mode' which allows readers to turn off any distractions and immerse themselves in their books; as well, early readers can choose 'read along' features to help them learn, and any picture content looks amazing."

Kobo expands the line-up of low-cost devices available for Peel families. During the 2013-14 school year, the Peel board announced partnerships with the following technology providers:

• Dell Canada offers reduced pricing and extended warranty benefits on select laptops and tablets.
• Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) offers low-cost, quality refurbished computers to qualified low-income families. Desktops are available for $67.80 and laptops are available for $169.50, including software and two-year warranty.
• VIG Solutions offers families the Filla Sapphire 7 tablet for $55 plus shipping and handling.

"We continue to challenge the corporate sector to help us create greater equity of access to both technology and internet access for all students. It's great to see so many, including Kobo, respond to the opportunity. We appreciate their commitment to corporate responsibility," says Woodland. "We still look for others to join our work in creating the menu of options for families, especially in the area of low-cost Internet access, and we hope more companies will come forward."

To learn more about these special offers and access links to purchase devices, parents can visit www.peelschools.org/BYOD.

The Peel board serves more than 153,000 students in kindergarten to grade 12. Operating 245 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, the Peel board is the largest employer in Peel. For more information, visit www.peelschools.org.

SOURCE: Peel District School Board

Media contacts: Brian Woodland, Director of Communications & Community Relations Support Services, 905-890-1010 ext. 2812 or [email protected]; Tracy Nesdoly, Senior Director, Communications, Kobo, 416-977-8737 ext. 3598 or [email protected]; Reference: Anne-Marie Brown, Communications Officer, 905-890-1010 ext. 2626 or [email protected]