ADVISORY/Chase Launches Most Extensive Home-School Computer Network Initiative in the Nation at Ditmas Intermediate School in Brooklyn.

City/Education/Technology Editors

ADVISORY ... Wednesday (Oct. 18, 2000)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2000

EVENT: Chase Manhattan Bank in partnership with the New York City Board of
Education will launch the most extensive home-school computer network in the
nation at Ditmas Intermediate School (IS 62) in Brooklyn, New York. William B.
Harrison, Jr., Chase Chairman and CEO, and Harold Levy, Chancellor, New York
City Board of Education will address an auditorium filled with Ditmas students,
parents, teachers, school administrators and Chase employee volunteers to
kick-off the "wiring" of Ditmas and unveil the school's new website. DATE:
Wednesday, October 18, 2000 TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. PLACE: Ditmas
Intermediate School (IS 62) Auditorium 700 Cortelyou Road at East 7th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn 11218 718-941-5450 BACKGROUND: Others see a "digital
divide," Chase sees a "digital opportunity." Chase's objective is to focus on
one school first - to go an inch wide and a mile deep, matching the resources
of Chase with Ditmas and wrapping it end-to-end in technology to help improve
student performance. The education model created at Ditmas with the full
support of the New York City Board of Education should serve as a blueprint for
other corporations to follow. The Chase program, called ON DEC (Our
Neighborhood Digital Education Community), uses technology to enhance the
teaching and learning experience by providing all 1,340 students with free home
computers, all Ditmas staff with free laptops and by creating a new school
website. 1,500 Chase employees who are volunteering their time as part of the
sixth annual Chase Global Days of Service will be installing the computers in
students' homes and providing ongoing support in more than 30 languages.

Ditmas was chosen because it is a large neighborhood school

serving a diverse group of students from 44 countries - 90% of

whom are eligible for free and reduced price lunch. Additionally,

Chase sought a school with a history of successful external

partnerships. Ditmas is the only school to apply for and receive

funding under three Chase grant programs.