$45,000 COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER UNDERWAY FOR HOME WIFI ACCESS FOR K-12 STUDENTS
Source: Amherst Regional Public Schools
The Amherst Regional Public Schools (ARPS), working with the district’s Parent Guardian Organization (PGO), has launched an effort to provide mobile hotspots to one hundred low-income families currently without internet access.
Last month the state mandated that all public schools close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing districts to explore other teaching models. This week, ARPS will be implementing a distance learning plan that requires computers and home internet access. Since schools closed in mid-March, ARPS teachers and staff have learned that at least 100 ARPS families are without home WiFi and/or computers, confirming a long-suspected “digital divide” in the community.
ARPS has purchased mobile WiFi hotspots and is funding monthly data plans through the end of the school year for these families. ARPS is also loaning out Chromebooks so that all students can fully participate in online classes and meetings as long as Massachusetts schools remain physically closed.
To help cover these unplanned, significant costs, the ARPS Parent and Guardian Organization (PGO) launched an online fundraiser at charity.gofundme.com/arps-pgo last week with a goal of $45,000. Thanks to the community’s generosity, the ARPS PGO has already raised over $38,000. Many of the donors have chosen to donate $110, the district’s cost of purchasing each mobile hotspot.
“We are very grateful for the generous outpouring of support this fundraiser is getting from the community,” said ARPS PGO Treasurer Tracy Zafian. “We know these are challenging times for many families, but hopefully this fundraiser will help by enabling students currently without home WiFi to stay more connected to their teachers, their classmates, and friends, and to access learning opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Donations of any amounts are welcome and are fully tax-deductible.
Online donations can be made here. Those who prefer to donate by mail, checks can be made out to “ARPS PGO” and sent to Tracy Zafian, ARPS PGO Treasurer, 51 Blue Hills Rd. Amherst, MA, 01002.
Any parents or guardians of ARPS students in need of WiFi access, a mobile hotspot or Chromebook should contact Sasha Figueroa as soon as possible at figueroas@arps.org or (413) 351-7853 and provide their name and contact number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive the mobile hotspots?
Students attending any of the Amherst and Amherst Regional Public Schools who currently have no wifi access at home. Students receiving subsidized lunch are heavily overrepresented in the group of students without home wifi access.
What is the cost?
These costs are being paid by the District: $110 per device; monthly data fees of $40/device.
Why are the hotspots and monthly data so expensive?
We ordered the lowest cost hotspots that supply the requisite amount of data needed. We received a discount on the order; most new hotspots cost closer to $200/unit. There are two data plans available. One with limited data for $28/month or one with unlimited data for $40/month. Given the amount of data needed in the current, virtual environment (i.e. use of Google Classroom, Google Hangouts/Video conferencing, etc., it is estimated that the data would run out in 90 minutes using the limited plan. DESE (State) expectations are that students complete work for half the length of a typical school day, which exceeds 90 minutes.
My family has lost our internet service because we’re behind on our bills. Is my family still eligible?
Absolutely. The only prerequisite is not having home wifi access at the current time.
How do I sign up? Where and when can we pick up the chromebook and/or mobile hotspot? Can my child pick it up without me?
Some schools have lists of students who receive paper copies of newsletters, etc., because of a lack of wifi access. Other schools are compiling this data with teachers’ help right now. The District will be sending an automated phone call next week to allow other families to identify if they also have this need.There will be a pick-up location located outside the Amherst Regional Middle School (a drive-through model so no physical contact will occur) We are also exploring being able to drop the hot spots off during ARPS food delivery runs in certain parts of town. A parent/guardian will need to present to pick-up the mobile hotspot and/or chromebook (if needed).
How long will families have access to the hotspot devices and service? Will this depend on whether or not school reopens sometime later this spring (in May or June)?
If school reopens this spring we would anticipate that students will still need to have internet access at home to complete assignments. Families will be able to keep the devices through the end of the school year.