Guilford County is among several school systems across North Carolina launching WiFi hotspots for students as remote learning continues during COVID-19 restrictions. They hope the additions will ease the burden for families, especially those facing poverty challenges.
The school system is also partnering with community groups to provide meals and other services. This includes buying refurbished laptops for students who need them.
The Guilford Education Alliance, which is a nonprofit organization, has been able to buy thousands of the devices at the price of $70 each.
“Those students are being gifted those laptops. They won't have to return them to make sure that they are able to participate in learning while schools are closed,” says GCS Superintendent Sharon Contreras.
Contreras says Internet connectivity is also an issue for many families. Therefore, the district is providing several free outdoor WiFi hotspots.
“We are able to put them in areas and in school parking lots, particularly those around public housing developments, and that will assist us in ensuring that more families have access to online learning,” Contreras says.
Guilford County is the state's third-largest school district. More than 65 percent of the students there qualify for free, or reduced-price meals.
You can find a list of GCS WiFi hotspot sites here.
For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here.
*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news