Page 9 - COVID Guiding Document

Modified Distance Learning

Computers & Internet Access

• The goal is to ensure that each student in need has access to a computer with a camera &

access to the Internet in order to participate in distance learning.

• More than 82,000 computers, in addition to the more than 62,000 distributed to

students in the spring, were purchased and will be delivered through October.

• Internet Access:
The District has resources to support up to 20,000 families that have an

identified need for assistance with Internet Access. Please make sure your

child’s school has accurate and up to date contact information to schedule

distribution of the following where needed. The following video can support

you in updating your contact information:

◦ 15,000 Comcast Internet Essentials Sponsorships for eligible families
◦ Must live in a residence served by Comcast

◦ Requires an activation code when completing the Internet Essentials
application provided by the school

◦ Must meet Comcast criteria for eligibility using Free/Reduced Lunch
◦ 5,000 T-Mobile Hotspots (for families that are not eligible for Comcast service)

◦ Requires a completed survey/questionnaire submitted to school
◦ Distributed at school site

• County WiFi Partnership - Beginning September 2020
◦ $20m County CARES Act funds to provide infrastructure for Internet access

◦ 50 square miles of coverage across PBC with 11 Focus Areas

◦ 70+ school centers host WiFi base radios from TEN towers
◦ 25,000 FRL students will be provided access to Mesh WiFi in local community
◦ County-wide public/private partnership

• Education Foundation fundraising goal of $1.8 million for WiFi Extenders

School District of Palm Beach County PAGE 9
ICSP Updated 2/9/21