USD 457 Provides Cellphones Through Grant To Connect Students For Continuous Learning

Garden City Public Schools is working to ensure that students have a connection to the internet so they can access the digital materials from the district for continuous learning from home.  The district has provided cellphones to create hotspots in the homes so they can access the digital materials through the internet. 

The district has distributed 152 smartphones to help 252 students in second through 12th grade that are using iPads for continuous instruction from the district.  In late March the district was looking at data hotspots in the community but before the district had finalized its continuous learning plan all the hotspots were taken in the community.  The district identified families in need that couldn’t access the internet after reviewing surveys that were conducted by teachers. 

The district received a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation for $23,000 to purchase 200 smartphones to create hotspots for families that are without internet access.  The district is working to make sure that all students have equitable access to the digital resources and materials that teachers are delivering through the district’s continuous learning plan.

The Garden City Public Schools Technology Department has set up a Technology Help Hotline at 620-805-7178.  The hotline is for families that need assistance with technology for delivery of instruction to students.  The hotline is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Families can also visit the Parent Resources site at www.gckschools.com/coronavirus_info/parentresources to help parents in providing instruction to their children.