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Donations, gov’t funds help Homewood schools buy student devices

More than $40,000 in donations from three organizations and $195,000 in government aid will help Homewood School District 153 overcome the digital divide that became obvious as students switched to remote learning.

Gifts of $22,000 from Foundation 153, $18,000 from CN Railway and $1,500 from Woodland Community Church in Homewood will cover the purchase of 100 devices. Another  $195,000 in federal CARES Act funds, supporting initiatives during this coronavirus pandemic, will cover 500 devices with cases, the necessary software licenses and insurance costs.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, District 153 had enough computers and devices for students to use at school. When schools were ordered closed on March 17, district staff found that some students had no way to do remote learning. The technology department distributed about 350 devices for students and about 20 devices for district assistants to use at home.

“We are so grateful for those donations. As we were passing out devices at the start (of the quarantine) to families who needed them, it just reinforced the need, in my mind, that every kid has what they need,” said Beth White, director of technology. “Those donations mean so much to us. We’ll be able to purchase those (100) devices.”

For administrators, the shutdown raised concerns about learning inequity among students. Superintendent Dale Mitchell applauded the technology staff for their efforts at overcoming that problem by preparing devices for at-home learning, but staff realized there needed to be a long-term solution.

Now students will have devices at the start of the next school year, he said.

The new money will mean the district will be giving sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Hart School devices for in-school and at-home use. The staff is working on a plan for Churchill’s third, fourth and fifth graders to have their own computers, White explained. 

She said about 140 iPads now at Churchill will be assigned to Willow School for the kindergarten, first and second graders. White noted Willow doesn’t necessarily need a computer for each student for all day learning. Younger students need books and materials because they are still developing their fine motor skills.

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