MPS Foundation is Raising Money to Give Students Free Access to WiFI
Even though many of us already knew this, our Black and Brown students aren’t being supplied with the same resources and tools as their white counterparts. Since the school year abruptly ended in person and picked back up online, society finally began to realize the technology gap our children are facing. It was made obvious that our students have a lack of access to the internet.
Many children weren’t able to reach their full potential because of something as simple as wifi. To avoid this happening with the start of the next school year, the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation is currently in phase one of their #ConnectMilwaukee campaign and they’re looking to raise $1 million to supply students with access to wifi through hotspot mobile devices to 5,000 students for a year.
Wendell Willis. (Picture provided by MPS Foundation)
According to a press release, the Foundation will be matching MPS’s $1 million investment into the campaign. Phase one is all about the students and families.
In the second phase, the Foundation will work with MPS and more than 100 schools to identify needs for online learning, which includes teacher technology education and training, technological enablement grants, and community technology usage support.
The devices can be tracked and shut down if lost or stollen. If this does happen, the student can get another device. As soon as the student is given the device, it can be immediately used.
MPS Foundation Executive Director Wendell Willis said having access to the internet is a basic need just like running water and having a meal to eat everyday. He said anyone who has a job right now, technology is involved in some way.
Willis and the Foundation are dedicated to closing this gap and increasing access to our students.
“The Foundation is invested into helping people be productive,” said Willis.
More information on #ConnectMilwaukee and the MPS Foundation, click here.