(September 4, 2019) Superintendent Terry J. Dade greeted students at Wilson Magnet High School on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 on the first day of school where eligible students in grades 9 – 12 have been issued Chromebooks for free reliable home internet access. This is an initiative happening Districtwide for students in all RCSD high schools who don’t already have the access. This is being made possible through the 1Million Project Foundation, a non-profit group that uses the Sprint PCS network to help students achieve their full potential by giving them devices and free-high speed, mobile internet access.
Students will be able to take home their District-issued Chromebook with new hardware from the 1Million Project Foundation in order to obtain internet access. The service will be available to students through all four years of high schools. Students are being surveyed now to determine the hardware an internet access needs.
This project could impact as many as 8,000 students in the District. There is no charge to parents or the student, and no personal information about families or students are being captured while they participate in the program. Students will not be able to access inappropriate content as every device has a filter that is compliant with the Free Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Parents have received a letter explaining the program and their eligibility. The goal of this initiative is to help eliminate the homework gap for one million high school students across the country. The District hopes parents and children will see the academic benefits of this opportunity.
