The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation granted $1,051,000 to Flint Community Schools (FCS) to purchase additional technology the district needs to continue delivering educational content to students in a remote learning environment.
The funds will be used to purchase 600 iPads, 1,200 Chromebooks and 1,400 mobile Wi-Fi hot spots to help students and families stay connected with educational, afterschool, community education and health and wellness resources.
The additional funding will ensure all FCS students have the technology they need for learning at home. The hot spots will support students who do not have high speed internet at home capable of supporting virtual learning, as well as students who are cared for by multiple family members or neighbors and need to have internet access wherever they’re learning. When students are able to return to school, they also will have access to some additional devices available in school buildings.
The grant also will be used to upgrade decade-old wireless access points in the district’s schools and its administration building. This will allow school staff, as well as staff operating YouthQuest and community education programs, to have more reliable internet access within the schools.
“Every student deserves to stay connected to the resources they need to be successful,” said Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation.
“We hope these funds will help students and families in our community have access to technology when they need it most,” White addeed.
The latest funding is an increase to an earlier grant of $163,000 that Mott awarded to FCS in April to purchase 800 mobile Wi-Fi hot spots and 1,500 Mobile Guard applications. This grantmaking supports Mott’s goal of strengthening the capacity of FCS to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
“Through the generous support of the Mott Foundation, we have been able to secure critical access to technology, which makes virtual learning possible for all Flint Community Schools students,” said Superintendent Anita Steward.
“This additional funding will allow us to prepare for in-person technology needs, expand accessibility in the school buildings and rapidly replace devices throughout the year,” Steward added. “It’s just another way our essential community partners are helping us stay Flint focused and ensure families can overcome any obstacles they may encounter.”
For more information, parents and guardians can contact their child’s school principal.
