Some school systems in North Carolina are not ready for virtual learning as a way to prevent Covid-19 infections. School leaders in Northampton County still hope to connect every student to their teachers from a home device with Internet access.
One problem they face is connectivity. "We realize that we do have some areas that are Internet deserts," said Dr. Pamela Chamblee, superintendent of the Northampton School System.
There are other challenges they face before classes start on Monday August 17th. The system has committed to remote learning through the first nine weeks.
They have less than two weeks to make sure every student has the technology they need to connect with their teachers online. "We are so determined that our students will get what they need to be able to access the learning," Chamblee said.
Northampton County is listed as the tenth poorest in the state. For comparison, Northampton’s student population is just one-percent the size of Wake County’s which is the second richest in North Carolina.
Even with far fewer students, seventy-percent of Northampton students don’t have a computer device and the same number lack Internet access.
Chamblee says the county school system has purchased Internet access points, also called WiFi HotSpots. It’s something that students living in internet desert areas of the county can take home.
The State Highway Patrol donated 236 laps for Northampton students. "The donations really helped a lot and we’re grateful for that," Chamblee said.
The school system also applied for ESSER funding. Esser stands for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief" fund. That funding will help provide for more Internet devices and services for families.
Also part of the strategy to connect students living in areas without access, the system has organized mobile "Bus Cradles". "That we would put on our buses and we would drive those buses again to those areas that are in need of Internet service, " said Chamblee.
She says the school system still faces some challenges. For now, Chamblee says, "We feel like we can accommodate what our needs are in this area at this point."
Getting technology and access to the students is just the first step, said Chamblee. They also need to train many of the parents and students how to use their devices and how to successfully connect with "remote learning."
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Northampton school system leaders face tech challenges to equip every student with devices and access for virtual learning - WRAL.com
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