I don't know about you, but every day I think of one more business or situation that's been drastically changed due to the health crisis happening around the globe. It might not be the most optimistic of exercises, but it makes me more aware of the others who are truly suffering. This planet consists of so many varied people, all with different jobs and incomes and responsibilities. Some people are fighting with the possibility that their small business may not survive this time.
Schools are also a hot topic. For those of us with kids in school, suddenly there are pressures to homeschool. Teachers feel panicked over not being able to digitally teach the way they could in person. And for students who depended on school lunch as a way to get by, there was a panic that they may not be fed. Luckily, plenty of school districts have solved that issue by continuing to offer food to those in need. But what about the students who don't have internet access at home?
Even though the internet has become vitally important in our world, it's still a privilege. Hopefully, someday, service will be offered for free or a very discounted rate that more people can afford. For now, a school district in Texas is trying to solve the problem by equipping its buses with Wi-Fi. The buses are then placed in neighborhoods where the internet may be spotty or nonexistent. Having buses with Wi-Fi is key in making sure children are still able to learn.
The plan was figured out by the Austin Independent School District in Texas. The district equipped 110 buses with Wi-Fi and sent them to areas that may not have it. The free access to the internet is intended to help children in these neighborhoods from falling behind on learning. Since socialization in some form is more important than ever, the Wi-Fi will also help them with that.
Of course, someone has to pay for the service. Everything has been provided thanks to a $600,000 grant from wireless provider Kajeet. There are also limitations to make sure nobody takes advantage of the gift. For one, the Wi-Fi is available only between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
That may sound limiting, but those are the hours that many of the district's schools are typically operational for. It's giving students the ability to learn at the same level as they would have if schools were open. The Wi-Fi is open and available for students to use on their computers.
The Wi-Fi will hopefully reach the homes of those who need it, but students may have to work outside, keeping appropriate social distance when they do. "Ideally we want [students] to be able to stay inside,” Kevin Schwartz, chief technology officer for AISD, said, per Scary Mommy. "For some people they may need to come toward the bus."
That means it's also important for parents to remind their children about the importance of social distancing. It may be hard for some children to truly understand the severity of the situation. Just like us, they're literally living through a historic moment right now and may not comprehend how germs can spread.
The district also passed out guides so that families can understand the purpose of the buses a little better. Supposedly, the Wi-Fi works best if students work within 300 feet of the bus. The students aren't expected to get inside the bus — they should stay inside their homes if they can, because safety is still the first priority.
For neighborhoods that have large apartment complexes instead of single-family homes and duplexes, multiple buses are scheduled to visit the neighborhood. That'll help ensure that everyone has the access they need. It seems like the school district put a lot of thought into how to best benefit everyone.
That said, it's still a work in progress. If a student doesn't gain Wi-Fi access but should, the district is still figuring out how to make that possible. It's not perfect just yet, but it's truly a step in the right direction. In the situation we're in now, all of us are already feeling like we're falling behind. This service will help prevent Austin-area students from feeling the same way.
So many schools are in a bind over what to do in regard to school activities. Many states have closed school for the rest of the year, while others are depending on distance learning. Even after the social distancing rules are lifted, it's possible that regular schools may choose to continue distance learning.
Even if this isn't the case, it's still great for communities to figure out distance learning. It's important for every organization to figure out how to function if something like this were to happen again. While we're all feeling a bit down, at least we're learning how to prepare for another global event like this.
The Wi-Fi buses are also a reminder as to how important school is. Teachers do a tremendous amount of work every day educating many young minds, and they use a lot of different tools to do it. For some kids, schools are their best outlet for socialization.
For others, as mentioned before, schools provide a guaranteed meal. For students who don't have good relationships with their parents, school is also a way for them to connect and confide in trustworthy adults if they're having serious problems at home. School is a way for everyone to grow.
While many people focus on kids missing out on big events, like the prom and spring concerts, it's important to think about the others who might need school as their emotional outlet. This situation is a reminder that, for some, even having a good connection to Wi-Fi is a luxury. Thinking about those people and trying to find solutions is incredibly important.
The Austin Independent School District should be applauded for its efforts to think ahead, and think of those less fortunate. If you live in a situation that has similar issues, this idea might be something to suggest to your school district. The internet is more than just a place to read articles and post on social media — it's also a way to connect with important influences and educational resources.
