Resolve and resourcefulness help connect students to devices and internet connectivity
As the first semester of the school year comes to a close, the Connecting Kids Nevada campaign is wrapping up a successful push to get devices and internet connectivity for Clark County School District (CCSD) students.
As of Dec. 11:
- 313,581 of CCSD’s 313,610 students were reached regarding their technology needs (compared to 66% of students who had been contacted as of Aug. 10).
- 313,290 CCSD students are connected to the internet (compared to 285,981 students who had connectivity as of Sept. 15).
- 313,461 CCSD students are either connected to a personal device or a CCSD-issued device (compared to 288,654 students who had devices as of Sept. 15).
Dec. 11 marked the last date of operation of the Connecting Kids Nevada campaign’s Family Support Center. During last week, a number of education leaders thanked the Family Support Center’s field agents, who also conducted home visits to reach students who hadn’t logged in for distance education.
Among those who dropped in via Zoom, and expressed their gratitude during the field agents’ daily 6:30 a.m. pre-briefing, were Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert, School Board Trustee Deanna L. Wright, CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara, and CCSD Chief Operating Officer Mike Casey.
The Family Support Center toll-free number, 1-888-616-2476, will remain active, Mon-Fri, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., through June 30, 2021, and families will be assisted by CCSD staff. The line will not be staffed during the Winter Break.
The number of students without devices or internet connectivity were reduced dramatically, owed partly to a recent door-to-door effort to knock on the doors of students who might not have reliable connectivity.
It was only four months ago that the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief, and Recovery Task Force, in coordination with CCSD and community partners, launched a statewide initiative to connect students with internet service and devices as the District initiated full-time distance education.
CCSD is grateful for the skill and success of the statewide task force, led by Chairman Jim Murren, Nevada State Board of Education President Elaine Wynn and the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, The Public Education Foundation, Communities in Schools, and all of the community partners of the Connecting Kids Nevada initiative. Local municipalities, including Clark County and the cities of North Las Vegas and Las Vegas, have also contributed by providing staff members to knock on doors of students who might not have reliable connectivity.