A couple of months ago, we announced MPS Foundation's #ConnectMilwakuee, an initiative to closed the digital divide for MPS students. Today, the foundation has reached its Phase 1 goal of $1 million to help ensure every MPS student has a laptop and internet access. Now, the foundation is moving to Phase II of #ConnectMilwaukee.
Phase II of #ConnectMilwaukee focuses on technical support for MPS students and staff, which is very crucial to the success of remote learning.
From the press release:
In response to this need, MPS Foundation is now launching Phase II of the #ConnectMilwaukee campaign which focuses on additional technical support for MPS students and staff. This summer the Foundation delivered over 7,000 internet hotspots to families in need and hundreds of requests are still coming in. Now, the hardest challenge is providing tech support to over 75,000 students and over 5,000 teachers. The District is doing the best they can to answer the call, but they need our help. Based on regular conversations with MPS, the Foundation is focused on funding more IT staff, help desk support, and training for teachers.
The fundraising goal for Phase II is $1million and the Foundation has already received its first substantial donation of $25,000 from Northwestern Mutual Foundation.
“This year has shown us how difficult helping a child learn online from home can be,” said Wendell Willis, MPS Foundation, Executive Director. “Providing equity means lessening the burden on our teachers and parents who have adapted very quickly and learned how to teach our children in a completely different way. When we provide the necessary support, training and tools, we know our students will be successful.”
PHASE II will help fund these vital components that were not in the MPS budget:
- Tech support for online learning platforms
- Additional training and coaching for teachers
- Personalized support to students and families
- Adding help desk support staff for parents
- Adding IT staff
To learn more about #ConnectMilwaukee's Phase II, visit MPS Foundation's website.
