Bethel Supt. of Schools Dr. Carver Gives Update on Closed Schools & Distance Learning Details

Report by Paula Antolini, March 16, 2020, 12:21PM EDT

Update letter from Dr. Christine Carver, Bethel Superintendent of Schools:

March 16, 2020

Dear Parents, Staff, and Students,

As predicted, the situation has evolved at a rapid pace. As you are probably already aware, the Governor has closed all schools in the state until March 31st. At that point, he will reevaluate the situation to determine when we can reopen. The state has also provided new guidance on distance learning.

It is our hope that we can have a distance learning program up and running by Monday, March 23, 2020. This would count as school days and therefore, unlike supplemental learning, students would be required to complete assignments. We will have future communications shortly regarding a distance learning program, including deployment of our Chromebooks. In the meantime, we will post the supplemental materials that were sent home last Thursday on our Digital Learning Site for extra practice. We will be working this week to refine our distance learning plan to implement next week. We ask for your patience at this time, as our teachers will be working to prepare those materials. Please do not contact them asking for additional supplemental materials.

In our recent survey, many students indicated that they have a device at home they can use for distance learning. If you do not have a device your child can use for distance learning or you have multiple children and not enough devices, please complete this form. If you do not have internet access in your home, please complete this form and we will assist you in enrolling in one of the programs below.

The Federal Communications Commission recently announced an initiative to ensure that families have the internet access they need to conduct business and complete schoolwork as they stay home to protect against COVID-19. The Keep America Connected Pledge asks U.S. telephone and broadband service providers to agree for the next 60 days:

1. not to terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic
2. waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic
3. open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them

Many broadband and telecommunication companies have already agreed to the pledge, including AT&T, CenturyLink, Comcast, Cox Communications, Google Fiber, Sprint, T- Mobile, and Verizon. Families that need assistance are encouraged to contact their service provider. The following resources may assist you as you begin exploring available options.

1. Comcast announced plans to ensure low-income families have internet access, including 60 days of free service for new customers and increased internet speeds for qualifying customers. Apply online at https://apply.internetessentials.com/
2. Charter will make its services available for free to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have internet through the company. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395
3. Altice is providing the same offer as Charter. To enroll call 1-866-200-9522
4. AT&T – To determine eligibility, call 1-800-288-2020 for AT&T broadband, residential wireless or small business services or 611 from your AT&T device for wireless.
5. CoxCommunications- Apply online at https://www.cox.com/residential-shop/wls/order-cox-services.cox
6. A number of carriers have suspended home internet data caps in response to the pandemic.

We will be sending more information in the next few days. In the meantime, stay safe and let us know if you have any questions or concerns, carverc@bethel.k12.ct.us.

Sincerely,

Christine L. Carver, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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