IDAHO FALLS - Idaho Business for Education (IBE) has reached out to school district administrators about how we can help ensure ongoing learning for students across the state.
Two major needs were identified and have become IBE's temporary initiatives:
- Accumulate technology devices such as laptop computers and tablets that can facilitate continued learning from home.
- Get internet connectivity for these devices, ultimately within each students’ home.
Regional IBE steering committees are working directly with their local school districts and communities to achieve these goals. Our Eastern Idaho Committee represents roughly 24 districts from Blackfoot, north to Fremont, east to Teton, and west to Challis and Salmon. We have been in contact with our area districts. Their most pressing need right now getting students connected to the internet, especially those in geographically remote areas.
Here is how you can support this effort:
- Donate a device – we need functioning laptops, tablets, iphone/Android phones and wireless hotspots. Devices will be cleaned, hard drives wiped, and set up for student use.
- Volunteer your time – you can help with picking up and distributing devices to school districts. All volunteer activities will be planned with protocols in place for social distancing and personal health safety in mind.
- Donate funds – funds will help build internet connectivity where it is needed. There will be two options for donating funds. 1. You can donate to IBE’s statewide fund which will available soon or 2. choose to sponsor specific area projects as needed.
If you are interesting in supporting any of these efforts, please contact Aaron at aaron.johnson@bateman-hall.com for specific details on how to donate or volunteer. Our area school districts and IBE thank you for your support of on-going education for our students.