Mediacom will provide low-income families with internet for the upcoming school year. | Pixabay
Mediacom will provide low-income families with internet for the upcoming school year. | Pixabay
The West Des Moines Community School District and the West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation have teamed up with Mediacom to provide internet for low-income families in the district at no cost to them.
The district allowed parents to give their opinion on back-to-school reopening plans. An overwhelming 75% have chosen classroom learning while just 24% have chosen to learn at home online. While collecting this information, it became apparent just how many families do not have access to internet at their homes.
Through the adopt-a-family program, a $120 donation provides internet for one family for one year. Families can indicate whether they need this service during the enrollment process.
Thirty-seven percent of Des Moines Community School District students qualify for free and reduced lunch programs.
“We also know that our most vulnerable population that which may have lower socioeconomic status or that lack of technology may not have even enrolled yet,” Laine Mendenhall-Buck, Director of School and Community Relations within the West Des Moines Community School District, said to KDSM.
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