Dear ARMS Families,
In collaboration with all of the other ARPS school PGOs, we launched a fundraiser on April 3 to provide wifi routers and data plans to families in the ARPS district who did not have home internet service. (See Below). With the community’s support we reached our goal of $25,000 in just 4 days - wow! We thank everyone who has contributed so generously to our campaign at such a critical time.
However, we now understand that the need for home wifi access for students will extend well beyond this school year, especially for middle school and high school students. After speaking with the ARPS school district, we have extended our campaign goal to $45,000 to help fund this longer-term need. This goal is based on expected costs for next school year.
We know there are many local families struggling right now, as well as other critical needs in our community and are grateful for all donations. We appreciate you helping us close the digital divide and your support for more equitable access to learning at home. Thank you again!
Donate Online Here: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/arps-pgo
Keep up the ARMS spirit!
The PGO team
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Students need internet access in their homes in order to fully benefit from the distance learning now being offered by our public schools in this time of crisis - but we know that about 100 families in the Amherst Regional school district do not have the financial means to pay for it. We’re asking for your help in closing this gap as soon as possible.
With public schools closed until May 4, and quite possibly longer, the state is requiring school districts to provide distance learning opportunities to all students. Having no internet access at home is a major barrier to accessing this learning. Based on this state mandate, and in support of the district’s equity goals, the ARPS District is loaning mobile wifi hotspots with monthly data plans to families unable to pay for them (as well as Chromebooks if needed) so that all students can fully participate in the district’s online classes and class meetings for as long as our school buildings remain closed.
The district estimates the cost of these hotspots and monthly data will be close to $25,000. The ARPS PGOs are helping the district by raising money to contribute to the cost. This is an unexpected, unprecedented and critical need. We know this is a difficult time financially and emotionally for many families. If you are able to contribute, here’s how you can help (all donations are tax deductible):
* Sponsor a student by funding a mobile hotspot for at-home distance learning ($110)
* Fund one month of wifi access ($40)
* Make a monthly, recurring donation to provide ongoing wifi access ($40/month)
Alternatively, you can send a check made out to the "ARPS PGO" to Tracy Zafian, ARPS PGO Treasurer, 51 Blue Hills Road, Amherst, MA 01002
Thank you for helping provide all ARPS students with equal access for distance learning. We are grateful.
The ARPS PGOs, including the
Wildwood PGO, Fort River PGO, Crocker Farm PGO, ARMS PGO, and ARHS PGO
More information on ARPS's Internet Access for All Students initiative is available in the Superintendent's 4/3/2020 e-newsletter to families and at this FAQ doc:
https://tinyurl.com/smctsof
