Baltimore City Schools Offer Free Wireless Hotspots To Families

BALTIMORE, MD – As schools across Maryland consider how they will educate students this fall as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues, Baltimore City Public Schools is assisting families who do not have internet service at home with remote learning.

The district announced this week that it will distribute a number of free wireless hotspots to traditional school children, officials wrote in a news release. The hotspots, purchased through T-Mobile’s EmpowerEd 2.0 program, provides unlimited 4G LTE services for up to 10 users simultaneously. Each family that needs wireless access will be provided one hotspot.

Families may pick up the hotspots at district headquarters at 200 E. North Ave. from 10 a.m.- 2p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Students in need of a laptop computer may pick one up at that time as well, school officials indicated. Parents are asked to enter the Re-engagement Center on Guildford St.

All individuals picking up a hotspot must wear a face-covering and only the parents of guardian of students under the age of 18 may pick up the device and must present a valid government or student ID. Students over age 18 must present a student or government ID. Charter school students are not eligible to receive a hotspot and should instead connect with their school teachers to inquire about technology needs.

The district has been providing the hotspots for students enrolled in summer learning programs but announced that it will continue to do so throughout the upcoming school year. Anyone with questions about the program or distribution of hotspots can call the district’s summer learning hotline at 443-984-2001. The hotline is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

This article originally appeared on the Baltimore Patch