UISD’s WIFI -Express Buses Ready to Roll Into Service
Written by admin, Aug 20, 2020, 0 Comments
Courtesy Alex Meyer,
(Laredo, Texas)-The current pandemic has drastically changed the way our students learn. This year, the majority of them will rely on asynchronous remote instruction at home for several weeks. UISD is stepping up to provide them with access to the internet at a time when digital equity has become indispensable. In order to meet the need for safe and reliable internet connectivity, the district will deploy its fleet of 40 Wi-Fi Express school buses throughout the city. Most will be stationed where there is a high concentration of students without internet service at home. Each bus is equipped with a router that emits a “hotspot” internet connection for students who reside within a quarter mile radius of the signal. All WI-FI –Express buses are easily identified by the distinctive banners displayed on the exterior of the vehicles. The buses will go into service beginning on the first day of school which is Monday, August 24, 2020.
The internet connection from these buses will be available Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Students and/or their parents or guardians may also opt to get internet access by parking their vehicle at their respective campus. Access to internet service at all UISD campuses is also Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, the district’s Information Technology (I.T.), Department will be providing technical support. Parents and students can access assistance by submitting an Information Technology Support Form by visiting the following link:
https://www.uisd.net/287376_2
If there is no internet access, parents and students may call (956) 473-6450 to receive technical support Mon. – Fri. from 7:30 am to 5:00 p.m. Staff from the I.T department will try to troubleshoot the problem remotely, and a microcomputer technician will determine if it is necessary to take the chrome book to the campus for repair. In such cases, the district will provide a chrome book loaner during the repair period. The technician will contact the parent once repairs have been completed so that the parents can return to the campus to pick up the chrome book and return the loaner.
