Hiway Credit Union Foundation recently donated $5,250 to the Saint Paul Public School District to purchase 21 Wi-Fi hotspots to assist families with distance learning. The hotspots will be used by students and families in the District who currently do not have reliable internet access.
“Our Foundation was established to improve the quality of life within our communities by supporting their overall wellness. Education and financial support are a few ways we accomplish this,” said Christine Cordell, Hiway Foundation Chair and Hiway SVP of Organizational Effectiveness. “During this time of ‘distance learning’, our students, teachers and schools are being asked to operate in an unprecedented manner. Our goal was to ease their burden and allow the faculty and students to refocus on what’s important, supporting children and continuing education. We are confident our donation meets a true need for some students and provides reliability in their connection with teachers and classmates during this time.
On Thursday, April 23, Gov. Tim Walz ordered the state’s public K-12 schools to stay closed for the remainder of the academic year. Minnesota’s public schools were originally closed on March 18 to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The schools began this new approach to curriculum on March 30 with the Minneapolis and St. Paul districts beginning on April 6 following their Spring Break.
"We are extremely grateful to our partners at the Hiway Foundation for their generosity and community focus," says Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools. "This gift will help our students connect and engage with our educators and continue their learning during these challenging times. Thank you!"
Cordell added, “We respect the work of the Saint Paul Public School District, teachers and families and all they have accomplished within the last few weeks. It is evident that keeping everyone healthy and safe while remaining connected was their top priority. We are honored to support the schools in bridging this gap. As Governor Walz announced this week, distance learning will continue through the end of the school year. We hope families find peace of mind knowing their student’s education will continue.”
The hotspots were delivered to the Saint Paul Public School District on Friday, April 24, 2020 and the District will distribute them to those in need in the next week.
