Dear KCSD families,
We are nearly ready to roll out our online distance learning plan. If you haven’t already, you should be getting “One Call Now” messages from your schools about the next steps. Below you’ll find information about:
- Borrowing district Chromebooks for families who need one
- Open times for junior high and high school buildings to retrieve needed items from lockers
- The district’s installation of 16 additional free Wi-Fi hot spots with strong internet coverage.
Chromebook and locker access
Families lacking a device with which to access the internet can check out a Chromebook from their school.
Based on surveys conducted by teachers last week, we have prioritized which families need a Chromebook. The district plans to issue one Chromebook per family this week. Families with three or more students in KCSD schools will qualify for an additional Chromebook next week.
We ask that families only borrow a Chromebook if they have need. We want devices available to as many families as possible so every student has access to learning.
All families will be contacted by their school’s One Call Now messaging system about device check-out times and one-time access to junior high and high school buildings to get necessary items from lockers.
Click HERE for a list of checkout dates and times so far. If your school is not yet listed, watch for a One Call Now message this week with details. We will update this list as days and times are finalized.
The Klamath County School District’s information technology team has installed 16 additional Wi-Fi points that will allow free access to the internet from outside school buildings.
The goal is to provide Wi-Fi access to any student who needs it as school districts and colleges close and move to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. KCSD’s free Wi-Fi access availability is part of a community-wide effort to provide internet access points to those who need it during this time.
To ensure all KCSD students have access to online learning, the district will provide Chromebooks to families who do not have a device with access to the internet.
Members of the district’s maintenance crew helped the IT team on the project, which started on Friday and concluded early this week. Kiran Malakar, the district’s IT director, spent the weekend testing signals and accessibility at each new location.
“Installation of these access points will help provide stronger internet coverage and allow greater access to students across the Klamath County School District,” he said.
Members of the district’s maintenance crew helped the IT team on the project, which started on Friday and concluded early this week. (A shout out to our maintenance crew workers Kenny Bland and Dewayne Howard, IT director Kiran Malakar, and IT team members Mark Teel, Kevin Lakey, and Christian Hernandez.)
The free Wi-Fi hot spots allow county students to download and upload assignments and access online lessons. Anyone can connect to network at kcsd-covid19. Students with Chromebooks will be automatically connected to the school-based Wi-Fi. Students with their own devices can connect to kcsd-covid19 or log in with their school email and password.
Access is available from parking lots at the following locations:
- Henley Complex
- Lost River Junior/Senior High School
- Mazama High School
- Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School
- Brixner Junior High School
- Bonanza Schools
- Gilchrist Schools
- Merrill Elementary
- Malin Elementary
- Keno Elementary
- Chiloquin Elementary
- Stearns Elementary
- Shasta Elementary
- Ferguson Elementary
- Peterson Elementary
- Gearhart School in Bly (free Wi-Fi access is available through the Klamath County Library branch based at the school)
“Our IT team spent a lot of time and did a great job providing increased access at our school sites throughout Klamath County,” said KCSD Superintendent Glen Szymoniak. “We are pleased we can be a part of the community effort to help all students have equal access to learning at this time.”
In addition to school building parking lots, several community businesses are allowing free access to their Wi-Fi. Click here for a google map of all community locations so far.
We want to remind parents that these school and community Wi-Fi access sites will not be supervised. The district prefers parents accompany students, and that students and parents stay in their vehicles while using the service.
Spectrum (1-844-488-8395) and Comcast (1-866-203-0432) also have indicated they will provide two months of free internet for families. Indicate when you call that you have students learning from home because of covid19 school closures.
Hope this message finds you well. We appreciate all you are doing for your students at home during this time.
Thanks,
Superintendent Glen Szymoniak
Klamath County School District
you can help us by communicating any issues and concerns. Please send suggestions to kcsd_covid19@kcsd.k12.or.us. You may also leave a message for us on our hotline at 541-851-8744.
Links to past newsletters:
April 3, 2020: KCSD & Me
April 1, 2020: KCSD & Me
April 1, 2020: KCSD & Me Español
March 31, 2020: KCSD & Me
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