How a School District in Santa Monica Responded to COVID-19

Like many school districts nationwide, COVID-19 forced the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) to brainstorm ways to provide internet access for families in need. It partnered with Wander, a company with high-speed internet options at $25 per month, to provide free access to its fixed wireless networks for the remainder of the school year. In partnership with the SMMUSD and the Santa Monica Education Foundation, parents and children have access to secure, reliable, and fast internet while school closures and work-from-home mandates remain in place. Having access to secure, reliable and high-speed internet is critical for parents to adapt to the new and quickly evolving needs at home, whether working, homeschooling, or connecting with others online. As COVID-19 has put an increased burden on families and created financial uncertainty for many, free internet provides a digital security net.