Seattle Public Schools and the Alliance for Education announced that Amazon would supply 8,200 laptops to Seattle Public Schools elementary-age students to help close gaps in Seattle Public Schools’ continuous learning plan during the coronavirus crisis.
The gift from Amazon is estimated at over $2 million and kickstarts the new Education Equity Fund run by the Alliance for Education, Seattle Public Schools’ nonprofit partner. Businesses, community groups and individuals are invited to contribute as well.
Seattle Public Schools closed March 12, and now all schools in the state are closed. Districts rushed to arrange meal services and online learning, but variations in access to technology have been a concern from the beginning.
“Amazon’s gift comes at a crucial time for our students,” said SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau. “We’ve never lost sight of the need to continue our students’ education — even during this unprecedented time – and our community partner Amazon now makes it easier to keep moving forward with the critical work of teaching and learning.”
Gov. Jay Inslee has extended a statewide stay-at-home order through May 4 but most school districts have not yet officially announced school closures past April 27.
Here's how the laptop donation will work: Amazon will coordinate with SPS to ship laptops directly to students, and they will be a permanent gift.
Amazon is also supporting SPS students and their families through the Right Now Needs Fund, another Alliance for Education project that helps principals, teachers, and parents collaborate to remove students’ most basic barriers to learning such as the need for food, clothing, and housing.
Resources for families while at home:
Guide your preschooler's home learning with a Montessori approach
Weekly guide to fun, free virtual events
Life skills you can teach older kids, teens while at home
