THREE RIVERS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — In an effort to keep students connected during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) is now offering free Wi-Fi to students, both stationary and mobile.
In a statement released Monday, TRCS announced expanded Wi-Fi from the school district buildings, as well as school vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi transmitters for mobile access.
To begin with, Wi-Fi at the school buildings has been expanded to reach the school parking lots. The public is welcome to access these signals as long as social distancing is being observed. The network is TRS-Public WiFi and can be accessed with the password “wildcats88.”
“In order to receive the best possible service, please park as close to the buildings as possible, or please find a safe, socially distanced, place to sit in our greenspace areas near the parking lot, next to the school,” officials said. “Please note that the staff parking lots are the best areas to find a powerful WiFi signal.”
The following school buildings will be providing the free Wi-Fi:
- Three Rivers High School
- Three Rivers Middle School
- Andrews Elementary
- Hoppin Elementary
- Norton Elementary
- Park Elementary
In addition, school vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi transmitting technology will now be traveling through the area at certain times of the day, beginning Wednesday, May 6.
“We have installed WiFi on three of our vehicles; 2 vans and 1 bus,” officials added. “In order to spread the mobile WiFi to more students and locations, we will travel to different locations throughout the day and will be providing instructions at the site on how to access the internet at that location. Students and families, for safety and health purposes, will not be allowed on the buses at this time.”
The school district told WWMT Wednesday that a survey indicated only 77% of students had reliable home internet, creating the need for such a measure.
“As many of our students do not have access to the internet at home, TRCS is exploring alternative means to bridge the digital divide,” officials said.
This mobile Wi-Fi service will be located at the following locations beginning Wednesday, May 6th through Thursday, June 4, 2020.
- Riverside Apartments & Townhouses – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Shippy Center – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Golden Pond Mobile Home Park – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Meyer Broadway Park – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Jones – Newberg Fire Station @ McKinley Street parking lot – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
