PEMBERTON, NJ – One year after the American Rescue Plan became law, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) announced today that Burlington and Ocean County have received $5.4 from the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program (ECF) that provides students with the internet service, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other equipment necessary for their education.
"While the COVID pandemic taught us a lot about our healthcare system, it also highlighted that many students across our district don't have access to the internet at home, and are struggling to study outside of school," said Congressman Kim. "With this money, libraries and school districts are helping students across Burlington and Ocean Counties get online to study, do research, and do homework outside of their school buildings. These funds are helping break down barriers for the next generation of American leaders, and I couldn't be happier to be bringing $5.4 million back home to help New Jersey students."
The ECF program, which was created as part of the American Rescue Plan, helps schools and libraries ensure that students can connect to the internet at home, allowing them to take advantage of online learning and do their homework. Known as the "homework gap," students who lack access to the internet at home often fall behind their peers as curriculums and educational opportunities rely more and more on the ability to conduct online research and connect to the web.
"The FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund is ensuring that every student can learn with the latest technology both at school and at home, effectively helping to close the digital divide for our school community," said Willingboro School District Supervisor of Technology and Data Analysis, Dr. Phillip Crisostomo. "We are now able to replace Chromebooks that had been considered 'end of life' with brand new devices to ensure a continuity of learning when students leave school at the end of each day. I'm grateful to Congressman Kim for his steadfast support of Willingboro schools and students."
"The FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund program has been an indispensable resource during a challenging time," said Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Stephen Genco. "The American Rescue Plan overall, and specifically the Emergency Connectivity Fund, has enabled us to implement prevention and mitigation strategies, and ensure that there are no obstacles for any student to learn and engage, complete homework, and remain academically on track. For a district like ours, which serves 14,500 students with varying socioeconomic backgrounds, this program and its funding has no doubt served its mission to close learning gaps, and we're beyond grateful."
"We're incredibly proud of the Burlington County Library System's success with expanding its digital programming during the pandemic, and federal funding from FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund program and other COVID-19 relief programs have allowed our library system to step up and help individuals and families bridge the digital divide and access new and exciting services," said Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion, the Commissioners' liaison to the Burlington County Library System. "It wouldn't have been possible without federal assistance, so we're grateful for Congressman Kim's support for the program."
"Over the last few years, we've all learned how important it is to be able to connect digitally and the FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund helped us expand digital access within the community while launching a tablet, Chromebook and mobile hotspots lending program for individuals and families in need," said Burlington County Library System Director, Ranjna Das. "By making these devices available, we ensure no Burlington County resident is left in the digital dark."
The ECF Program helps cover costs of laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons.
The schools and libraries in Burlington and Ocean Counties that received funding from the ECF program include:
- Barnegat Township School District $300,990.00
- Beverly City School District $56,766.85
- Bordentown Regional School District $305,643.00
- Burlington City School District $42,300.00
- Burlington County Library $35,128.20
- Central Regional School District $264,000.00
- Cinnaminson Township School District $278,310.46
- Delanco Board of Education $39,682.50
- Eastampton Township School District $30,461.50
- Edgewater Park School District $140,408.96
- Evesham Township School District $40,000.00
- Holy Cross Preparatory Academy $20,699.10
- Moorestown Township Public Schools $12,308.76
- North Hanover Township School District $43,158.10
- Ocean Gate School District $46,080.00
- Our Lady of Good Counsel School $91,931.00
- Pemberton Township School District $900,900.00
- Shamong Township School District $94,150.00
- Stafford Township School District $163,381.15
- Tabernacle School District $13,200.00
- Toms River Regional School District $1,657,817.70
- Willingboro Township School District $851,668.11
Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.
Original source found here.
