THE Public School System has launched its Community Hotspot Initiative, which will provide free Wi-Fi services to students and families.
Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Ada said the initiative offers additional support to students who are taking classes remotely.
CNMI government officials and private sector leaders launch the “Community Hotspot Initiative” for families and the community on Friday at Kagman Elementary School. In photo are Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, Board of Education Chairwoman Janice Marie A. Tenorio, who is also the customer service and government relations manager of IT&E-CNMI, IT&E-CNMI general manager Rose Soledad, PSS Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, PSS-Instructional Technology and Distance Education’s Dr. Bobby Cruz and Lorraine Catienza, Kagman Elementary School Principal Dr. Ignacia Demapan, CNMI Head Start/Early Head Start Director Lathania Santos, CNMI Special Education Director Donna Flores, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Office of the Governor’s Chief of Staff Angel Demapan, Senior Policy Advisor Robert Hunter, Division of Youth Services Administrator Vivian Sablan, IT&E-CNMI’s Natasha Tomokane and Hans Mickelson and their team, as well as officials from the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the Carolinian Affairs Office, and the Youth Affairs Office.
The Community Hotspot Initiative is a partnership among PSS, IT&E, the Office of the Governor, Office of Youth Services, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Division of Youth Affairs, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, and the Carolinian Affairs Office.
Dr. Bobby Cruz, PSS director of instructional technology and distance education, said the program is an expansion of the Wi-Fi-on-Wheels Initiative implemented during the summer.
Compared to Wi-Fi-on-Wheels, however, the new initiative will provide stronger bandwidth, longer hours of availability, and greater coverage to serve more locations on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, such as the Sinapalo Youth Center, Tinian Public Library, Kagman Community Center, Garapan Community Center, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Chalan Kanoa Youth Center, Koblerville Youth Center, and San Vicente Youth Center.
Students and families will have Wi-Fi access at these locations seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Cruz said, adding that connectivity encompasses a 100-foot radius.
He said the network is filtered to prevent access to inappropriate content.
“I am very happy to bring this program to life,” Education Commissioner Ada said. “PSS recognizes the need to create a safety net for Wi-Fi services in light of Covid-19 and continued online learning. It takes a community to work together, and this project is evidence of our public and private partners’ strong commitment to education as we all work together to serve our kids of the CNMI.”
Ada said the program comes at a minimal cost.
Board of Education Chairwoman Janice Tenorio said, “It takes a village to care for our kids.”
“The board will continue to encourage and support partnerships that are positive for all our children,” she added.
Division of Youth Services Administrator Vivian Sablan expressed her appreciation to PSS and various other partners for helping DCCA-DYS promote the overall well-being of children and adults while strengthening families and the community as a whole.
Rose Soledad, IT&E general manager, said, “The internet is a powerful tool for education and broadening opportunities for families and we remain committed to doing our part to make this tool accessible to all.”
She added, “The Community Hotspot Initiative will bridge the digital divide and give our community’s youth and families the resources they need to flourish.”
PSS sets the following guidelines to students and other community members who want to avail themselves of the free Wi-Fi access:
• Always wear a mask or face covering and adhere to the six-foot social distance from other people who are not from your household.
• Parents and guardians are responsible for their children’s safety while at a hotspot.
• Use the Wi-Fi for educational and informational purposes.
• Do not leave any trash behind.
Wi-Fi: StudentsFirst
Password: education670
