WOODSTOCK, Ill. — February 8, 2022 — Today, Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 announced a collaboration with T-Mobile to deliver free connectivity to 3,000 students across 12 schools as part of Project 10Million and T-Mobile’s Hometown Techover contest.

 

As inaugural winners of T-Mobile’s Hometown Techover announced in early September 2021, Woodstock received a $3 million technology upgrade including a $200,000 grant, 5G network enhancements, a Little League Baseball field refurbishment, and access to T-Mobile’s connectivity resources, like Project 10Million.

 

Even before the pandemic, more than 9 million of America’s 56 million school-age kids did not have access to reliable internet and could not complete after-school assignments. While COVID-19 shined a light on this critical homework gap, the problem persists and students without reliable connectivity will continue to experience tremendous, short- and long-term impacts: lower test scores, lower grades, and limited opportunities after graduation. As educators continue grappling with impacts of the pandemic and help students adjust this school year, WCUSD and T-Mobile are responding to the unique learning challenges students are experiencing.

 

Through Project 10Million eligible WCUSD students will receive free internet and mobile hotspots. 2,000 students will receive up to 100GB of high-speed data per month and 1,000 students will receive unlimited high-speed data to ensure all students have enough data to complete their work. In addition, eligible student households will have access to low-cost laptops and tablets.

 

“Keeping our kids connected is of immediate benefit as modern education, and all of society, has become so intertwined with technology. Providing students who now have limited opportunities with better access to online learning platforms can only further their educational potential. We’re certainly grateful to T-Mobile for giving our students this opportunity,” said Dr. Mike Moan, Superintendent of schools for Woodstock Community Unit School District 200.

 

“Access to connectivity is crucial for the development of our youth – it levels the playing field for young people in school and the impact expands far beyond the classroom, providing opportunities for families to connect with distant relatives and access to telehealth and healthcare resources that were once out of reach. With programs like Project 10Million, this country and towns like Woodstock are closer than ever before to closing the digital divide,” said Dr. Kevin Starks, Education Industry Segment Advisor for T-Mobile.

 

Project 10Million will distribute devices and provide service to eligible students across all 12 WCUSD schools.

 

For more information about Project 10Million, go to www.t-mobile.com/p10m.