MIDLAND, Texas — UPDATE (April 6):
Midland ISD has outfitted five busses with WiFi hot spots to bring internet to students.
As a last resort, these buses can be driven to students' houses as a last resort for those that need to get connected.
MISD has also ordered 1,000 WiFi hot spots to distribute to students.
The buses are ready to go, but the district is still waiting on the shipment of more hot spots to arrive.
Original Story (April 2):
All Midland ISD campuses will be closed through May 1 by order of Governor Abbott, and the district is working to make the closure easier on parents and students alike.
To help students who might not have the internet access needed to access online materials, MISD is taking two steps.
The first step was handing out enrichment packets during breakfast and lunch pickup to students who do not have the ability to access online materials.
Those who do have internet access can find the same enrichment materials on the Midland ISD website.
Now MISD is working to get 1,000 hotspots out to the community for students to use. The district says the hotspots have been ordered and will hopefully allow students who don't have the necessary equipment to get education.
Another way the district is adapting to the changing landscape of education amid COVID-19 is switching to a performance monitoring system.
Instead of the traditional grades, students will be able to receive feedback from their teachers.
MISD has also worked with principals and teachers to set up a mental health support hotline.
Students can call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday to talk to an MISD counselor.
The hotline is available at 432-240-1439. You can also connect with PermiaCare counselors 24/7 by calling 877-420-1439.
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