By Mike Cisneros
The Capistrano Unified School District has received 300 laptop computers donated from Cox Communications to assist students who have transitioned to distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The laptops, donated with help from the San Diego-based nonprofit, Computers2Kids, come at a perfect time when all school districts – Capistrano Unified included – were forced to transition to online learning after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order of keeping students at home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Students in Capistrano Unified School District schools had their first day of school online on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
“We are grateful for this generous donation and our continued partnership with Cox Communications,” said CUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital. “During these challenging times, our families are balancing health and safety while learning from home, and these laptops will provide support for our young people who need it most.”
To ensure all students have access to computers, the district distributed more than 6,000 Chromebooks and 800 hot spots to students, who were allowed to keep them over the summer.
Cox’s donation is part of its now national Connect2Compete program that started in San Diego in 2012. Connect2Compete includes in-home Wi-Fi, free installation and access to the online Cox Digital Academy for students and families without Internet access.
“Computers2Kids does a tremendous job getting low-income households connected, and they’ve been a critical part of our Connect2Comptete program, which is bridging the digital divide by bringing computers and internet access to K-12 students that don’t have technology at home,” said Sam Attisha, Senior Vice President and Region Manager for Cox Communications. “We want all students to be ready for school to start again and this donation will help ensure all students are connected.”