Get Support at Tech and Family Hubs!
Wednesday, June 30: This is an important notice with updates regarding the Technology and Family Resource Hubs. The Hubs will reopen July 12 - August 5, but the locations and schedule have been modified. The following schools will serve as Hubs: Renaissance High School, East English Village Preparatory Academy, and Munger Elementary-Middle School. Hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Schools |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Eastside |
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|
|
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9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | |
Northwest |
|
|
|
|
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
|
Southwest |
|
|
|
|
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
DETROIT – November 23, 2020 – Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will open 13 Technology and Family Resource Hubs across the city on December 1, providing direct resources to students and families ranging from digital device repair and device replacement, general online learning support, medical and mental health support as well as utility assistance and mobile COVID-19 testing. Breakfasts and lunches will continue to be served at each district school on Mondays and Thursdays.
Most of the 13 Technology and Family Resource Hubs will be open two days a week from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. In addition, as shown in the table below, one location in each region will have a “late day” every Wednesday until 7 p.m., to help working District families attain needed services.
“There is a need to upgrade and deepen technology services so that our families can receive direct support as they continue to help their children navigate online learning,” said Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District. “Starting December 1, we will open the 13 Technology and Family Resource Hubs. If a tablet that was received by one of our students through our Connected Futures initiative is not working, it will be fixed. If we can’t fix it, then we will provide a loaner laptop. In addition, our technicians will be available to help our parents and students with their questions about online learning. This expanded service is especially needed now as more students have shifted to online learning with the increased COVID positivity rate in the city.”
The Technology and Family Resource Hubs will be operational starting December 1, 2020 and ending January 30, 2021. The hubs will not be in service during the District’s holiday break between December 19 - January 2, 2021.
Digital Device Services:
Through the Connected Futures initiative, DPSCD, in conjunction with its corporate and foundation partners, distributed more than 44,000 wireless devices to students and families in the spring and summer, helping bridge the digital divide in our community. About 5 percent of users have reported problems, a small percentage considering the size of the deployment, with difficulties ranging from cracked screens, broken keyboards, and connectivity problems. The Technology and Family Resource Hubs will enable students and families to directly address their device concerns. In a safe and socially distanced environment, the following services will be offered:
- Onsite technicians who will diagnose problems and repair devices
- Provide instructional materials for device operation
- Make recommendations for use
- Help with navigating the online learning platforms, submitting assignments as well as communicating with teachers.
Grab and Go breakfast and lunch, community services:
The Grab and Go breakfast and lunch meal program will continue at all DPSCD schools including the hub locations. In addition, students and families will have access to emotional and mental health support services as well as practical assistance such as a planned winter coat giveaway. Other supportive services include:
- Utility assistance
- Mobile COVID-19 screenings
- Connections to childcare options
DPSCD pro-actively announced on November 11 to temporarily suspend all face-to-face learning, including Learning Centers, when COVID-19 infection rates in the city exceeded safety threshold parameters of five to seven percent.
To meet DPSCD families where they are at during these challenging times, the District provided families a choice of selecting face to face learning or online learning in the summer. About 80 percent of DPSCD families chose online learning, with the remaining 20 percent opting for face-to-face instruction or using a District Learning Center, where students work online while under the guidance of their teacher and in person staff member. The decision to suspend all face-to-face learning due to the rising COVID-19 infection rate meant that the 20 percent of face-to-face students shifted to online learning which went into effect on November 16.
The District is targeting January 11, 2021 as a possible return to face-to-face learning. Any decision concerning a return to face-to-face learning or reopening of Learning Centers will be based on science and data, Dr. Vitti said at the Board of Education meeting on November 17.
About Detroit Public Schools Community District
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan’s largest public education system. It is governed by a locally elected, seven-member board with Dr. Nikolai Vitti serving as superintendent. The District’s mission is to provide every student with a beneficial and rightful educational experience, preparing students to be career and college ready, and qualified to compete in the global market. The District has more than 100 schools and educates more than 49,000 children. For more information, visit detroitk12.org and follow @detroitk12 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.