SYLACAUGA, Ala. -Sylacauga City Schools is supplying the community with free internet access points.
In phase one of a two-part plan, the school system has created five Wi-Fi hotspots that are readily available to everyone that needs them.
Executive Director of Technology for SCS Michael Robinson told SylacaugaNews.com that the system understands the need for high-speed internet, especially for its students, but in this project, SCS had the entire community in mind.
“The purpose is really more of a public internet access for our community,” said Robinson. “Not only are we trying to help our students, but other students. It doesn’t really matter who gets on. It’s open.”
The hotspots are easily accessible at every school in the system and at Walton Cruise Field where the baseball program plays its games. The signals are directional, focused on areas where people can sit in their vehicles, maintain social distancing and connect. Here are the available areas:
- Sylacauga High School – Museum Parking Lot
- Indian Valley Elementary School – Front Parking Lot
- Pinecrest Elementary – Back Parking Lot
- Nichols-Lawson – 8th Grade Parking Lot
- Walton Cruise Field – Gravel Parking Lot
The darker the circle in the photo above means higher network speeds.
The wireless speeds will be more than capable of handing zoom meetings, downloads and other projects that most need to use on a daily basis.
“Student’s could be trying to download a video that could take hours at their house. Now, they can pull up at one of these locations, join their meetings or download a file quite quickly,” said Robinson. “If there is a need, even if they have internet at home, but its slow, it’s there.”
The network will be filtered, blocking inappropriate websites, but will allow access to social media and most apps and websites people use on a daily basis. To get the best signal, leave a space in between parked cars.
To connect, simply pull up your wireless settings and select Sylacauga Schools. There is no network password.
The network is available daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Phase-two of the project is coming down the pipe. SCS is working with other locations around the community, like churches, to make internet access readily available for those who need it.
