Nashua Families In Need Receive Nearly 1,700 Chromebooks

NASHUA, NH — School officials in the Nashua school district are working to ensure every student in the city has the ability to succeed with their remote learning at home with the right technology. The stay-at-home order by Gov. Chris Sununu through May 4 meant students needed access to computers in order for remote learning to work. Currently, there are more than 11,000 students in the district.

District technology staff last week dismantled carts of devices used for state testing and classroom use and distributed them school principals. According to Gregory Rodriguez, the director of technology for the district, those principals distributed close to 1,700 Chromebooks to students in need. With Chromebooks in hand and connectivity, students can now access the lessons their teachers are posting online, he said.

"We are getting closer and closer to moving the mountain called remote learning," Rodriguez said. "I am not alone in saying this, but I commend the great efforts our school staff have done to reach out to families in need, to be sure students' have what they need to learn from home."

Rodriguez said any remaining family that doesn't have a device should reach out to principals this week to gain access to one.

Jahmal Mosley, the superintendent of SAU 42, said keeping the lines of communication reliably accessible through May 4 was the key to students succeeding.

"More than ever, the home and school partnership is vital to the viability of your children learning remotely," Mosley said. "We want to do all we can to support you and support our teachers who together will make learning these next few weeks as meaningful as possible."

Help Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so people should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

ALSO READ:

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• NH Coronavirus: 314 Now Infected; Many Clustered In Cities
• NH Governor: Unemployment Funds Up; Standardized Tests Dropped
• Nashua Superintendent On COVID-19: Feeding Kids Is First Priority

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