Comcast:

• Comcast is providing 60 free days of WiFi for NEW Internet Essentials customers who apply by April 30 and are approved. After the promotion, regular rates apply. (Internet Essentials current rate is $9.95 per month plus tax unless you disconnect your service.) They have also temporarily increased internet speeds for Internet Essentials customers at no cost and are taking other measures in response to COVID-19.

VERIZON

• Verizon announced two months of waived Internet and voice service charges for current Lifeline customers. The company also has new, affordable Internet options for low-income households.

STARRY

• Starry is offering free service until the end of May to all current Starry Connect subscribers and anyone who signs up for Starry Connect before the end of May. You must live in a building that is currently served by the Starry Connect program.

PCS FOR PEOPLE

• PCs for People offers low-cost Wi-Fi hotspots and computers to qualifying households. They now accept Pell Grant documentation for eligibility for higher education students impacted by COVID related school closures.

• https://apply.internetessentials.com/

• https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-helps-eliminate-worry

• https://starry.com/starryconnect

• Students who only have access to a mobile phone for learning at home.
• Students who share a computer at home and often do not have access to a computer for homework.
• Students who do not have a computer that is in working condition for online learning.

• After filling out the form, you will receive an email and text message to schedule an appointment.
• Email invitations will be sent out each day as we go through grade levels, starting with high school grade levels first.
• If you do not receive an email for an appointment tomorrow, you will receive an email in the coming days for an appointment.

Boston Public schools placed an order for 40,000 Chromebooks (in addition to the 20,000 that were purchased in March) and these are being delivered to BPS in phases. The manufacturer (Acer) has confirmed that they have the next shipment of 20,000 en route to us and we expect that delivery very soon.

Clever is a “portal” where you can access many apps used by your student’s school or classroom teacher(s). Visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/backpack to access Clever.

• Clever Login Tutorial (interactive video)

• Go to www.bostonpublicschools.org/backpack and click on “Log in as a student”

• Students log in using their BPS email and Password through “Log in with Google”.

• Homeroom teachers will share email/password with families in their room. Student passwords for their BPS email is their 8-digit birthday (MMDDYYYY).

Please note that we don’t have subscriptions to all the applications listed on the Clever homepage. You can learn more about the BPS Clever Backpack www.clever.com/in/bostonpublic. The BPS is already working with additional companies to secure more resources for your child during this time to ensure continuity of learning.

CLEVER INSTRUCTIONS IN ALL LANGUAGES

Google Classroom is an online classroom where students can access resources and assignments shared by their teachers. Go to classroom.google.com to access Google Classroom. Note: PLEASE USE YOUR BPS EMAIL TO ACCESS GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

• How to Access Google Classroom from Home (website)

• The Parents'/Families' Guide to Google Classroom (PDF in English)

• How to Join Google Classroom (video in English)

• How to Join Google Classroom (video in Spanish/Español)

• How to Join Google Classroom (video in Portuguese/Portugués)

• How to Join Google Classroom (video in French/Français)

BPS primarily uses two applications to host apps and websites for students: Clever and Google Classroom. Students login using their BPS Gmail (______@bostonk12.org) and BPS password. Unsure about your student’s email or password? Check out our tip sheet or contact our BPSTechnology Help Desk: 617-635-9200.