Collier County Public Schools

Following Hurricane Irma, The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided the State of Florida with $10 million to be distributed throughout the state. A total of $1.1 million was donated to Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) through the United Way of Collier and the Keys (UWCK). UAE’s gift is being used to expand wireless connectivity in Immokalee and Everglades City to students using CCPS laptops and devices.

Internet connectivity is more important than ever. As a response to COVID-19, CCPS invested in Collier Connect—an ambitious feat to provide a laptop (iPad for PreK/Kindergarten) to every student in the District. Technology is now a component of daily curriculum, whether learning in school or at home. Therefore, internet connectivity is critical for student success.

The goal of the UAE project is to connect up to 6,000 students from their homes in the Immokalee and Everglades City areas to the District’s network. More than 700 hot spots have already been deployed using previously established wireless technology across Collier County to families needing connectivity for CCPS devices. This NEW wireless technology will enable additional connectivity options for students who live within one mile of a neighborhood public school in both Immokalee and Everglades City. As far as CCPS is aware, this innovative project is the only one of its kind in the United States!

“We are very grateful to the UAE for its forethought in assisting our area,” shares Lisa Morse, CCPS Director of Community Engagement and District Initiatives. “This project is innovative and unique in its approach, and we are excited to be able to connect our students to their school community—wherever they may be.”

Families who do not live within this area and need connectivity for their CCPS-issued device can continue to contact their child’s school who will work to address their connectivity needs with District hot spots as they are available.