Urgent Community Support Requested to Ensure Education Access for Students
Bright Minds Foundation, the educational foundation of the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), and HCPSS have launched an emergency Access to Learning Fund to raise money for critical education access supports for HCPSS students during the extended coronavirus school closure.
During this unprecedented crisis, HCPSS is working intensely to provide every one of our nearly 59,000 public school students with the critical resources and supports they need to learn from home. Right now, more than ever, it will take a village to support the well-being and continued learning of our students.
The Access to Learning Fund will support the purchase and use of learning resources, including adaptive technology, connectivity resources, online memberships, printed materials, mailing costs, multimedia equipment and other key items needed to support remote student learning.
Like school systems and educators across the country, HCPSS staff are rising to the challenge of quickly overhauling education models and teaching methods to support each student. This fund provides an opportunity for our community to rally together to support our teachers, students, and families during this unusual and difficult time.
Bright Minds and HCPSS remind all families to complete the Student Technology Survey so HCPSS can identify student accessibility needs. To learn more about the school system’s response to COVID-19 and the continuity of learning plan and response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, visit the HCPSS website.
Tax deductible contributions to the Access to Learning Fund may be made in the following ways:
- Via the Bright Minds website.
- Text HCPSS to 501-55
- Mail a check to the Bright Minds Foundation, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Please designate “Access to Learning Fund” in the comment field.
In-Kind Donations
At this time, we are not able to accept computer donations due to schools and office buildings being closed. Your device(s) can still have a significant impact by donating them to The Lazarus Foundation, a Howard County based nonprofit computer refurbishing organization. The Lazarus Foundation will begin accepting donations at their workshops once schools reopen. Please visit lazarus.org or call 410-489-0616 to learn more.
