As you may know the Toledo Public School District began the 2020-2021 school year in the “Red Light” status, meaning virtual learning only. This meant the virtual needs for the students were top priority. Many families in the district were working off of limited internet access and/or one Chromebook during the spring semester.
Toledo Public Schools serves approximately 23,000 students Pre-K through 12th grades. With 90% of the 8,100 families qualifying for free or reduced lunches because of their income levels, many of the families lack internet services or devices to participate in online learning.
With the assistance from the TPS Foundation, the district was awarded a $50,000 grant from Fifth Third Bank to address the virtual needs of Toledo Public Schools students on free or reduced lunch and/or families of three or more.
“Fifth Third Bank is pleased to support Toledo Public Schools in their effort to ensure that every child in the district is provided the technology needed to be successful in the current virtual learning environment”, said Alex Gerken, Fifth Third Bank’s Toledo city president.
The gift has allowed the Foundation to leverage an additional $10,000 to make a total investment of $60,000 to Toledo Public Schools. Because of this gift, we can now support students and families stranded by unprecedented circumstances with new resources that ensure students have access to the support they need to maintain crucial academic development.
Dr. Romules Durant, Superintendent and CEO of Toledo Public Schools said, “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of Fifth Third Bank. As we navigate remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic, it’s critical for our students to have access to technology to be successful. Fifth Third has stepped up to make this possible so that all students have an equitable opportunity to learn.”
If you would like to make a donation to the Toledo Public Schools Foundation to help support the students and staff during these unprecedented times, please fill out the form below!