DERRY - The Derry school district is working with Comcast to provide low-cost computers and high-speed Internet access to students receiving free and reduced lunch.

"They have a program called Internet Essentials that I am familiar with through working in other school districts," said superintendent Laura Nelson. "What Comcast does is make available to families who have free or reduced lunch the opportunity to buy a computer for $150."

If Comcast offers high-speed Internet in the area, the qualifying families can then get an Internet hook-up for $9.99 per month."It gives children the opportunity to have Internet access in homes that might not have it," said Nelson. "Comcast also makes available training for the family, so they will come in and set up the computer and provide some family training for mom and dad. They will look at how to set the parental controls on the computer and help the family establish that."

Further information on the program should be in the district within the next week or two, according to Nelson.

"What we need to do now as a school system is get the information out to our families," she said. "We will make it available so all children have access to bring it home. We'll also put it in strategic places in the community so parents will have the opportunity to see that."

In addition, Nelson said she will contact the district's PTAs and other organizations to get the word out about the program. She said she will also make sure Pinkerton Academy knows about the program so its students and families can take advantage.

Nelson said the point of the program is to increase student access to home computing.

"I think this will be a good community service for our families," she said. "I know that not all our students have computer access at home. As we work to improve technological instruction in the classroom, it's really important to provide these opportunities in the home for children."

In the past, Comcast has only offered the program to students receiving free lunch, but is expanding it to students receiving reduced lunch this year.

"They are able to make it available to a broader range of families and students," said Nelson.



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