SALISBURY — Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, Communities in Schools of Rowan County rolled out the first wave of mobile hotspot devices to students in need of internet access at home in seven Rowan-Salisbury schools.

Student Support Specialists polled students receiving direct services from CIS at Knox and North Rowan middle schools as well as Hanford Dole, Koontz, Isenberg, Overton and North Rowan elementary schools. After securing parental permission, these students qualify to use a T-Mobile hotspot device that will connect them to the internet anywhere.

Robert Albert and John Toy of T-Mobile met with CIS Rowan staff to instruct them in the procedure to sync iPads to the hotspots. The devices are provided at no cost to students, but remain property of Communities in Schools of Rowan County.

Each hotspot is uniquely paired to a student’s school-owned device, allowing them to study and complete homework and other school assignments at home.

Dr. Ron Turbyfill is the executive director of Communities in Schools of Rowan County.