KLRN has adopted a new Education Programming block to ensure that those students without access to the internet still have access to educational content via the television. KLRN airs 3 hours of Educational Programming geared toward school age children starting at 2 PM weekdays on KLRN’s main channel and 4 hours of Educational content Tuesday- Thursday on 9.2 (12-4 PM).
Nearly 25 percent of Bexar County households do not have a computer at home and about 21 percent lack broadband internet access, according to 2017 U.S. Census Bureau. Many agencies around the area are stepping up to help close the gap during this time. Although many schools have made the switch to distance learning there are still students not able to participate due to lack of internet access and electronic devices. If you are a teacher looking for resources to provide to families with no internet connection please email education@klrn.org we would love to connect you with resources that we have available to complement the television programs airing on our channel.
Below is a list of locations where families can access free Wi-Fi. Use the links to help you find a Free Hot Spot in your area and while you are connected to Wi-Fi:
- Download the PBS Kids Apps, most are able to be used when you are not connected to Wi-Fi.
- Download the KLRN Educational Programming Schedule here.
- Check out the Lesson plans that we have curated that complement the 4 PM educational Program aired on KLRN weekdays.
Bexar County
- VIA has buses located around certain San Antonio and Northside ISD neighborhoods to provide mobile Wi-Fi to students.
- Harlandale ISD has set up similar Wi-Fi zones for its students. A full map of Harlandale’s Wi-Fi zones can be found here.
- North East ISD announced that elementary campuses will now be equipped with free Wi-Fi access points for students. All district-owned devices will automatically connect when in range, and personal devices can also be connected if students log in as guests.
- The AT&T Center is offering free access to Wi-Fi for students and their families. The internet will be available from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily in Lot 3 of the AT&T Center, according to a news release. People can connect to the internet by selecting the “spursgive” Wi-Fi network.
- San Antonio Public Library has made free Wi-Fi available outside of 28 of its 30 locations daily from 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. in an effort to serve those who do not have reliable broadband access at home. Molly Pruitt Branch Library and Briscoe Portal at the Briscoe Western Art Museum are not included in this initiative.
- Comcast Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the area.
- Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city.
Comal County
- Comal ISD dispatched seven buses with Wi-Fi signals that are parked at designated locations within the district. The district has also distributed 124 personal Wi-Fi devices for students and 1,900 laptops to families who otherwise would not have technology in their homes.
- New Braunfels ISD has opened their network at all of the NBISD campuses and buildings for students to be able to access Wi-Fi from the radius around the buildings. Students can connect 24/7 and also access from a personal device.
If you have any other information on FREE Wi-Fi access for the community in your area, please send the information to education@klrn.org and we would be happy to link the information to this list.