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Volunteer Opportunity: Seattle Public Schools Family Tech Support Hotline!

Hello Allen School students!

The Seattle Public School District is in urgent need of volunteers to help their students access online learning. Please consider volunteering if you have the time!

More information below.

Take care,

Chloe

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Remote learning during the COVID-19 school closures can be challenging for all students. Imagine not having access to a computer or internet at home and tr­ying to keep up with school. SPS has been deploying district laptops, donated devices and hotspots to thousands of households in need. However, we know that many families need computer and web navigation coaching so their students can take advantage of online learning.

Will you volunteer from home to support the SPS Family Tech Support Helpline? Visit https://bit.ly/families_tech_help to sign up for a shift today!

Volunteer role:

  • Receive calls from SPS families seeking help with technology and remote learning resources.
  • Use a provided resource guide to assist parents and guardians of SPS students. We anticipate most challenges to be related to basic computer and internet set up, and/or accessing online learning tools (Schoology, Student Portal, the Source).
  • Enter more challenging issues into an online Support Request Log – they will be addressed by a specialized tech support team.
  • The helpline will also save voicemails from families – they will need to be entered into the Support Request Log as well.
  • Volunteers will be supported by a project coordinator who will connect you with online resources and answer questions.

What you will need: phone (your number will be not be shared with callers), internet connection, computer or another device that allows you to access a web browser.
Volunteer from the comfort and safety of your home AND enjoy connecting with fellow Seattleites! 

  • Visit https://bit.ly/families_tech_help to pick one or more shifts.
  • Two-hour volunteer shifts are available every weekday 7:30 am – 7:30 pm to give as many volunteers the opportunity to help as possible and for families with different work schedules to be able to reach the helpline.
  • Not sure if this is the right volunteer match for you? Try one shift and pick more up later!

What type of skills are needed for this role? 

  • Be comfortable with computers as a user. No advanced technology knowledge is needed. Knowledge of SPS resources like Schoology or the Source is a plus but not necessary.
  • Be a patient and clear communicator.
  • Be open to learning about the technology barriers faced by different communities.
  • If you are nervous about communicating via phone “live” but still want to help, let us know! In a week or so we will know which shifts are heavier on “transcribing voicemails”.

SPS Family Tech Support Helpline volunteers will help ensure all students continue learning during COVID-19 school closures. We hope you can join this exciting project!

April 23, 2020