Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Updated as of September 11, 2020

Spring Branch ISD has deployed school buses equipped with Wi-Fi in neighborhoods and apartment complexes to serve its students with the highest need for internet access.

SBISD distributes thousands of digital learning devices to students

District students returned on August 24 for two weeks of remote learning; half of all SBISD students continue with Virtual Learning for the nine-week period ahead. Many families do not have home internet access, or lack adequate bandwidth for online learning needs.

“As we prepared for the start of the school year,” reports Troy Neal with the SBISD Technology Services Dept., “We know that an Internet connection is a lifeline and a learning link for our students.”

To meet areas of identified highest need for internet access, SBISD Transportation employees have positioned buses with Wi-Fi capabilities extending up to 300 feet from the bus. Students can connect to the Internet this way through their school-use computers only, not personal devices.

Wi-Fi access will operate every weekday on the buses from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., which reflects a remote or Virtual Learning instructional day.

Bus WiFi operations are available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at five elementary schools:  Hollibrook, Ridgecrest, Spring Branch, Spring Shadows and Woodview.

A Wi-Fi equipped bus will also be stationed at community partner, Spring Spirit from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following apartment complexes will each have a Wi-Fi-equipped bus on site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Banyon Palms, Green Oak Village, Nottingham Village, Miami Gardens, Park on Westview, Park at Saronna, Providence at Memorial, Valencia and Village Park.

Bus Wi-Fi access information is posted on the window of each bus. Students who need technical assistance should contact the SBISD Helpdesk at (713) 251-TECH.

Meanwhile, Technology Services employees have added outdoor Wi-Fi access at all district secondary schools, from property line to property line. This provides a way for students to connect to the SBISD wireless network from their home campuses.

Also, all prekindergarten Schools for Early Learning are updated with outdoor wireless from property line to property line: Bear Boulevard, Lion Lane, Panda Path, Tiger Trail and Wildcat Way schools for early learning.

Students and families can drive up or walk on campus to access the wireless network for instructional learning. Social distancing rules apply for those using district property-based WiFi locations.