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Community Assistance

EBT During the Pandemic

Families with students enrolled in GCS who qualify for free and reduced meals may be eligible for additional benefits through the Electronic Bank Transfer, or EBT program during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to qualify for free and reduced meals please make sure you have applied for meal benefits through www.lunchapplication.com . Completing an application now will also ensure your meal benefits are established for the start of the next school year. You can apply or reapply for meal benefits at any time during a school year, particularly when your financial circumstances change. If you have any questions, please contact School Nutrition Services at (336) 370-3266.

WIFI Hotspots

GCS has several newer schools with outdoor hotspots for internet connectivity that are accessible by students and their families from school parking lots. While we are exploring ways to expand connectivity for more students, please feel free to share the following information with your constituents. We anticipate adding Eastern High School as a hotspot by Noon, Tuesday.

  • Southern HS
  • Northeast Guilford HS
  • Monticello-Brown Summit
  • Oak Hill ES
  • Montlieu ES
  • Andrews HS
  • Herbin-Metz Education Center (on Hairston campus, near Falkener)
  • Hunter Elementary School
  • Jamestown Middle School
  • Christine Joyner-Green Education Center (on Ragsdale campus)
  • McNair Elementary School
  • Simkins Elementary School
  • Western Guilford Middle School

School-Aged Childcare for Hospital Workers

Two GCS facilities will start providing care tomorrow for school-aged children (ages 5 to 12) of local hospital/medical workers. The two sites are Shadybrook and Irving Park Elementary Schools. We anticipate serving about 52 students tomorrow in six different classrooms each with a 1:8 adult-to-student ratio. This is just one of many ways that GCS is assisting our community as we join together to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Free/Affordable Internet

Resource for finding sources of free or affordable WIFI

https://www.ncbroadband.gov/covid19broadband/

 

Student Hotlines

To help students and families handle stresses school closures may cause, GCS now has two hotlines.

GCS crisis hotline: 336-332-7295

This phone number should only be used by GCS students for a crisis of any kind. If it is an emergency, call 911. If during this time away from school a student has concerns about anxiety, depression, abuse, suicidal thoughts, or has no food, etc. a student should call this number, which will be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week by GCS counselors for at least the next two weeks.

GCS multi-lingual hotline: 336-332-7290

This number should be used for all other questions regarding school closures and resources. There will be interpreters ready to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The interpreters will be able to answer questions in Arabic, Swahili, French, Kinyarwanda, Rade, Vietnamese, Urdu and Spanish. This hotline will also be up and running for at least the next two weeks.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for GCS students

Grab and Go Breakfast and lunch will be served DAILY at Northeast at the front loop from 11am until noon. All children are eligible to receive meals.

Please see the Supplemental Food Support Plan for other options.