CHOCTAW, Miss. — In an effort to provide better access to technology for its students, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is now offering Wi-Fi at all Tribal school locations. This includes six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school on Tribal lands. The Tribe utilized CARES Act funding to complete the project.
“Our overriding commitment is to equip our students with the tools they need to succeed, and access to the Internet certainly is an important one,” says Sherry Tubby, Assistant Director of Choctaw Tribal Schools. “We evaluated several options to find the most cost-effective and timely way to offer Wi-Fi access, and ultimately decided to install hotspots at each of our school facilities.”
External hotspots are being placed at each of the Tribal schools. With a range of 400 yards, these provide access for anyone in the building as well as a substantial distance outside of the building. This will serve the schools whether they begin the school year with in-person instruction, or if shelter-in-place orders require the district to utilize distance learning. Firewall protections are in place so that students can’t connect to inappropriate sites, whether indoors or outdoors on school property.
“Because COVID-19, our plans for the fall are uncertain,” says David Germany, Director of Choctaw Tribal Schools. “We are working hard to determine whether we can bring our students back to school physically. Either way, this Wi-Fi access is a positive step, because students can sync to the Internet from the parking lot if they need to. That will help those students who don’t have broadband access at their homes.”
He adds, “The fast-track installation of the Wi-Fi network was coordinated by Elray King, Tribal Schools Network Administrator, who worked tirelessly to complete its implementation.”
Choctaw Tribal schools are also working towards a goal of providing every student with a digital device that can assist with homework or distance learning. These devices include laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads, and are determined by grade as to which device is utilized. School administrators are also training parents and students to use Google Classroom, which Tubby says will be useful for in-person as well as distance learning.
As one of the United States’ original first nations, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the State of Mississippi. With over 11,000 members, Choctaw lands cover over 35,000 acres in 10 counties. Providing permanent, full-time jobs for over 5,000 Tribal-member and non-Indian employees, the Tribe is a major contributor to the state’s economy.
###
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Makes $1 Billion Annual Impact on State
A recently completed economic impact analysis shows the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) has an almost $1 billion annual impact on the state's economy. "This study demonstrates the significant role our Tribe plays in the economic health of Mississippi. We...
Advertisement for Bids for the Construction of the Tribe’s Workforce Training Center
SECTION 00 00 15 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Notice is hereby given that sealed hard copy bids or electronic bids will be received for the project named below until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31. Bids may be submitted directly to the location listed below or...
Jobs Available at Choctaw Fresh Produce
Choctaw Fresh Produce – A Non-Profit Corporation 390 Industrial Rd, Building E Choctaw MS, 39350 601-650-1643 [email protected] JOB TITLE: Mobile Market Tech OPENING DATE: April 11, 2024 CLOSING DATE: April 23,...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Brings New Life to Carthage Industrial Buildings
CARTHAGE, Miss. – Following extensive updates and repairs, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) are breathing new life into their 120,000 square feet of industrial space in Leake County. The three industrial buildings, each about 40,000 square feet, were...
Position Available at Choctaw Office of Economic Development for an Economic Development Specialist
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT# 432160 POSITION TITLE: SALARY RANGE: OPENING DATE: CLOSING DATE: SUPERVISOR: TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: JOB LOCATION: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST BASED ON EXPERIENCE NOVEMBER 20, 2023 NOV2 0 2023 DECEMBER 189 2023 OR UNTIL.FILLED DIRECTOR OF...
Choctaw Employment Advantage Offers Discounts to Businesses Partnering with the MBCI
CHOCTAW, Miss. – Choctaw Employment Advantage, a new incentive program provided by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, offers rental discounts to commercial tenants leasing Tribal buildings. Businesses that lease space on Choctaw Tribal lands are eligible for...
Choctaw Economic Development Website Wins International Economic Development Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world, has selected the recipients of its 2022 Excellence Awards. Recognized each year during the IEDC...
Mississippi Choctaws Receive Federal Grant to Develop Workforce Training Center
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.8 million grant to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for the construction of the Advanced Workforce Training...
Tribe Receives Grant Award for Broadband Connectivity
CHOCTAW, Miss. – (August 19, 2022) – The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has received an $8.43 million Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grant award from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to fund the Tribe’s broadband...
John Hendrix
Director of Economic Development
601.650.1607
[email protected]
Office of Economic Development
375 Industrial Road | STE 2
Choctaw, MS 39350