BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)– While virtual learning isn’t the norm this year, there is still a big need for internet access and AT&T stepped in.

With COVID-19 cases surging in Louisiana and schools are quickly approaching, having access to the internet is more important now than ever.

“We want children to be able to take part in learning and we’ve got to solve our work gap and address the digital divide,” said AT&T External Affairs Regional Director Matt Adams.

Matt Adams with AT&T said they teamed up with Connected Nations to provide free WIFI and hotspots to schools, including two here in Baton Rouge

This allows students to connect from almost anywhere, at school or at home.

Cristo Rey Franciscan High School was awarded the grant. 

Parent Sabrina Minor said this new resource was much needed.

“It makes me feel really good because it feels like Companies are giving students a chance,” said Minor.

She said it will help her son succeed in the classroom.

“He is actually excited because he says it works so well,” she said.

School President Eric Engemann said that although they are planning on in-person learning, there is still plenty of uncertainty. 

“We know there are some situations that could crop up this year in quarantines and different things like that that we perhaps want to be prepared for,” he said.

These new resources provide a quick solution.

“It gives us an opportunity to make those transitions to a virtual learning environment very easy,” said Engemann.

Louisiana Schools For The Deaf And Visually Impaired also qualified for this grant. Together the schools got a total of 200 hotspots and free wireless internet.