By Mark Messman, Superintendent EV-W District #463
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Financial Assistance
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that provides discounts on monthly internet bills for qualifying families. If your family is eligible, you could receive up to a $50/month discount on your Internet service or rented equipment. The new program was released Wednesday, May 12, 2021, and most Minnesota phone and Internet providers are participating.
In addition to some annual family income parameters, qualifying for the free/reduced-priced school lunch program is an indicator for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program. Feel free to reach out to Cherice Vogel at cvogel@evw.k12.mn.us in the district office if you need help processing the F/R lunch application which helps you qualify for the EBB program.
Following are three ways that eligible households can apply for the EBB program:
• Contact your participating broadband provider to learn about their application process.
• Go to http://GetEmergencyBroadband.org to learn more.
• Call (833) 511-0311 for a mail-in application.
COVID-19 vaccine is available for Youth 12 and older
Recently the U.S. Food and Drug administration authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 12-15. This means all of our EV-W students who are 12 years or older are now eligible to get vaccinated. The CDC also recommends that everyone age 12 or older should get vaccinated.
At this time, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been studied and approved for use by people ages 12-17. Other vaccine manufacturers are currently studying their vaccines in younger age groups but have not yet received authorization from the FDA.
I’m reaching out to share some vaccination resources that will help answer your questions and provide you with easy access to getting your child vaccinated. To find a vaccine:
• Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector.
• Contact your child’s primary health care provider, local public health or pharmacy.
• Use the Vaccine Locator Map.
• Use http://Vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you. Make sure to check the Pfizer box
Or, you can call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at (833) 431-2053 for language assistance, questions, and appointments. Remember, there is no cost for the vaccine and no need to provide medical insurance, Government issued ID, or immigration status to be vaccinated.