Cameron Cash, age 7, son of Jessica Rapoza and Philip-Earl Cash; and grandson of Marnell and Earl “Guy” Cash, Jr. proudly shows off his new desk and chair during remote learning from home. Cameron is one of many Wampanoag youth whose in-class studies have been impacted by COVID.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Education Department received 100 applications for services, with 6 of those currently on a waiting list. A request for additional funds was sent to tribal council, dependent on availability.

The response from the tribal community was overwhelming, as youth participated in hybrid and remote classes, due to the effects of COVID. Services provided by Tribal Education included issuance of IT devices for to ensure K-12 students were equipped for remote learning; reimbursement to parents for the purchase of those devices for their children; and supplemental academic instruction and tutoring services to address the academic mastery gap caused by the disruption to in-classroom learning.

All applications for assistance required a letter, substantiating the need, from the school principal or classroom teacher; additionally, students in post-secondary coursework, whose campus classes were disrupted by COVID, were able to receive support for IT devices, with a letter from the college, a class schedule, and proof of enrollment. Following is an accounting of the types of support provided.

A Committee comprised of the Tribal Education staff reviewed each application to ensure the applicant qualified and had supporting documentation.

IT devices issued:

Five (5) HP iPads
31 HP Chromebooks
22 HP Laptops

Reimbursement for Remote Study Support:

13 Study Desks/Chairs
9 Printers & Modems
8 iPads
4 School Supplies

Supplemental Academic Instruction & Tutoring:

5 Students