Union City Area School District is pleased to announce the continued success of ConnectUC, our digital inclusion initiative funded by a Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) grant worth more than $232,400. As part of Pennsylvania's $279 million statewide effort to address the digital divide, UCASD received this ARPA Capital Projects Fund Digital Connectivity Technology Grant to provide students and community members with access to quality technology and digital literacy training at no cost.
ConnectUC now offers three active components designed to meet the diverse needs of our community. The first is our laptop borrowing program, which allows participants to borrow HP EliteBook devices from the district for 90-day increments at no cost. This program has already begun serving community members who need devices for work, education, health monitoring, or online skills training. Anyone interested in borrowing a device can contact Mrs. Stacey Dell, Director of Curriculum and Special Programs, at sdell@ucasd.org, to get on the list.
The second component consists of open lab nights, providing community members with hands-on access to technology in a supportive environment. These sessions are held in Room 212 at Union City Area Middle High School (105 Concord Street, Union City, PA 16438). Upcoming open lab dates include November 20, December 4, December 10, January 8, January 14, and February 5, all from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Community members should enter through the main entrance and follow the signs to the lab, where a UCASD team member will be available to provide support and assistance. Additional dates and times will be added throughout the winter and spring, and specialized sessions can be arranged upon request by emailing Mrs. Dell.
The third component features digital literacy events designed to help community members develop essential technology skills. Four events are scheduled at the high school this year. On November 20 from 6:00-7:00 p.m., "Building Your Future with SkillUp PA" will introduce participants to thousands of free online courses in business, technology, healthcare, and more. On January 14 from 6:00-7:00 p.m., "Raising Digital Natives: A Parent's Guide to Healthy Tech Use" will provide strategies for managing screen time and fostering positive digital habits at home. On February 12 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., "Getting Started with Online Learning: Community College & Beyond" will explore online learning opportunities and vocational training options. Finally, on March 25 from 5:00-6:00 p.m., "Your Digital Toolbox: Essential Skills for Everyday Life" will cover managing email, accessing government services online, using telehealth, and spotting scams.
In addition to device access and digital literacy workshops, ConnectUC participants can take advantage of SkillUp PA, which offers free online job skills training through the Metrix Learning Portal. Anyone in the UCASD community can register for a free account at https://pbda.metrixlearning.com/ or visit https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/SkillUpPA. These on-demand courses are available at any time, even without borrowing one of the program devices, allowing community members to develop in-demand career skills and earn certificates at their own pace.
ConnectUC represents Union City Area School District's commitment to serving the entire community, not just students. By addressing economic barriers to technology access and providing comprehensive digital literacy support, the program aims to help community members fully participate in work, educational opportunities, and health monitoring activities. For more information about ConnectUC, including program details, upcoming events, and how to get involved, visit https://www.ucasd.org/page/connectuc or contact Mrs. Dell at sdell@ucasd.org. Stay up-to-date on program announcements by following the district on Facebook and checking the website's Livefeed regularly.