Dumas ISD helps students reach out to deployed relatives

Dumas ISD is using technology to help brighten the season for students with deployed relatives. Using the district’s video conferencing unit, students can talk to and see their deployed family members. Cameras at both locations enable the military men and women to see their children back home as well.

The calls are free to all parties and made possible by Freedom Calls Foundation, which provides a network of communications devices at military bases abroad so that thousands of military personnel can stay in touch with their families and friends back home free of charge. AT&T locates the deployed family members and sets up the call times. Freedom Calls then provides the satellite time to host the video conference call.

Any district or school with video conferencing equipment can volunteer to be a part of the Freedom Calls program. For more information, visit www.freedomcalls.org.