It’s that time of year when we slowly transition from long days outside by the pool to waking up early to make lunch and get dressed for learning. It’s when you are frantically racing around in the store to find that large pack of manilla paper from your child’s school supply list that seems not to exist.
Or maybe not this year.
This school year already looks different. Parent’s work schedules have changed. Students are learning from home. Masks and hand sanitizer have become a part of our wardrobes.
In case that wasn’t enough, some childcare facilities haven’t reopened due to the concern of the virus spreading between children and staff. We haven’t opened our Afterschool Action Site program, which operates throughout the school year, serves over 15 elementary schools, and 100 families.
Staff involved in the planning and overseeing of the program are reevaluating weekly with the new information received from the CDC, the county, and City Council. We all want our ASAS back up and running. We miss the kids and hearing about their day.
When summer camp was cancelled, staff moved quickly to create new, innovative programs that children could participate in from home. Before COVID-19, virtual programming was barely a thing. But we were able to bring Denton Camp in a Bag, the Denia Dice Camp, and even our loved Fashionista Camp- all online! We’re keeping the virtual programs going to supplement the temporary suspension of in-person programs.
Here’s what we have coming through the pipeline:
- Super Spanish Learners: this is a virtual Spanish class for children ages 4 to 9 years old. The program will begin mid-September, covering a wide variety of different subjects. It is open for registration online.
- Crafting Around: This crafting class will allow for all ages, even adults, to participate in making different types of cool crafts in each session.
- Family Box Rocks: Fun for the whole family with cool, themed activities and crafts for the month all packaged up in a box.
- Eco-Craft Club: This program provides a “cleaner” way of making crafts using recyclable materials. The sessions will feature new reusable materials to use for crafts.
- Beginners American Sign Language: This class will teach the basics of ASL (American Sign Language) through Zoom. All ages and skill levels are welcome!
As we get further into the school year, the hope is to get back to in-person recreational childcare; however, until it is safe to do so, we wish you a wonderful school year and hope you all stay safe!