Weekly Media Roundup: August 19, 2020

After-School Programs Adjusting to COVID-19 Challenges, Live 5 News (South Carolina)

Several organizations in Charleston, South Carolina are finding creative ways to support students as the start of a new school year approaches. For example, the Metanoia Youth Leadership Academy will offer virtual literacy help and mentorships. The Summerville YMCA at the Ponds will provide in-person afterschool programming with extra precautions including masks, low adult-to-student ratios, and social distancing.  “We understand parents have to go back to work to feed their family and kids need socialization. I think we see mental health being affected and those types of things. For all those reasons we decided this was the right thing for us to do. This is really what speaks to the Y and their role in their community,” Executive Director Jana Chanthabane told Live 5 News.

Supporting Education Through a Pandemic: the YMCA’s Learning Academy and Afterschool Programs, Dallas Morning News (Texas)

Building off its successful in-person summer learning program, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas will offer an all-day, in-person Learning Academy to support students and families as Dallas schools open remotely. The program will serve students in kindergarten through sixth grade at five locations with extensive precautions such as small class sizes, extra sanitation, social distancing and masks. At the program, certified teachers will help students with distance learning, and students will also take part in physical activities and receive breakfast, lunch and a snack. “The YMCA’s Learning Academy will be an all-day option to help guide students through their curriculum, but also will address their physical needs and mental health as we continue to navigate through these challenging times in a fun, safe, controlled environment,” Executive Director Jodi Newman told the Dallas Morning News.

Boys & Girls Club Uses New Music Class to Help Kids De-Stress and Connect, Steamboat Pilot & Today (Colorado)

At the summer learning program at the Boys & Girls Club of Steamboat Springs in Colorado, middle school students learned to play musical instruments while developing social and emotional skills. The music program, which the Club plans to continue in afterschool programs this fall, was launched by Northwest Colorado Health to help students cope with stress during the pandemic. “We’re using music to help kids understand how to deal with their feelings, how to express their feelings, and then, how to connect with each other,” said Katy Thiel, director of youth resiliency for Northwest Colorado Health, told the Steamboat Pilot & Today.

After School Program Aims to Make Virtual Learning Fun, San Diego Union Tribune (California)

This fall, about 70 students in San Diego, California will take part in robust virtual before- and afterschool programming through the Valley Elementary School’s After and Before School Education and Safety (ASES) program. The free program includes academic support from credentialed teachers, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities, dance, art projects, yoga, cultural exploration, and more. Students will receive materials and supplies each week to complete activities at home. “It’s all about being positive and giving great opportunities for the kids,” Itzy Haumschilt, head of the Valley ASES program, told the San Diego Union Tribune. “Every kid from the program was here today (to pick up their backpack and supplies) and we’re not even offering candy.”