Weekly Media Roundup: July 29, 2020

Prime Time Palm Beach Continues Programs, Lake Okeechobee News (Florida)

When schools closed due to the pandemic, Prime Time Palm Beach County quickly created an online library where families could choose from more than 2,000 learning activities designed to help students discover new interests and develop their academic skills. This summer, the program is hosting a free virtual summer camp that offers activities ranging from virtual dance tutorials to lessons from the Palm Beach Zoo. An out-of-school time intermediary, Prime Time has partnered with afterschool programs and summer camps in Palm Beach County, Florida throughout the pandemic by providing training and stipends and helping programs transition to virtual programming. “Being a part of these trainings with other colleagues and hearing how their programs are operating…was definitely food for thought, and things that I could certainly glean from that will be impactful within our program,” afterschool practitioner Anecia Wilson told the Lake Okeechobee News.

Compassion in Action: Aloha MAP Program Distributes School Supplies to Participants, Hawaii Tribune Herald (Hawaii)

This summer, students in Hawaii are learning about Hawaiian language and culture, exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), trying out new recipes, prepping for the ACT/SAT, doing fun workouts and more through a free virtual summer learning program from Aloha MAP (Meritorious Achievement Program). This month, the program hosted a drive-through event where about 900 children received bags filled with school supplies, snacks, books, wellness kits, sunglasses and more to help them enjoy summer and prepare for school.  “We cannot let these kids get left behind,” Project Director Lilinoi Grace told the Hawaii Tribune Herald.

Boston Summer Programs Host More Than 12,000 Youth, Patch Charlestown (Massachusetts)

Boston After School & Beyond is supporting 95 virtual and in-person summer learning programs this summer, helping more than 12,000 students explore their passions, learn new skills and stay connected to one another. Activities focus on mixed martial arts, exercise science. leadership development, sailing, storytelling, soccer, film editing and more. “The programs in our network have demonstrated remarkable creativity and persistence, rising to the challenge of the pandemic to serve the young people of Boston,” Chris Smith, executive director of Boston After School & Beyond, told Patch Charlestown. “Despite numerous obstacles, program leaders have found ways to engage kids in learning and keep them connected to one another.”

Freedom Schools Come to Wilmington, Here’s What the Program is All About, Port City Daily (North Carolina)

At the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program in Wilmington, North Carolina, about 50 students are spending their summer dancing, singing, creating art, reading, writing and more, while taking extra precautions and social distancing. The program features a culturally responsive curriculum that uses literature to spark student discussions on racism, sexism, and other social issues, led by student leader interns from local universities. “The heart of Freedom School is letting our scholars know they can make a difference in their families, in themselves, in their communities,” site coordinator Keisha Robinson told the Port City Daily. “We’re building them up here but they’re taking it someplace else with them.”