It’s expected to complement the Frederick County School System’s virtual learning.
Frederick, Md (KM) An enrichment program is being offered this year by the YMCA of Frederick County. Angela Dudek, the Y’s Executive Director of Childcare, says the program, called Learn Y, Y Cares, will admit students age five to 12.
“It is meant to partner with the Frederick County Public Schools to assist the children in their distance learning as well as offer some other enrichment activities and socialization activities for the children,:” say Dudek.
The program, which begins on August 31st, will operate five days a week from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, but families can opt for a three-day program. . “Our staff will help with the technology and getting the children connected. And will assist the children in their assignments and any homework that comes from those assignments,” says Dudek.
While most of the time is set aside for completing assignments, there will be other enrichment activities. “We have STEM activities that are part of our day to day. But we also have a nature enrichment, a sports enrichment and an art enrichment,” says Dudek.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
And the YMCA staff will be ready to help if a student is having difficulty with a subject. “Some of our staff do actually have teaching credential. So those staff will be able to go a little deeper with their curriculum. Otherwise, our current staff are like a tutor so they can also assist,” says Dudek.
Last week, the Board of Education decided to hold virtual classes through the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year. . But it could decide to reopen schools during the spring semester. If that happens, Dudek says the Learn Y, Y Cares will adjust. “So if they decide to hybrid, we will simply adjust our program to back them up. If they end back 100% in the classroom, then we will still be providing our normal before and after school program that we’ve always provided,” she says.
There is a cost for the program, but the YMCA says financial assistance is available. For more information go to https://frederickymca.org/programs/education.
YMCA members began registering on August 4th. Non-members can start signing up on August 8th.
By Kevin McManus