The uncertainty of the coming school year and drastic difference in education for kids is leaving parents scrambling, wondering how to make it all work. While getting through this school year may be no easy feat, there are some resources and places to help you and your kids not just survive, but thrive.
High Exposure in Northvale is offering parents a unique opportunity to provide kids with in-person remote learning through their Distance Learning solution. Available for kids in Kindergarten through 7th grade, High Exposure is setting up virtual learning stations where kids will be monitored while completing their school work, as well as basic help. Plus their facility allows daily exercise from climbing to ninja warrior and outdoor exploration.
Local YMCAs are also offering camps to support your child’s remote learning and the lessons provided by their school teacher. Ridgewood YMCA is offering full or half day on-site remote learning support. Their staff will help students with their assignments, as well as provide enrichment activities and social-building skills during breaks in the day. Wyckoff YMCA also has a new K through 5 program for virtual school days, which includes remote learning help, outdoor play, activities and more.
If you can’t keep your Zoom meetings straight from your kids, iPlusOne Academy is here to help. This Korean Bilingual Preschool is offering full day, in-person virtual learning for elementary school students this year. Their teachers will help with assignments, ensure virtual meetings are met, answer questions and provide enrichment activities.
Studio L Dance is currently exploring their own in-person, virtual learning support option. Their offerings will be finalized once school plans are, but the tentative plans are to use the dance studios to give kids age K to 12 a place to do their virtual class work with kids of a similar age. Plus, kids who attend will also get physical activity with one dance class during lunchtime. (Studio L Dance Co., 4 North Street, Waldwick, email [email protected] for more information)
To supplement virtual learning and increased screen time, Tenafly Nature Center is offering an outdoor enrichment program. It’s a great way to give the kids a break from staring at their computer and engage in the natural world around them. They’re also scheduling private series for pre-formed pod groups. The enrichment offerings are available for Kindergarten through 12th grade. Have a preschooler who’s a nature lover? The new Forest Preschool at the Nature Center allows little ones to explore and develop confidence.
This school year, Pandemic Pods are the new black. Pods are small group lessons (typically with two to five kids) to reinforce and supplement remote learning plans from the school. They contain kids of the same grade and school who can learn academically together as well as get that social element. Private Prep provides teachers to oversee a pre-formed pod, anywhere from one day a week to five, at a home setting of the group’s choice. Plus, they send daily or weekly summaries to parents. Tutor’s Link Learning Center is another resource for learning groups and remote help. They also provide workshops from literacy to test prep to enrichments to keep kids engaged and excited. BrainStorm Tutoring is also offering one-on-one instruction for students, as well as customizable options for microschool education, with an additional focus on providing emotional wellness.
If you’ve taken on the remote learning plan yourself, and need a little assistance, there are handy apps to help your child (and you!) get through the work. The photomath app helps families manage math work – particularly those of us who need a refresh on common core. The app allows you to scan a math problem, and it breaks down the solution step by step. For help with literacy, the Bob Books Reading Magic App is a great start to teaching your beginning readers phonics.
And if you’re just looking to get away from it all, check out – and check in – to Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Their Knowledge For All Seasons program is offering support for remote learning with their tech hotline, study buddy program and well as well-rounded classes on the beachfront.
