GOSHEN - Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County is doing whatever it takes to make sure that kids are learning at grade level in English and math. That is being helped in Goshen by a partnership with the Goshen Community Schools.
As part of a "Learning Recovery Grant" in Indiana House Bill 1008, the two organizations are working together to provide tutors and space for students in the KidsCare after-school programs at Model, Waterford and Chandler Elementary schools and at the Goshen Clubhouse.
Indiana lawmakers passed the legislation to help students who have experienced learning loss; have fallen behind in acquiring anticipated grade level academic skills and knowledge; have scored below academic standards or average benchmarks; or are at risk of falling below academic standards due to the disruption in student education caused by coronavirus.
"We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity for additional tutoring at our locations. Young people have been through a lot in the past 18 months with periods of remote learning. We want to make sure they're getting the help that they need," said Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County President and CEO Kevin Deary.
At times during the pandemic, students missed out on in-person contact with their teachers, socialization with their peers and the support of other school staff members. With the grant money, Goshen Schools is hiring two tutors to work at each Boys & Girls Clubs KidsCare location.
Those tutors will work one-on-one with KidsCare students identified by the Goshen Schools as needing extra assistance. The tutors and students will meet a couple times each week, developing a learning experience that builds on what is happening at school.
"GCS students have reportedly experienced less learning loss than some schools, which is a credit to GCS teachers and staff, but it has still been difficult to meet the individual needs of all students," Associate Superintendent Alan Metcalfe said.
He said the extra tutoring students will receive will benefit all who participate. Additionally, students with special needs or those who are learning in their second language, may need the extra support to get to, or stay on, grade level.
"The in-person tutoring will go a long way toward making up for lost in-person instruction, and provide a setting where questions can be answered and misunderstandings corrected on the spot," Metcalfe said.
Progress in the program will be monitored and reported to the state throughout the school year.
Indiana lawmakers passed the legislation to help students who have experienced learning loss; have fallen behind in acquiring anticipated grade level academic skills and knowledge; have scored below academic standards or average benchmarks; or are at risk of falling below academic standards due to the disruption in student education caused by coronavirus.
"We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity for additional tutoring at our locations. Young people have been through a lot in the past 18 months with periods of remote learning. We want to make sure they're getting the help that they need," said Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County President and CEO Kevin Deary.
At times during the pandemic, students missed out on in-person contact with their teachers, socialization with their peers and the support of other school staff members. With the grant money, Goshen Schools is hiring two tutors to work at each Boys & Girls Clubs KidsCare location.
Those tutors will work one-on-one with KidsCare students identified by the Goshen Schools as needing extra assistance. The tutors and students will meet a couple times each week, developing a learning experience that builds on what is happening at school.
"GCS students have reportedly experienced less learning loss than some schools, which is a credit to GCS teachers and staff, but it has still been difficult to meet the individual needs of all students," Associate Superintendent Alan Metcalfe said.
He said the extra tutoring students will receive will benefit all who participate. Additionally, students with special needs or those who are learning in their second language, may need the extra support to get to, or stay on, grade level.
"The in-person tutoring will go a long way toward making up for lost in-person instruction, and provide a setting where questions can be answered and misunderstandings corrected on the spot," Metcalfe said.
Progress in the program will be monitored and reported to the state throughout the school year.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County began operations in 1956, and today the Clubs provide programming and services for the most at-risk boys and girls within the community. Each day, the Clubs provide powerful relationships with the youth they serve and open avenues of opportunity for young people across their community by offering safe places where young people can learn, grow and succeed.
