MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – Manatee County parents with e-learning students have a new physical space to learn, as an after-school program becomes a ‘during’ school program.
“It was just a favor from God that fell from out of the sky that said for the Boys & Girls club to open up these E-learning opportunities for students,” Father, Roosevelt Dunbar said.
Dunbar has a 15-year-old son going to Palmetto High and a 13-year-old nephew going to Lincoln Memorial Academy. Both are learning online, but instead of at home, now it’s the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee.
“It’s really an opportunity to help support kids in a safe environment and give them that additional guidance so that they can stay on track. And the structure,” BGC Manatee president, Dawn Stanhope said.
And they’re helping students struggling with internet access. Stanhope says they want to help lift the burden off of parents working full time and/or struggling with the times.
It gives Dunbar some peace of mind.
“He would be in a safe place, I know where he’s at, and he would just have the opportunity to work with the staff at the Boys and Girls Club,” Dunbar said.
Every student is screened and required to wear masks. Classrooms are limited to nine students with monitors walking around assisting students during their classes.
“While we’re not the teachers, we are supporting them and ensuring them that they’re getting online ok and that they’re able to access ‘Schoology,’ which is the platform that our district uses for all of their education,” Stanhope said.
And they’re making sure they’re eating and taking breaks away from the computer.
The program is completely free for the families.
“And we’re only able to do that because we were able to get funding through the cares act in our county, as well as through philanthropy with donors,” Stanhope said.
They haven’t charged any fees to families since April.
“We’re very happy we get to help in some way, even if it might only be a small thing, it could mean the world to someone who’s got one less thing that they have to worry about,” Stanhope said.
“It kind of eased the pressure of them having to be home by themselves,” Dunbar said. “I was excited when they offered the opportunity, I jumped on it real quick.”
After the school work is complete, the students can enjoy the normal activities the club offers: playing sports and doing interactive activities inside. Adding some fun social interaction with students in a socially distanced way.
Parents interested can still sign up. There are slots available at both the Bradenton and Palmetto locations. There’s more information here.
