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Schools have to open on Aug. 17 for students with ‘no place to go.’ What does that mean?

Originally posted on AZCentral

Some kids just need a place to go during the day. Some just need a meal, or an internet connection.

COVID-19 hasn’t changed that fact — but it’s made it harder for some Arizona families to find those services, partly due to school closures.

Many state and education leaders do not want to reopen in-person classes yet in the face of the pandemic. Gov. Doug Ducey and schools Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced last week that schools would wait to get the go-ahead to reopen from health officials, who will set benchmarks using health data.

But Ducey’s latest order requires schools to open in some capacity for the students with no place to go starting Aug. 17.

The definition of the students requiring the in-person service is broad, which has led to some criticism from educators worried that schools will be overwhelmed with students seeking in-person education.

The leaders who helped develop the state’s most recent plan, however, say the provision to reopen for vulnerable students is critical.

“Otherwise, they are in an unsafe environment at home,” Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa and chair of the House Education Committee, said.

Which students can go in person?

Representatives from several school districts across the Valley said they were still surveying community members to get a sense of the need for on-site learning starting Aug. 17.

Mesa Superintendent Andi Fourlis said last week that her district would likely prioritize the children of essential workers. Veronica Sanchez, with the Cartwright School District, wrote in an email that parents who need a place to send their kids have been asked to reach out to school principals as soon as possible.

Ducey’s executive order allows schools to limit which students go in person on Aug. 17, so schools are still able to follow social distancing procedures.

One of the largest school districts in the state, Tucson, will seek a waiver from the state to avoid the requirement, Tucson Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said. Pima County Health Department officials announced on Tuesday that the county’s schools should not reopen, for any reason, as COVID-19 case numbers are high.

Trujillo said the district will still offer very limited in-person services, specifically for students categorized as “medically fragile.” Those students usually need around-the-clock care, he said. The district also will open up some space for students with no internet connections.

“This is an emergency model for an emergency situation,” Trujillo said.

What will school look like?

Udall said how buildings reopen on Aug. 17 for vulnerable students will vary from school to school. She expects that many will open a “learning lab” model, where students sit in front of laptops completing online school, with adults around to monitor and supervise.

The Dysart Unified School District is among the districts opening a community learning lab on Aug. 17, according to Renee Ryon, a spokesperson for the northwest Valley district. The labs are open to all students, but there will be limited space. More information will be available next week.

Hoffman, in announcing the latest executive order, said schools could also develop partnerships with community organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs to meet the Aug. 17 mandate.

That organization has been providing child care since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Cassidy Campana, vice president of communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. The organization is seeing about a thousands kids a day, she said.

And it’s also readying to see students through the first few weeks of school.

“Clubs are not schools,” she said. “We are not educators, we don’t purport to be educators, but we can provide that safe space, and connection to the internet and meals … and recreation and socialization and emotional support.”

Campana said starting in March, the organization had to become a space where kids could set up for online school. Every child needed to come armed with their usernames and passwords, along with instructions from parents. This upcoming year, aides from school districts will volunteer in different Boys & Girls Club, Campana said.

She said the pandemic has highlighted critical needs of low-income students. Some children had to complete school work on tiny cellphone screens. Some needed the regular meals schools usually provided.

A teenager even left a voicemail for the Boys & Girls Club CEO, Campana said, to thank them for staying open.

“So many families live not just paycheck to paycheck but really right at the edge,” she said.

Beyoncé and JAY-Z Surprise One BGCMP Club Kid with a $100,000 College Scholarship at their Phoenix On the Run II Tour Concert

Beyoncé and JAY-Z Surprise One BGCMP Club Kid with a $100,000 College Scholarship at their Phoenix On the Run II Tour Concert

(Phoenix, September 19, 2018) –  The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix  is thrilled to announce that Club member Mikayla Lowry was awarded a $100,000 college scholarship by Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s foundations, BeyGOOD Initiative and The Shawn Carter Foundation, during last night’s On the Run II Tour concert last night at the State Farm Stadium.

Nineteen Boys & Girls Clubs teens, including all 12 Youth of the Year honorees, were invited to attend the sold-out concert by the artists.  DJ Khaled came on stage before the start of the show to share the news with the crowd and surprise Mikayla, a senior at Trevor Browne High School.

Video footage thanks to Shawn Carter Foundation and BeyGOOD

The Shawn Carter Foundation and the BeyGOOD Initiative partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on this scholarship program. Beyoncé and Jay Z are planning to award $100,000 in each of the One the Run II Tour cities.  The scholarship must be awarded to an exceptional student with financial needs.  Across 11 cities, the pair plan to award a total of $1.1 million in scholarships.

The winner had no idea they have been nominated for this life changing award. 

Fast facts about the winner, Mikayla Lowry:

  • Mikayla is a senior at Trevor Browne High School
  • This student has excellent grades and a 4-year college should be in the future, but tuition likely would have put this out of reach for her family.
  • She’s currently dual-enrolled at Estrella Mountain Community College and will graduate this year with her completed Associates degree.
  • She hopes to pursue a degree in Marine Biology or Forensics at GCU or Northern Arizona University.
  • She is the first in her family to attend college. 

Mikayla’s History with BGCMP:

  • She has been a Club kid for more than 10 years – since age 6 – at the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch in Phoenix.
  • Mikayla has volunteered many hours with BGCMP’s Better to Give program where she serves in soup kitchens and in shelters. She was the Torch Club President and Keystone Vice President. (These are Boys & Girls Clubs service clubs.)
  • She was named the Youth of the Year for the Stewart Branch – 2018 and will compete in this year’s Youth of the Year program.


See this story on AZCentral.com


See this story on ABC15.com

12 best food, drink events around Valley in October; some for worthy causes

10/22: Dish It Out | Join a well-heeled crowd at this dressy culinary event, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix. Participating restaurants include Citizen Public House, Proof, Timo, The Vig, Ocean Prime and The Dhaba. Banfi Vintners, SanTan Brewing Company, Huss Brewing Co. and Tequila Herradura will be among a wide variety of wine, beer and spirits vendors. | Details: 5-8 p.m. (4:15 p.m. admission for VIPs) Sunday, Oct. 22. High Street, 5415 E. High St., Phoenix. $75 for general admission, $500 for VIP. 602-343-1204, dishitoutaz.org.

Full Article Click Here

Season for Sharing: Thank You Thursday

Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix was awarded $32,000 through Season for Sharing on March 17, 2016. | “With funding from Season for Sharing, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix will provide the educational resources to ensure that our Club kids can and will graduate high school; that they are prepared for college and the workforce; and that they are inspired to succeed academically.

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BGCAZ is a 501(c)3 (nonprofit) organization and donations are tax deductible. Federal Tax ID: 86-0550646

 

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