CLAY COUNTY – With schools reopening in Clay County amid health concerns, parents and guardians have been given the option of sending their children back to the classroom or allowing them to learn virtually via online portals. This will enable children whose parents are concerned with them having increased exposure to the COVID-19 virus to make sure they continue to learn in a safe environment.

That does, however, create other possible issues. Some parents may need to return to work or may lack a high-speed internet connection and computer equipment to facilitate distance learning.

The YMCA wants to help.

“We recognize that there’s a lot of families who have opted out of returning to brick and mortar schools, or at least taking their child back right away,” said Chuck Steinfurth, Afterschool Experience Executive with the YMCA. “There’s several thousand in Clay County. We also know that some of those parents still have to work. We want to provide a space for the parents who may be arent yet comfortable sending their kids back to school. But still feel safe putting them in small environment where they can continue their either virtual or distance learning.”

They YMCA waited until the school district announced their plan for the current school before putting out information on this. The goal was to provide another backup plan for parents as the new year started.

“We are having classroom sizes of 12 students at the most,” said Steinfurth.

If there is enough interest from families, a maximum of 36 children can enroll for this program between the Dye Clay and Barco-Newton YMCA locations. The cost is $150 weekly if the student is a member of the YMCA and $180 weekly if the student isn’t amember. For those facing financial hardship, there is assistance available.

The YMCA has redesigned their spaces to closer resemble a classroom environment and also has increased their Wi-Fi connectivity to ensure that students won’t have issues while they are working. Each student will have an individual workspace.

“We are committed to making sure students in Clay County have the best chance at academic success and want to support both families and schools to reach that goal,” Steinfirth said.

YMCA staff will also be expected to support the students during the education process, according to Steinfurth, whether the issue is academic or technical. Parents are expected to pack a lunch and snack. The centers will be open between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to try and meet the schedules of working parents.

The usual safety precautions will be taken. Students will be required to wear masks and will be temperatures will be checked and screened each morning.