Trending
More local organizations are using "learning pod" programs to support students who are learning virtually.
Amy Detwiler, administrative assistant for the Center City Church in Altoona, said the church launched a pod program called the Learning Hub during the first week of school.
"I think school districts having to make last-minute decisions based on CDC recommendations caused some panic for parents," she said. The church, she said, looked to fill new needs of parents and allay their fears.
Detwiler said the program has "upward of six to 10 students" in the hub, with room for 20. The hub is located at Center City Church's 801 Pleasant Valley Blvd. location. The program has a certified teacher who monitors the room during the day.
Family Services Inc. has been running a pod program at its R.K. Agarwal M.D. & Family Teen Center & Shelter at 1701 Sixth Ave. It is available to any Blair County student 12 and older, said Executive Director Lisa Hann.
"We were getting a lot of information that kids were struggling to get the 'online thing' ratcheted down," she said.
Though the teen center's shelter and after-school program have continued to serve many youth, she said only one student goes regularly to their pod program, with another likely to join.
"We've been very underutilized," she said. The program has a capacity of 10 students. Hann said she hopes to bring in more, especially those 12 to 14 years old.
George Sackandy, board member of ArtsAltoona, said the number of children participating in the organization's learning pod program has increased. He also said the organization is now offering scholarships for students who qualify for free and reduced-cost lunches.
Because of the scholarship, the program is able to cover half of the normal $100 fee for the fall session, according to a release by the organization.
Sackandy said the organization decided that rather than making a full scholarship, they would offer a half-scholarship, so families still had "ownership" in the program, while the organization could subsidize the cost for more students.
ArtsAltoona Board President Donna Gority said she is hoping the availability of these scholarships will allow more students to join the program. She said feedback for it has been positive.
Detwiler said parents have been appreciative of the church's program.
"Parents have said that students are getting work done more quickly here with a teacher rather than home by themselves," she said.
Hann said she has heard from many community members about students suffering depression from the isolation of a virtual learning environment. She said Family Services wants to offer a place where kids can be together during the school day.
Sackandy said there's now a lot of pod options for parents to consider. He said if the pandemic does worsen with the onset of the flu season, virtual classes will continue or even expand, and learning pod programs will be critical.
"We would need all of these programs, and more, to accommodate working parents and keep these kids moving ahead," he said.
Mirror Staff Writer Dom Cuzzolina is at 946-7428.