OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — With return-to-school plans still up in the air or fluid as some say, one thing for sure is that some working parents will need help educating their kids at home this fall.
Whether you need help just two days a week or five days, several organizations are coming up with solutions to help ease the burden of teaching responsibility for parents.
Community organizations like NorthStar are already in the throws of making plans to help parents with teaching responsibilities.
"Because Omaha has a 3-2 start, we are going to create a day program for students who are not in school and an after school program for kids who are in school," explained Jim Stevens, director of education for the NorthStar Foundation. "So we'll run a program that runs, roughly, from 8:00 in the morning, until 2:00 in the afternoon, and then we'll do another one that starts from about 3:30 in the afternoon and goes until 7:00 p.m."
NorthStar is an after-school program that provides under-served students with a safe place that also offers fun activities and academic support.
Also, places like our local zoo is stepping up with fall educational programs to help parents out as well.
"We know there is going to be a need with the adjusted schedules for kids attending school, and so we are able to provide a safe environment for kids," said Julie Anderson, education program manager for the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. "And what better place to learn than at the zoo. Camp Little Lion will incorporate investigation, math, literacy; we will be able to incorporate what kids will be learning during the school day, but putting a zoo twist on it."
And the idea seems to be supported and appreciated by parents
"I think it's a great, new, innovative approach to getting the kids to learn and out of the house and into the world," said parent Tony Ardito. "As bad as the pandemic has been, we still have to find ways to continue on with the new norm,"
With school being just a few weeks away, now is the time to work on having a backup educational plans in place. Each school district has its own policy for returning to school, so check their websites regularly as things are still being finalized.
