A Safe Space for Remote Learning: An Update from The Legacy Academy
Now entering its third week, The 6-12 Scholars Project (Project Legacy’s learning pods), is gaining momentum as it helps students navigate remote learning with a safe space and solid support.
When classes moved onto Zoom and Google Classroom last spring, many of our youth expressed difficulty with the switch, whether due to faulty tech, inconsistent home environments, or isolation for so many hours.
These struggles were reflected in their GPAs.
One of Project Legacy’s core missions is to reduce barriers to learning while also helping youth grappling with trauma. We saw families of means hire private tutors and form ‘pods’ to help their students through COVID-era education, took that idea, and tailored it to the youth we serve.
Staffed by Youth Development Specialists, the project operates out of The Empowerment Center Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students schedule their days at the center ahead of time, so each morning staff knows who to prepare for.
The office, once furnished with comfy couches, blankets, candles, is now as spaced out as possible. Each of the three rooms has been converted into a makeshift classroom for two, with a pair of desks (provided thanks to a generous donation from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous), as well as plants, salt lamps, inspirational posters, and other comforting embellishments. On their first day in the space, each student is assigned a personal crate with school supplies and a blanket, which they take to their desks for the day.
Safety-wise, our mask policy is strict and our students have adhered to it faithfully. When students arrive, they have their forehead’s scanned for temperature, get a mask if they need one, and settle into their workspaces (which are sanitized daily). Youth Development Specialists, at least one per room, check in and out as the day goes.
Far from recalcitrant adolescents, our students are usually hunkered under hooded blankets hustling through their work. Google Classrooms and Zoom-streamed lectures fill up our Wi-Fi’s bandwidth, and if there’s a question (or off-taskedness), the staff is on it immediately. Thanks to our ability to track students’ schedules and grades online, we can also anticipate potential tutoring needs.
The intermittent socially-distanced snack, yoga, and skateboarding breaks do more to make this feel like a ‘normal’ school day than anything else. Health regulations have forced us to stop cooking and providing meals to students on site, but we are able to bring in school lunches and individually wrapped restaurant offerings for our socially-distanced outside lunch periods.
These pods are an incredible resource for our youth. More than just help with school work, they are part of a long-term commitment to building relationships and addressing trauma. If you would like to get involved, you can learn more here.