The pandemic has set back learning for all students, but especially for students of color. As we work to offset the impacts of the pandemic, both academically and social-emotionally, we are left to answer the critical question: what can we do to come out of this pandemic stronger than we were before?
One solution that will start us down the path of educational recovery is, as part of a collective city-wide effort, to be resolute and intentional in our support for youth regardless of our specific role in the community. Each of us has a part to play to ensure that our students are supported and that they are connecting with caring adults in every aspect of their lives. Whether you’re the corner store owner, cafeteria worker, camp counselor, or neighbor, you can help reduce learning loss and support kids socially and emotionally.
Refer to this infographic and use the graphics below to help spread the message of learning loss reduction in our community.
Hashtags
#ReduceLearningLoss
#EveryChild
#CradletoCareer
Handles to know
Twitter | @ROCtheFuture
Facebook | ROCtheFuture
Graphics
What can families do?
Many students are learning remotely and through hybrid instruction. While home, play with your child outdoors, explore new places like the beach, park and museum and talk about what they experience. Do projects together like cooking, art and gardening. Be sure to enroll your child in after-school and summer programs that they enjoy. Ask your child’s teacher for specific skills to practice at home.
Many students are learning remotely and through hybrid instruction. While home, play with your child outdoors, explore new places like the beach, park and museum and talk about what they experience. Practice what your child is learning at school at home.
What can schools do?
Reading and math are critical to academic success. Keep students immersed in grade-level work and support them as needed. Tutoring is a great way to offer individualized help. Try 50 minutes of tutoring per day. Small groups of summer instruction will help bridge the gap by tracking student growth frequently and sharing progress with students and families.
Reading and math are critical to academic success. Keep students immersed in grade-level work and support them as needed. Tutoring is a great way to offer individualized help. Try 50 minutes of tutoring per day. Use small group instruction over the summer to beat summer slide.
What can summer and after-school programs do?
Out of school time provides a great opportunity to develop caring relationships and safe spaces where youth feel like they belong. Engage youth in planning, problem solving and reflecting on their experiences. Help children develop skills to listen and cooperate, express their opinions and empathize with others.
Out of school time is a great opportunity to develop caring relationships & safe spaces where youth feel like they belong. Engage youth in planning & reflecting on their experiences. Help children develop skills to listen & cooperate, express their opinions & empathize w/ others.
What can community members do?
Facebook & Twitter
See a kid in the community? Ask about their goals and plans for achieving them. Share how you overcame challenges in your life. Invite youth to shadow you at work or offer them a summer job. Volunteer as a coach or tutor or teach a class at a recreation center.