Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 5-29-20

Feature
Tampa Park Provides Tutoring For School-Aged Residents Due To COVID-19’s Interruption Of School Year
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
As the nation still fights the coronavirus, African Americans remain under- served. Like many commu- nities, the residents who live in the Tampa Park commu- nity have struggled with their children being out of school, lay-offs, and a looming change of residence.
“With so much hitting each household during this pandemic, the hardest part of the life equation is the fact that the children have been out of school since March,” says Christine Irvin, Resi- dent Manager at the prop- erty.
Irvin, who has a school- aged granddaughter that lives on the property, shared the concerns with Tampa Park CFO, Allison Clebert. In response, Clebert knew something had to be done to help the young residents, at least with one of the issues they were facing...falling be- hind. So she formulated and set-up ‘Tutoring Time’ to offer tutoring.
Mrs. Clebert has always been concerned about Brown children often being left be- hind scholastically. She has been homeschooling her own three children and has em- ployed a certified tutor to as- sist her for many years.
So, Mrs. Clebert and Ms. Irvin brainstormed and knew the first task was to see if any parents even wanted the help. So she and Irvin sent out a notice to the resi- dents with children.
Next, the execution of the plan had to be well thought out because of COVID-19. The children’s safety and the safety of Tampa Park staffers was a priority. So, the Tampa Park Board allowed the re- opening of the Resource Cen- ter in Tampa Park Plaza, so the children’s desk could be spaced 10 ft. apart. Another precautionary measure em- ployed is each session begins with temperature taking, fol- lowed by a list of questions asked of the parents. Strict social distancing guidelines were also established and taught.
The tutoring group
‘Tutoring Time’ set-up in Tampa Park Plaza to assist school- aged residents during shutdown.
Brain Chill
Computer Room
Reading Time
started out with 12 students, initially, ranging from 1st to 10th grade. Tutoring Time op- erates two days a week for three hours.
The tutor, Noelle Mon- toya, has a home tutoring business and has been tutor- ing the Clebert children since they were three years old. She is certified and has been tutoring at home for years. She provides Tutoring Time with virtual tutoring via Zoom. Ms. Montoya has al- ready assessed the children and developed teaching plans for small group learn- ing in reading and in math. The students use workbooks by Kahn Academy for math and I-Ready for reading. Ad- ditional workbooks are com- ing from Lakeshore Academy which has been incredibly supportive of ‘Tutoring Time.’
Five computers were re- stored and setup inside the Center. Since the Resource Center has many offices and cubicles, the kids are able to be separated by learning groups. There are two learn- ing group rooms, one with three computers in one room and two in the other. There is also a lounge area for inde- pendent study and reading, along with a “brain” break
room for kids to chill if they need a break.
After the program started, the need to not go above the 12 children had to be enforced, because it was the best manageable amount of children in the room. Cur-
rently, no new children are being taken into the pilot program because of COVID- 19 concerns and the health and safety of both workers and students.
The program is only for residents of Tampa Park Apartments and is com- pletely free.
The plan now is to con- tinue the program through the summer to give the child- ren learning support in an encouraging environment. However, final plans are in flux, depending on the Hills- borough County Summer School program schedule and plans for reopening.
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A