In response to recent school closures, CSCA staff are implementing virtual ways to maintain strong relationships with their students as regularly scheduled apprenticeships are now postponed until further notice. As school closures are extended, our staff are preparing to work even more closely with school leaders and teachers to directly support the potential academic slide. We are preparing to return to school ready to support wherever we are needed the most.

Staff at Renaissance Academy at Mathson, led by Campus Director Haifa Yousafzai, have organized activities and challenges for students to stay connected, healthy, and active during their time at home. Teaching Fellows arranged virtual lessons and games such as a scavenger hunt, music exploration sessions, cooking and baking challenges, and a push-up work-out challenge. They also spent the week calling families to see how their students are coping with the changes around them and utilized virtual tools to connect with their peers and educators.

Teaching Fellow Manali Souda says, “I think in this moment of uncertainty, it’s been really reassuring to be able to reach out to students and families and let them know that Citizen Schools, in partnership with the school, is here to support them. Just today a student commented on one of the activities I put up, which had to do with world music, and linked a song that she really liked. At a time when we’re all being forced apart, it’s really heartening to see how much students and families still want to connect and hear from us, and as a team we’re all coming together to make sure we can provide the same kind of support for students that we typically provided in person.”

Teaching Fellow Renee Lemieux shares that “During this time I find my focus is on bringing as much joy and light into the lives of people I come across, whether they are colleagues, family members, strangers, friends, students, or family members of the students. In times of isolation and confusion, the most powerful tool is kindness. Spread kindness, compassion, and support whenever possible, from a distance of course. At the end of the day we, as a team, are taking every step we can to show the students, families, and our community that we are thinking about them and here to support however possible.”

We are proud of our CSCA staff for being innovative, patient, kind, and strong problem-solvers during this challenging time. They continue to work hard and collaborate on new solutions as a team, exemplifying all of the values we aim to teach our students everyday.