Boys and Girls Club/YMCA Collaboration to Give Students a Safe Place to Learn

Superintendent Kathy Hoffman on Friday announced a new partnership with the Arizona Boys and Girls Club and YMCA that will give children a safe place for learning.

The partnership is also in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Education and Gov. Doug Ducey’s office.

Following the most recent executive order, schools are required to provide a physical space to complete distance learning for students most at risk.

The partnership will feature a five-week “bridge period” from Aug. 10 to Sept. 11 to help give communities across Arizona a safe place for learning and development.

Approximately $1.2 million from the federal coronavirus relief bill has been allocated in order to support these educational efforts among the community, school districts and charters.

“While the need and availability of this space is expected to vary between school communities, the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Valley of the Sun YMCA will continue to be critical partners for schools and communities as they come together to support students this school year,” Hoffman said in a press release.

“As schools begin their distance learning plans, the extra support provided by community organizations will provide a relief valve for schools to ensure that every student who needs a safe place to learn, has one.”

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said the state has been working with child care facilities that have remained open, and there have been no major outbreaks.

She said that those venues can safely be opened when schools do because schools have to deal with so many more children.