YMCA of Greater Waukesha County Learning Pods Support Learners

WAUKESHA, WI—In another opportunity to serve the community, The YMCA of Greater Waukesha County has launched Y CLASS (Collaborative Learning & Student Support) in-person learning pods at its Southwest (Greenfield) and Tri-County (Menomonee Falls) branches to assist students remote learning through their school district.

The program runs until the end of September but if there still is a need it will continue past September.

Emily Salas, Marketing Director, said they knew many school districts were going virtual or hybrid models.

"A lot of people in our communities are working parents that need help during the day and maybe can't take off work," Salas told Patch.

She added the YMCA wanted to provide a safe place for children to go and help students while still allowing them to be active throughout the day.

The learning pods are for children ages 4 to 13. Currently, Southwest Y has 15 children affiliated with West Allis/West Milwaukee, New Berlin and Waukesha School Districts, and 11 children attending Tri-County Y affiliated with Menomonee Falls school district. A total of 40 students are enrolled in the program, according to Salas.

More than half are Wisconsin Shares recipients.

"One of the great things is you don't have to be a Y member to take the opportunity," she said.

Led by experienced childcare staff with COVID-19 safety protocols including small group size, social distancing, face coverings and enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures. Financial assistance available and Wisconsin Shares (state childcare provided subsidies) are accepted.

"Our parents are thankful we are running this program. We can accommodate a lot of different schools," Salas said.

She added parents appreciate their kids are going somewhere safe with qualified instructors. They are not just doing their school work but enhancing their social interactions with different students.

Salas told Patch many children haven't been to school since last March when the pandemic hit.

Y CLASS supports student academic, physical and mental health by helping students stay on task and avoid education back slides while also offering social interaction and outdoor health and fitness activities. Salas told Patch this also includes making sure they have a healthy lunch and snacks.

The YMCA of Greater Waukesha County continues to provide before and after school programming on site at the schools in its six partner school districts, as well as running at its Waukesha branch after school programming in which the Y picks up students from nearby schools and transports them to the Y.