August is the time we all begin the back-to-school scramble. This particular August, things will be different for most. The Prince George's County Public School system, along with many others, has decided that the 2020-21 school year will commence with distance learning through January 2021 at which point they will re-assess the COVID-19 situation and adjust plans accordingly. While some parents have been able to find a "new normal" in the midst of social distancing, others are still reassessing how exactly they will make this "new normal" work for their respective families. To help ease the transition from an atypical summer to a similarly unusual school year, The Aafiyah Project will set in motion the Ready-Set-LAUNCH back-to-school program to help support students returning to school (KG to 12 grade) as well as preschoolers.
The support to students will include:
Virtual homework and tutoring support in math, reading, study skills, and test preparations in collaboration with the Isiaq Foundation
After-school clubs: Aafiyah Kids Club (ages 6 months - 6 years); Aafiyah STARs (ages 7 - 12 years); and Senior STARs (ages 13 - 17 years) {stay tuned for more details to come on our website}
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities in partnership with SciTech2U
Here are some tips that students may find useful as they dive into distance learning, be it homeschool, virtual school, or hybrid school.
Have a positive attitude. Change can be tough, but we can all adjust to it with a little positive attitude. Remember to be flexible. Be ready to deal with challenges and/or setback that may come.
Get organized. Ensure that you have all your school supplies handy. Bookmark education/instructional sites that you visit most often: classroom account, school website/ portals, school calendar etc.
Start and stay on track. Make it a habit to be ready. Practice being "on time." For example, try logging into your classroom at least five minutes before class starts. It is also a good idea to make use of electronic or paper-based agenda or calendar to keep track of assignments, due dates etc.
Connect with friends. Now that you're back in school...well, sort of...be sure to reconnect with your friends. With your parent's permission, meet up to on Zoom, Google Hangout, Skype, or Facetime to exercise together, chat with one another, have study sessions, or just simply catch up.
Set up a dedicated study area. Set up your learning space away from distractions. Be sure to find a spot that is conducive to learning. It should be well lit area, preferably with a desk and chair, so that you can work more comfortably. Sometimes you may be able to make use of furniture that are already fixtures in your home or purchase something practical but keep your costs low. Also ensure that you have an outlet for charging your electronics (computers, tablets) close by.
Wishing everyone a successful 2020-21 school year ahead. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat nutritious meals to help you stay healthy.
[An old end table may be suitable to younger ones (top-left); a corner style table can be a space-saver (top-right); and an old console table may be more fitting for older kids (bottom)]
Be sure to follow us on FaceBook (The Aafiyah Project), Instagram (@TheAafiyahProject), and Twitter (@ProjectAafiyah).
Written by 'Demi Fauziyyah ADEBO-Adelaja