One of the big challenges during Covid19 is making sure students stay on top of their education while stay at home orders are in place. Most schools here and across the country have moved to remote education. Online education comes with many obstacles, especially for students where English is a second language.
Canopy has been advocating for our families by making sure every household has the technology they need to support online learning. Our partnerships with Claremont Unified School District and Miry’s List have allowed us to secure school issued iPads for all of our primary students, as well as donated chrome books for our college age kids. We have made sure our families have access to the internet and mobile hot spots if needed.
The technology of remote learning is just step one, it can be very challenging as an ESL students and their families to navigate log-ins and making sure assignments and expectations are understood. Canopy has been partnering with teachers and a team of volunteers from both Claremont High School, as well as the Claremont Colleges, to make sure the online learning can go as smoothly as possible. Jude Emmert, a CHS sophomore and Boy Scout, has dedicated his Eagle Scout project to helping Canopy tutor our kids during the Covid19 pandemic. He has recruited other scouts and students to be paired with many of our elementary aged kids. Each of the high school students goes through a short training and tutorial, then is paired with a Canopy child. We have had this program up and running for a month and the results have been amazing. The student volunteers are in contact with the child’s teacher, as well as their parents. The CHS tutor checks-in multiple times a week over Zoom and FaceTime to help with homework, provide story time or to just chat and stay connected. Not only has this program helped keep kids academically on track, new life long relationships have started to form which is wonderful to see.
Here are some photos and testimonials from the tutors on how this program and working with Canopy has been going:
“I’m really glad the tutoring program is helping. It feels really good to help the kids solve problems, even small ones.” Jude E., CHS Sophomore
“I have absolutely loved working with Hala and Tamara over the past weeks through Claremont Canopy. They are bright and funny, and are teaching me as much about life as I’m teaching them. Whether we are drawing together, solving math problems, or sharing about our day, we are grateful for each other’s presence. This has been a wonderful experience and perhaps more important than helping them with their academics, is the potentially long term relationship I hope to establish with them.” Maya G., CHS Junior
“Even though I have only been a tutor with Claremont Canopy for a month, I have enjoyed every call with my student M because she always brightens my day with her bubbly personality! Having the opportunity to assist M with her subjects that are challenging for her has made me a more grateful and responsible person.” Mercer, CHS sophomore
This crisis has required everyone to think outside the box in order to stay connected and stay on track with education. We are so grateful for the Claremont High School students and dedicated staff for helping us continue to make sure the future generation of Claremont Canopy neighbors continues to thrive.
Stay safe, together we got this!
Christy
