YERINGTON, Nev. – Facing many challenges head-on, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley has released its plan for the start of the 2020-21 school year.
The Club will have a special emphasis on schoolwork heading into the new year. Over the past few months, Club staff have worked to best serve the youth of Lyon and Mineral County in a year of distance learning, including providing technology, space, tutoring and meals to its members on their off-track weeks. The Club will continue to serve those youth attending school on any given week with fun and enriching programming afterschool as well. A preschool program running in eight-week sessions will be provided, at no charge, in Yerington.
“This school year is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” said Travis Crowder, chief professional officer. “It’s going to take our youth, parents, school personnel, and entire communities coming together to make it happen and we’re proud we can take a part in supporting these kids and teens.”
All four of Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley’s communities will have sites open all day, Monday through Friday. The hours at the Club where a child would typically be attending school will be focused on school, with youth attending virtual classes, working on their packets, and getting help on any school and homework they need to get done. Programming will then shift to a more traditional afterschool look later in the afternoon. Schedules at each site will be specific to that communities’ needs and its school schedule.
Additionally, youth in Dayton will have a new place to go every day with a new, dedicated site opening this fall in what was the third community to be added to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley family.
“We’re home, and we’re building toward a great future,” Crowder said.
While an official open date for the clubhouse hasn’t been set, Boys & Girls Club staff anticipate the clubhouse will not be open at full capacity by the start of school, and a second, temporary site will be open at the Dayton Community Center until then. The new clubhouse, located near Sutro and Riverview Elementary, features more than 3,500 square feet of programming space and, while set up for COVID-19 safety measures and distance learning upon opening, will house a technology center, homework room, a large programming space, physical activity space and outdoor space.
“I’ve been with the Club for more than a decade now, and this has always been the goal,” said Sarah Rose, who oversees the Clubs’ Dayton and Silver Springs sites. “A new clubhouse for our kids is going to be so amazing to see.”
While a clubhouse for the Silver Springs community is also in the works, the ability to remain open at Silver Stage Middle School made finding a solution in Dayton, where the schools will no longer be available, a priority. But, efforts for dedicated building for Silver Springs youth are “alive and well” Crowder said.
The Club’s summer preschool will extend into the school year, offering several eight-week sessions at no cost. Each session will be open to 24 kids ages three to five with a morning session and afternoon session. The first session is set to begin with the school year on Sept. 1.
Details for each of the organization’s communities will vary slightly, but all communities will have all-day availability, home and schoolwork help, an emphasis on distance learning support and provided meals and snacks daily. Safety measures will be in place at every site, including those seen during this summer’s programming. Members and staff will be required to wear masks regardless of age and will be seated, socially distanced, in groups mirroring their school pods as closely as possible. Meals and snacks will be served at each youth’s seat to prevent congregating in a cafeteria area. Each member will undergo a daily health screening, including a temperature check and a health screening to be completed by phone with the parent upon drop-off.
“Our partnerships with Lyon and Mineral County, Lyon and Mineral County School District, each school, our communities and our families are what will make this next year a success for our members, and we can’t wait to serve our members and their families at the highest possible level,” Crowder said.
Registration for the school year program is online this year. Member applications and more information can be found at bgcmasonvalley.org. Membership fees of $10 per year will be waived for those members who sign up between now and August 31. Parents and guardians will be required to secure their member’s spot at the Club weekly as space will be limited to maintain social distance and gather requirements.
| YERINGTON 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon through Fri $10 annual membership fee $40/off-track week Financial assistance available, no child will be turned away! Closed August 27-31 Open beginning Sept. 1 Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided | DAYTON 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon through Fr $10 annual membership fee $40/off-track week Financial assistance available, no child will be turned away! Closed beginning August 17 Open TBD Meals to be provided |
| SILVER SPRINGS 6 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Mon through Fri Fees waived for members participating in 21st Century Programming Closed August 27-31 Open beginning Sept. 1 Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided | HAWTHORNE 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon through Thur 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri Fees waived for members participating in 21st Century Programming Closed August 27 & 28 Open beginning August 31 Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided |
MEDIA CONTACT
Nick Beaton
nbeaton@bgcmasonvalley.org
775-684-9438
@Beatonick