Go Ask Mom

Raleigh, Marbles, Museum of Life and Science roll out school-year programs

The programs combine remote learning support and other activities, so parents can work.

Posted Updated
Museum of Life and Science reopens to members
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
, Go Ask Mom editor
As working parents contemplate the start of a school year that will begin virtually for most students across the region, they're also trying to figure out how they'll balance their children's needs with their own job responsibilities. According to a new WalletHub survey, 32% of parents can't work remotely.

Some local museums, businesses and municipalities are jumping in to help, offering child care and virtual learning support this fall. Here's a list of programs that I know about. Please feel free to share more on the Go Ask Mom Facebook post below, and I'll add them to the list.

Raleigh Recreation and Education Centers

Raleigh Parks is offering the Recreation and Education Center program for elementary and middle school students who attend year-round or modified school calendars and home schools or are involved in virtual learning. According to the city, "REC activities will include arts and crafts, active and quiet games, outdoor activities, physical activity, movies, cards and board games, and other activities. Time during the day will be designated for each participant to participate in remote learning, digital time and/or a quiet activity. This program strives to provide a fun environment modified for the safety of staff and participants."

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Groups of no more than 15 students will be be assigned together. The cost is $120 per week for city residents and $135 for non-city residents. Participants who qualify for free or reduced lunch pay $40 per week for city residents and $55 per week for non-city residents.

The centers will operate from Aug. 17 to Dec. 18 and possibly into spring 2021 as needed. More information, including registration details, is on the city's website.

Marbles Kids Museum's School Support Program

Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh will launch Marbles Learn & Play on Aug. 24 to provide an academic space for school-aged kids to participate in live remote instruction and play inside and outside the museum.

Program options include the Half-Day School Age Learn & Play from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, weekdays, for kids ages 5 to 10. A longer-day School Age Learn & Play will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each program is limited to no more than 15 campers, who will be supervised by two counselors.

Marbles also is launching a half-day preschool program from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., weekdays, for kids ages 3 and 4. The maximum group size is 10 campers to two counselors.

Registration is open now for each week through Oct. 30. The cost is $125 for the half-day program and $150 for the longer-day program. Marbles members get a discount. More information is on Marbles' website.

Museum of Life and Science's Clubhouse

The Museum of Life and Science will open its Museum Clubhouse to offer families in-person support with schoolwork, outdoor explorations and grade-appropriate science activities during the school year.

The Museum Clubhouse is for kids in kindergarten to eighth grade. Kids can join for two, three or five days a week in sessions that run four or six weeks.

"These longer sessions will lower risk for COVID-19 transmission, allow students a more consistent schedule throughout the semester, and give them a chance to get to know their teachers and fellow classmates better," according to the museum's website.

Classes will be limited to 10 students or fewer, and they will be grouped with the same students and educator throughout their entire session. The fee ranges between $524 to $1300 for the program, depending on the session you choose. Museum members can take advantage of a discount. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Sessions begin Sept. 8 and run through Dec. 18.

More information is on the museum's website.

Other local businesses also plan to offer in-person child care and virtual learning support. Here are a few. I'll add more to this list as I hear of others.

The Families and Schools Together Initiative, a collaboration between Wake County Public School System, WakeEd Partnership and child care providers, also is pulling together a list of resources for students and families.

Multiple Locations

Hope Community Church (The church is planning to set up virtual learning centers. Check the website for the latest information.)

Raleigh

The Children's Place (for kindergartners only)

Apex

Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs

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