Is that a school bell ringing at Children’s Inn? It’s just another hat staff is wearing right now…

It is the nature of our work. Some things about our jobs are routine and predictable. Yet the needs of our children and families, on any given day, can be anything but routine and predictable!

Because of the coronavirus and recommendations to contain its spread, kids in Sioux Falls and surrounding towns are now engaged in online learning from home. This is navigating new waters for most parents as they try to keep their children on track with their studies.

So what about the school-age kids staying at Children’s Inn?

The staff at Children’s Inn are now working with school-age kids in shelter who need to perform the required online learning while they are out of school. This involves communication with schools and teachers, providing guidance on the devices provided by the schools, and even helping work through math problems!

Darlene Hillmer and Jenica Faal, Assistant Program Supervisors at Children’s Inn, give a snapshot of how the staff are working together to make school “happen” for the kids…

• The week before school was officially canceled, we put together some fun projects for the kids to work on. These included a treasure hunt, cooking projects, craft projects, science experiments, and kid-friendly research projects.

• Our conference room has become the Brave Beginnings School. The room is set up with computers (thanks CHS IT department!), Chrome books, paper, pens, art supplies, and reading materials.

• We created a daily schedule that allows a balance between school work, mental breaks, and quiet time. We even have recess!

• Most of the kids have their own individual work to do as directed by their school. We were given devices by the schools for the kids to be able to access the internet and school websites. For those who don’t have assignments, staff have gotten creative by providing other educational opportunities, like book reports, math worksheets, and puzzles.

• Staff keep the kids on track with their assignments and follow suggested guidelines for the amount of time that kids should work on their studies. Thankfully, there hasn’t been any resistance from the kids about completing their work. In fact, they seem to really be enjoying it!

• We try to incorporate art projects, music, and PE whenever possible. Right now, our staff is doing a fitness challenge with all of our kids. From our two-year-old, up to our 15-year-old, kids are doing planks, squats, and more!

“This has been an added responsibility for our staff. But as always, our staff is up for the challenge and are doing a great job!”
–Amy Carter, Program Director