Island School Outreach; Adapting and Inspiring
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020, Island School Outreach shifted programming as originally designed to respond to the needs of the community, particularly the students we serve.
As schools went remote, we committed to providing remote tutoring and learning support for our program participants to encourage students to stay engaged with their academics. Additionally, we supplied families with technology (tablets) and wireless access in homes and shared locations to support online learning. When unemployment rates and food insecurity increased in the spring, the outreach team supported the purchase and distribution of food for 43 households in our local community, reaching 195 individuals at risk of hunger due to the COVID-19 crisis. We continued this effort through the spring and summer until we were able to transition our efforts to support the National Food Distribution Task Force by assisting families to register for government food vouchers.
Once restrictive orders were lifted, we provided Learning Space for Deep Creek Primary School students, launching small-group, in-person programming following strict COVID-19 protocols. Children had access to our campus, a stable Wi-Fi connection to participate in their online learning, in-person support from teachers to remain engaged in academics, and nutritional lunch and snacks each day. During scheduled class breaks, children made the most of our campus by exploring outdoors and connecting with nature. Some of our favourite activities included beach adventures, visiting our farm and touring our wet-lab to learn about our current research at The Island School’s Cape Eleuthera Institute.
Outreach students spent enrichment time on our campus and had reliable internet access to complete virtual learning.
Since students returned to in-person education at Deep Creek Primary School on 15th February 2021, we have welcomed students back to our campus to participate in Enrichment Programming on alternating days for different grade levels. This programming supports student academics, and creates opportunities for place-based learning. We provide students with healthy snacks and lunches throughout their day with us.
Once permitted, DCMS students attended in-person school and also participated in their experiential School Without Walls program on the Cape, studying the surrounding environment and completing SCUBA certifications.
Similarly, once permissible by the Ministry of Education, in the fall of 2020, Deep Creek Middle School opened offering both virtual and hybrid programming. Student attendance and engagement was consistently high. As of January 2021, all 40 DCMS students are attending in-person school, and students continue to access virtual classroom instruction as needed due to travel or illness.
All of our schools and programs remain flexible and adaptable as the situation changes. Our organization is fortunate to have ample outdoor space and open air classrooms that allow for in-person programming, though we are prepared to pivot to virtual or hybrid programs when necessary.
Island School Outreach
-
Provided 60 tablets with 7 months internet data for students in South Eleuthera.
-
Provided remote tutoring and technical support for Deep Creek Primary School students and Young Men’s Leadership Program.
-
Distributed at-home educational resources to students including books, worksheets, pens, pencils, math kits, and art supplies.
-
Distribution food to 43 households in Deep Creek reaching 195 individuals at risk of hunger due to the COVID-19 crisis.
-
Hosted Learning Space for Deep Creek Primary School students at The Island School. Ensured students had access to a stable Internet connection to participate in their virtual classes, assistance from our teachers, access to healthy food and opportunities to participate in outdoor experiential education.
-
As Ministry of Education schools transitioned back to in-person instruction in March 2021, we are collaborating with Deep Creek Primary School to offer full-day Enrichment Programming, alternating grade levels on different days for grades 1, 2 and 4.
During School Without Walls, Deep Creek Middle School student worked with the Island School farm team to learn about local agriculture and farming.
Deep Creek Middle School
-
Upgraded facilities creating two outdoor classroom spaces.
-
Modified indoor classrooms to increase ventilation and air filtration.
-
Added outdoor hand washing stations and sanitizing sites.
-
Under the supervision of a masters level clinician, two graduate-level interns provided mental health support and services, as well as psychosocial learning, for students at DCMS.
-
An instructional coach provides ongoing support to teachers to increase best practices and support student engagement and achievement.
-
Provided laptops and computer bags for all DCMS students, ensuring equitable opportunities to become fluent in use of 21st century learning tools and consistent access to teachers and peers.
-
Provided remote tutoring and technical support for DCMS students
-
Provided internet for students without reliable access at home.
-
Delivered books, school supplies and related resources to DCMS students to facilitate virtual learning.
-
Held three week-long experiential learning programs (School Without Walls) with Cape Eleuthera Island School staff that culminated in student-designed virtual Presentations of Learning.
-
Expanded experiential education focused on organic farming, waste management and recycling education through Agriculture Club.
-
Integrated sailing instruction into the PE curriculum at DCMS, allowing students to learn introductory boat-handling skills and build confidence on the water.
-
Students continue to lead meaningful initiatives at school through Eco-Club, Wellness Club and Early Act.