In many ways 2021 was challenging for education locally, nationally and internationally. Certainly, when the pandemic shuttered many schools, Schools for Children was able to pivot to new learning models. While our mettle was tested, our ability to effectively combine academic learning with social emotional growth for students of all ages brought new opportunities our way.
Thanks to our peers’ high regard for Schools for Children and our Winn Brook Extended Learning Program (WBExL), we were approached last year by the Brookline Early Education Program (BEEP) to run extended day programs at two of their sites.
BEEP’s well-respected, integrated preschools offer a variety of morning classes and serve children with a range of developmental levels and from diverse cultural backgrounds. BEEP was looking for a partner to provide afternoon programming for the students to better serve the families in their community.
We believed that Schools for Children would be a good fit. Winn Brook’s before and after school programs have provided learning and social-emotional development for students in kindergarten to Grade 4 for several years. Our schools have extensive experience offering early childhood education or special education programming.
After extensive discussions with the Brookline programs and the Brookline Public Schools, we launched this new partnership in the fall. The expanded initiative is called Schools for Children Extended Learning Programs.
“We drew on the expertise of our talented, experienced staff to launch the Lynch Extended Learning (LExL) and Putterham Extended Learning (PExL) Programs,” explains Paul Stein, Schools for Children executive director.
These programs will all be guided by the belief that children grow through developmentally appropriate, hands-on and play-based learning experiences. Currently, the three Extended Learning Programs operate in-person with health and safety protocols in place. They provide hands-on learning activities that help children learn while developing social skills that will prove invaluable as they continue their educational journey.