First State Community Action Agency recognizes partners

First State Community Action Agency recognized organizations that supported the agency’s learning pods throughout the pandemic during a June 11 awards ceremony.

FSCAA Executive Director Bernice Edwards said school districts, community partners and Town of Georgetown officials worked together to assist students who have fallen behind.

“Every time we’ve asked you, you’ve been there,” Edwards said. “This is what partnerships are all about. This is what community is all about. If you don't have a strong community, then you won't be successful.”

FSCAA Program Director Dr. Sandi Hagans-Morris said when the pandemic hit, the agency shifted from a typical after-school program to a full-day program four days a week.

“We weren't just facing academic barriers; we addressed food insecurity,” Hagan-Morris said, noting FSCAA picked up breakfasts and lunches from H.O. Brittingham Elementary and Georgetown Middle School to ensure students had ample food. 

Child care costs typically average $6,000 a year per child, Hagans-Morris said, and FSCAA provided that service at no cost to families involved. A child’s typical school year comprises 1,060 hours, and FSCAA provided 1,544 hours of instruction the past year, including social-emotional learning, leadership development and community service outreach.

Because of the pandemic, organizations had to modify their in-person programs to adapt to remote-learning platforms taking place in schools. FSCAA’s learning pods comprise small groups of students who study together in person using the standard curriculum offered virtually by public schools at no cost to parents. 

Students in learning pods also participate in enrichment activities such as positive youth development strategies, recreation, prevention, nutrition activities and STEM. Tutoring is provided by certified teachers or teachers in training, either virtually or in person, depending on preference.

This summer, Hagans-Morris said, FSCAA will launch Freedom Schools, a free, six-week integrated reading program for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade that will bridge the learning gap over the summer and integrate science, technology, engineering and math education.

“You have to love to read in order to learn to read,” Hagans-Morris said.

The literacy program will help children build their own libraries, as students will be given a free book every Friday, culminating a weeklong discussion and activities surrounding their reading.