How to Prepare Your Child for Blended Learning in New York
The State of education in New York — and around the world — is rapidly changing as a result of COVID-19. Currently, the State of New York is looking to reopen some schools for blended learning in the new school year.
Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester is prepared to provide private tutoring to help students adapt to the blended learning that they can likely expect in the school year to come.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that schools will only reopen in regions that are in phase 4 and maintain a daily infection rate of under 5 percent.
Due to fluctuating numbers, the government will make the official decision to (or not to) reopen schools in August. The government has also said it will react quickly and ask students to return home and engage in virtual learning if numbers in regions rise.
As we prepare students and teachers to return to school potentially, it is essential to provide students with the tools they need to adapt and find success with blended learning.
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning refers to educating through both traditional in-class and e-learning practices. Blended learning blends the flexibility of remote learning with face to face learning to provide a comprehensive education.
Blended learning will likely become students’ new standard for the considerable future and will require some accommodation and time management. This transition will be a significant learning curve for educators, students, and parents who are new to balancing online and in-class learning.
The good news is that Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester is prepared to give students the tools they need to adjust to these changes and develop time management and study habits for academic success.
Tips for Transitioning Your Child Into Blended Learning
Talk About Hygiene
When schools reopen, it will be a requirement for students to social distance on campus. Schools will reconfigure community spaces like gyms and atriums to make this feasible. It is essential to emphasize the importance of social distancing at school (and in general) and to educate your child on how to maintain hygienic safety in the classroom.
The New York State Education Department presented a framework of guidelines to the Board of Regents that schools will need to maintain to sustain operation after reopening. These guidelines include consistent hygienic practices that will be enforced and expected from staff and students, including social distancing, wearing masks, regular handwashing, and disinfecting common areas.
Consider One-On-One Tutoring
Every student learns differently, which means that students will respond to blended learning in various ways. Depending on an individual’s learning style, this style of learning may elevate a student’s learning abilities or create gaps in their knowledge.
One-on-one tutoring can provide students with the additional tools and resources they may need to accommodate this transition.
At Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester, our private tutors provide a personalized approach to education to fill any gaps in knowledge. We give students the tools they need to gain academic confidence.
We believe that every child is capable of learning and requires a personalized approach to education to set and reach their academic goals. Consider how your child can benefit from private tutoring at this time.
We can provide one-on-one, small group, and micro-classroom tutoring services across Westchester County either at your home, in your backyard, or a safe public space of your choice. Note that our micro-classroom students contain a maximum of 5-7 students.
Streamline Communication with Educators
Blended learning will be a new experience for students, educators, and parents alike, which is why it’s essential to keep all communication lines open. Discuss with your child and their educators (both teachers and tutors) to monitor their progress and identify the tools they may need for further success.
Prep Academy Tutors prioritizes communication to ensure that everyone is always on the same page and involved in a student’s educational journey.
Check In
It’s essential to understand how significant changes in education and life can impact a student’s mental health. How is your child coping with these changes? What do they find to be the most challenging about the transition? Talk to your child to understand where they are at; encourage dialogue to address different pain points as they come.
Encourage Classmate Discussions
No one will understand quite what students are experiencing right now more than their peers. Students all learn differently, but they can also learn from one another and their shared experiences. Consider encouraging your child to talk to their classmates so that they can form feasible strategies and find success at this time of transition.
Manage Online Distractions
Technology plays an essential role in blended learning. It is crucial to help your student manage any online distractions that may occur when e-learning.
Consider how you can help your child stay on task when learning on their device, even when entertainment sources are just a click away.
You can reward your child for staying on task with free computer time, or integrate other incentives that will motivate them not to let their attention wander. You can also challenge them to focus for specific periods and allow breaks in between tasks. It all depends on how your child learns best.
Stay Informed
Stay informed not only on your child’s academic journey but also on the overall state of education in New York.
Considering that circumstances are changing quickly in the state due to the fluctuating cases of COVID-19, it’s essential to utilize the news and school newsletters to stay in the know. Staying informed will help you better plan ahead and discuss future changes with your child before they occur.
Prepare to Pivot
It will be confirmed in August whether or not schools will reopen in New York come September. Governor Cuomo has stated that if numbers and conditions change between when announcement and the first day of school, schools will not reopen.
He has also stated that schools will close again if numbers change. It is essential to be aware of the fluctuating circumstances that impact this situation and have the tools and resources to pivot quickly.
Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester will continue to offer online tutoring and other tutoring services to help students continue education as these changes occur and help minimize the gaps in knowledge they may experience.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Prep Academy Tutors is Open for Business in New York
Prep Academy Tutors is proud to announce that we have teamed up with partners Vanessa O’Friel and Sarah Loader to offer in-home and online tutoring in Westchester County and across New York.
The new franchise of Prep Academy Tutors is based in Bronxville, New York. We support children and families in Manhattan and across Westchester County, including Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Pelham, Scarsdale, White Plains, Larchmont and Rye.
Our Westchester County franchisees are passionate about education and boast ample experience with the New York curriculum. At Prep Academy Tutors, we provide students with the personalized education they need to succeed. Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester marks our first ever American franchise.
Who We Are: Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester
Prep Academy Tutors is a private in-home and online tutoring company that boasts a team of elite tutors dedicated to fostering your child’s best academic self. We provide one-on-one tutoring and both small group and micro-classroom tutoring to support students and families during these challenging times.
We tailor all our services to provide safe social-distancing and compliance with State and CDC regulations. We support our students in both remediation and enhancement and support traditional or alternative curricula.
Meet the Owners: Vanessa O’Friel & Sarah Loader
Vanessa O’Friel
Vanessa began her career in education as an assistant teacher at the
Buckley School in New York City, where she grew up. Vanessa joined the
science department at Buckley, where she taught environmental science
in the elementary school and health science to middle school students.
After teaching for many years at Buckley, Vanessa transitioned to the
Collegiate School, where she taught 9th-grade biology. Vanessa
currently works part-time in admissions at the Rye Country Day School.
She resides in Bronxville with her husband and four children. She has
children in all three school divisions and is very familiar with the
school curriculum, core curriculum, and faculty.
Sarah Loader
Sarah is a long-term Prep Academy Tutors client turned franchisee. She is excited to launch in the US. Sarah is a trained lawyer and brings a strong work ethic and solid entrepreneurial background to her business.
She has excellent interpersonal, client service and communication skills. Sarah was born in Toronto, Canada and currently lives with her husband and 3 children in Bronxville, NY.
Meet Our Westchester Tutors
Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester are excited to grow our roster to provide compassionate and personalized tutoring services in New York. We’re looking for tutors who boast the experience and skills necessary to provide the level of education that Prep Academy Tutors is known for.
Maci Gumbs
Specializes In: English, Geography, History, Math, Science & Social Studies for Grades K-6
About Maci: Maci graduated from Concordia College with a bachelor’s degree in childhood education and a master’s degree in special education While studying at Concordia, she spent time living and teaching in Chennai, India. Maci is currently completing her NY teacher certifications while teaching third grade.
Nancy Gill
Specializes In: English & Special Education for Grade K-8
About Nancy: Nancy has 12 years of experience being a special education teacher and family advocate. She has both a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. Nancy is currently working towards a master’s degree in education: learning and technology.
Maureen Darcy
Specializes In: Languages (English, French, Spanish) for Grades 1- 8
About Maureen: Maureen was born and raised in Southern California before she moved to New York to study at New York University. Here, she majored in French and Linguistics with a minor in Arabic.
Maureen boasts a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, which she earned from Columbia University’s teacher’s college. Currently, she lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she is a French and Spanish teacher at the Professional Children’s School.
What to Expect from Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester:
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Support: We support parents and families who work from home and the growing community of families moving from Manhattan to Westchester. We work to help bridge the gap between school curricula.
Curriculum-Based Educational Support: We use a growing online platform to provide curriculum-based educational support.
A Commitment to Academic Excellence:: We are committed to academic excellence and work to ensure our students stay at and above grade level, especially during remote-learning or transition periods.
Services: We provide one-on-one, small group, and micro-classroom tutoring online, at your home, in your backyard, or a safe public space.
Targeted Tutoring: We target executive functioning skills to help students during remote learning when they are outside of supervised classrooms and resource rooms.
Communication: We prioritize communication between tutors and families.
Work with Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester
To work with Prep Academy Tutors, you can call us at 914.303.7661 or email us at vanessaofriel@prepacademytutors.com or sarahloader@prepacademytutors.com. We will get back to you shortly.