Lake Norman YMCA Offering Full-Day Back To School Program

CORNEIUS, NC — In the wake of recent school reopening decisions amid the ongoing pandemic, YMCA of Greater Charlotte will offer a full-day back to school program at a dozen metro locations, including the Lake Norman YMCA branch, it announced.

"The programming is designed to complement what students will be learning in their physical and/or virtual classrooms, and offers peace of mind to parents worried about schools not being open in a traditional sense," YMCA said in a statement.

When the new school year begins Aug. 17 in North Carolina, students of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will return to their classrooms for a two-week orientation, then transition to full online remote learning, school officials announced last week.

The YMCA's back-to-school program will divide students into socially-distanced groups and includes online learning time through the children's schools, as well as offering enrichment programming, social-emotional activities and physical fitness.

The program is open for children in preschool through 12th grade. Parents who are interested in enrolling their children can find information about holding a spot here.

Here are the YMCA locations that will be operating the program:

• Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road, Charlotte
• Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte
• Lincoln County Family YMCA, 1402 Gaston Street, Lincolnton
• Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson Street, Cornelius
• McCrorey YMCA, 3801 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte
• Morrison Family YMCA, 9405 Bryant Farms Road
• Sally's YMCA, 1601 Forney Creek Parkway, Denver
• Simmons YMCA, 6824 Democracy Drive, Charlotte
• Stratford Richardson YMCA, 1946 West Blvd., Charlotte
• Keith Family YMCA, 8100 Old Mallard Creek Road
• Steele Creek YMCA, 2135-A Ayrsley Townn Blvd., Charlotte
• Brace YMCA, 3127 Weddington Road, Matthews

“We have been working diligently with the school districts we serve to build out this program and make it work for both students and parents,” said Adrianne Hobbs, executive director of youth development for YMCA of Greater Charlotte. “We are experts in the child care and educational space, and as such, we look forward serving kids across the area through our new Back to School program this fall.”

Last week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper North Carolina schools will reopen in August for in-person instruction with implemented safety protocols while also offering families the option for remote learning.

Under the plan, school districts, such as CMS, can also choose to implement all-remote learning.

Highlights of the state's school reopening plan include:

• Face coverings will be required for every teacher, staff, and student in grades kindergarten through high school
• The state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher and staff member
• Limitation on the number of people allowed in school buildings to ensure social distancing of 6 feet
• Conducting symptom screenings, including temperature checks, daily before students enter school buildings
• Establishing a process and space for those who are ill
• Regular cleaning on high-touch surfaces
• Frequent hand washing requirements throughout the school day
• Discontinuing activities that bring together large groups
• Limit nonessential visitors
• Discontinuing the use of self-service food or beverage distribution

Schools are also encouraged to designate one-way hallways and entrances, keep students and teachers in small groups, eat meals in classrooms and install physical barriers like plexiglass at reception areas.

SEE ALSO:

• CMS Schools To Begin In-Person, Go Full Remote: Details
• NC Schools To Reopen, Offer Choice For Online Learning: Cooper