Commerce_21_06 | Page 17

■ Education

■ Education

Continued From Page 14 question in short order . At the beginning of the pandemic , Elizabeth had nearly 200 households that didn ’ t have access to broadband internet . With more than 32,000 students already using Student WiFi from Altice , they worked together with the Elizabeth school board who funded a free WiFi emergency broadband initiative for households in need . The program was extended to include Newark and Paterson . To date , Altice has donated more than $ 200 thousand worth of equipment to education initiatives , and another $ 1.5 million worth of ad grants to assist small businesses in the area . The Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic is a grateful beneficiary of some of Altice ’ s generosity .
Partnering with local school districts , the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Jersey looks after more than 70,000 youth ages 5-18 , 1,100 of those belong to the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic . During the state mandated shutdown , the Paterson and Passaic clubs became food relief centers , distributing more than a half million lbs . of food before reopening in a limited capacity for summer camp .
With hours between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM , the Club ’ s 85 staff members now serve as educational mentors to 200 in person 5-13 year old students . These children are primarily from working families . Wendy McGuire , the Club ’ s Chief Executive Officer is fond of saying : “ Parents shouldn ’ t have to choose between eating and learning ”. The Club also monitors 180 students virtually ; live capacity is limited since the eight school-based satellite facilities are currently unavailable .
“ Commitment to community is why the Boys & Girls Clubs of Paterson and Passaic exists . We are here for working parents providing educational enrichment through Art , Dance , Music , STEM , and athletics ” continues Ms . McGuire . In order to counteract the fact that September ’ s first grade students will not have experienced kindergarten , the Club created different ways for these kids to socially interact e . g . 1 / 1 tablets , hula hoops , etc . In addition to her concern about her youngest charges , Wendy also points to a few of the Club ’ s main post pandemic initiatives :
1 . Essential Academics . Without inperson learning , B & G staff had to become education facilitators , their post pandemic focus is to develop their staff so that they can help more deeply , for example , tutoring programs .
Virtual programming enables the Club to reach more students , so when the facilities are at capacity , they will continue to use virtual learning technology .
2 . Essential Food Service . The Club plans to increase nutrition and wellness programs and awareness to families with kids . Boys & Girls Clubs of Paterson and Passaic plans to be more involved in total family nutrition complementing their current program of up to two meals per day .
3 . Essential Teen Programming . The Club will offer programs for teens to keep them on the right track , and teach them work and life skills . Ms . McGuire feels that teens are an underserved segment of the Club membership .
As the largest childcare provider in Paterson and Passaic , the Boys & Girls Club ’ s financing comes mostly from program fees ( 60 %) with the remaining 40 % from fundraising efforts like special events , and private and corporate donors . They try to keep scholarship funding available so no child is ever turned away .
The commitment of the faculty and administrators coupled with the generosity of corporate philanthropy has made the logistics of remote learning largely successful . While there is no specific statewide plan for September 2021 , the priority is to resume in-person learning across the state . It will be left to the individual districts to develop reopening plans that best fit local needs . The Department of Education published and will continue to update anticipated minimum standards aimed at ensuring that our educational health doesn ’ t come at the expense of our public health . Social distancing in classrooms , public areas , and transportation coupled with access to both public and private funds are major considerations for the reopening plans being developed .
Communicate
with Class when You Quit
We have all been there at one time or another . We find ourselves in a work situation or career that is not a great fit , doesn ’ t fulfill our professional aspirations or , simply put , is just not making us happy . But when it comes time to quit , it is important you do it with dignity . Consider the following tips and tools .
No matter how much you hate your job , there is no value in saying so . How are you helping yourself by telling your boss that he ’ s a jerk or telling a coworker that you dislike him or her ? Instead , take the high road and thank them for the opportunity .
Never publicly trash or bad mouth your former employer . Sure , you can tell your close friends and family in private everything you really feel . Get your frustration out there , but remember , when you publicly trash the place and the people you are leaving behind , that carnage has a tendency to follow you .
Train your replacement . No matter how happy you are to leave and want to get out the door as quickly as possible , make sure you communicate how willing you are to take the necessary time ( preferably two weeks or longer if possible ) to train your replacement .
Communicate face to face that you are leaving . I have heard of employees quitting via e-mail , text , or one time , an employee just mysteriously left a letter on her employer ’ s desk , never to be seen or heard from again . Just like you don ’ t accept a job through electronic communication , you shouldn ’ t leave a job that way .
Steve Adubato , PhD , is the author of five books including his latest , " Lessons in Leadership ". He is an Emmy ® Award-winning anchor with programs airing on Thirteen / WNET ( PBS ) and NJ PBS who has appeared on CNN , FOX5 NY and NBC ' s Today Show . Steve Adubato ' s " Lessons in Leadership " video podcast with co-host Mary Gamba airs Sundays at 10:00 a . m . on News 12 +. For more information visit www . Stand-Deliver . com