This isn’t the “Back to School†we envisioned. The young people we serve at the San Francisco 49ers Academy need us more than ever. The COVID pandemic has exposed the true inequalities in education. Students with access to more resources — higher-income students —have options that are not available to our low-income students. Learning gaps are going to get bigger.
With most schools across California closed for the foreseeable future, families with financial resources are rushing to hire tutors and teachers to augment distance learning with children individually or in small groups in their spacious backyards or homes, creating an overnight coronavirus cottage industry: “learning pods.â€
The 49ers Academy has always done whatever it takes to bridge the inequities our students face. In this spirit, we are thrilled to announce that the 49ers Academy has partnered with the Ravenswood City School District to bring in-person, small group learning pods to serve students in East Palo Alto.
These community “Learning Hubs†will be limited to 8 students each and will operate Monday through Friday to provide safe and supportive workspaces to support students with distance learning. Students will work through their virtual school day on our school site and breakfast and lunch will be provided. We understand and appreciate the many concerns surrounding the importance of providing a positive, safe school experience for everyone during COVID-19. The Academy is focused on providing the safest possible setting for students to explore and grow. The 49ers Academy’s Learning Hubs will be located at the Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School in East Palo Alto.
The pandemic has hit our community hard, but our families are strong and resilient. Our Community Learning Hubs are crucial to helping students stay on the path to success. To learn more about our Community Learning Hubs, click here.
