Helping Students Succeed at the Distance Learning Center

In a “normal” year, the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos (BGCSM) serves over 4,000 youth members ages 6-18 in after school programs and during school breaks. But, as we all know, 2020 is anything from normal. Today, BGCSM is serving as a Distance Learning Center to best needs of the community and provide youth and families with support to navigate the complexities of remote instruction.

“I can’t emphasize enough the important role our Club is playing in our region,” says Cathy Baur, newly appointed President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos. “For our families having our doors open means they can go to work with the reassurance that their children will have the support they need to succeed in online learning and be well cared for by our staff.”

Cathy assumed her new role September 1 after just a 45-day retirement from California State University San Marcos where she was Vice President for University Advancement and had served the campus for 12 years.

“I was compelled to join the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos because I felt it was and could play such an important role in helping bridge the growing educational equity divide,” says Cathy. “It became very apparent as COVID-19 progressed and schools began adopting online models that families with means would be augmenting virtual learning by hiring personal tutors, nannies or other types of support – faster internet, better computer systems, etc. For parents who might be struggling financially, those options don’t exist. It started to feel like the speed of your internet might ultimately determine the quality of your child’s education.”

Following only a brief shutdown this spring, the Club quickly adapted to continue its work in the community while in-person youth programs ceased. BGCSM launched the #VirtualClubhouse to offer daily video activities and virtual mentoring to keep youth engaged. During that time, the Club was also able to help the meet basic needs of local families by serving over 30,000 free meals in need through the Free Supper & Weekend Meals Program, made possible by support from The San Diego Foundation, Leichtag Foundation, Rest Haven Children's Health Fund, Rotary Club of San Marcos, and other generous businesses and organizations in the community.

Thanks to the outpouring of support from generous individuals, businesses, and organizations, BGCSM was able to leverage resources in order to safely reopen its main branch as a Distance Learning Center, supporting working families as San Marcos Unified School District began the new school year with remote instruction. Each day, BGCSM staff assist the students with troubleshooting technology issues and offering extra support with assignments while in constant communication with district principals, faculty, social workers, and teachers to best meet the needs and expectations of each school in the district.

“BGCSM staff, and even the Branch Director, are in direct communication with our teachers and admin to help best support our students. They walk over to pick up materials, troubleshoot technical issues, and discuss ways to better assist students who are struggling. Without them, many students would be home alone (likely not online) or parents would have to stay home causing additional financial hardship. The Boys & Girls Club have been invaluable partners in supporting our school and students, especially during Distance Learning,” said Julie Blide, Assistant Principal at San Marcos Elementary.

Prior to reopening, BGCSM implemented an extensive COVID-19 safety plan. The Club enhanced daily cleaning procedures, including adding additional staff focused on safety and cleanliness support. These individuals operate on an hourly schedule with the goal of cleaning commonly touched areas. In addition to an enhanced cleaning routine, BGCSM integrated daily health screenings, temperature checks, and reduced building capacity to ensure a 11:1 youth to staff ratio, which is half the typical program ratio. BGCSM further limits the rotation of students between program spaces to reduce cross contamination. Each of these safety measures is done with staff, students and families safety and health in mind. To date, the Club has avoided any community outbreak of COVID-19.

After the virtual school day ends, students participate in signature BGCSM after school enrichment programs. These programs focus on strengthening skills in STEM, arts & cooking as well as promoting physical and social-emotional wellness to complement lessons learned during the school day.

BGCSM has also integrated social and emotional wellness support into its weekly Club programming under the full-time Director of Member Impact, who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Wellness programming provides students with one-on-one or small group support to process feelings and emotions, encourage healthy coping and connection, and combat isolationism. Students are encouraged to build their capacity for self-esteem, trust and healthy relationship building.

In opening the Distance Learning Center, priority was given to families of first responders and essential workers and a lottery system was utilized to fill the remaining slots. Due to social distancing restrictions, the Club was only able to accept 88 students.

Hundreds are on a wait list to take part in BGCSM Distance Learning Center. Working to address the demand, BGCSM is partnering with North City and California State University San Marcos on a creative solution–expand the Distance Learning Center program to The QUAD (CSUSM student housing), which sits largely unoccupied due to COVID-19. Plans are for BGCSM to utilize classroom space to serve another 30 students. BGCSM is currently working to secure the necessary funding to help serve more families on their waiting list.

COVID-19 has also played havoc with BGCSM funding. Its largest fundraiser was cancelled and revenue from summer day camp programs lost. As an organization, the cost of keeping BGCSM’s doors open has tripled due to enhanced safety measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For all of us, 2020 is a year unlike any other. The Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos is adapting, pivoting and working hard to ensure it still fulfills on its mission to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED THE COVID-19 RECOVERY FUND TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO SUSTAIN OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES