By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
Like most things in the age of COVID-19, preschool and homeschool programs in Yachats are having to adapt and make major changes this fall.
While Lincoln County had hoped to enter Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan Tuesday, with looser restrictions on gatherings and businesses, commissioners voted unanimously this week to push back reopening until at least Sept. 29.
“At this point, we aren’t even able to get into The Commons to operate the pre-school,” said Alice Beck, executive director of the Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program, which operated in the basement of the city-owned but now closed building.
For the Yachats Homeschool Group, which has operated out of Yachats Community Presbyterian Church for four years, instructor Angie Deriberprey will start next week teaching every child in the program one-on-one, using her van as a mobile classroom.
Both organizations ceased in-person operations in March when Oregon Gov. Kate Brown first issued pandemic shutdown orders. The homeschool group switched to virtual learning April 1; YYFAP continued its pre-school classroom online.
Deriberprey’s students are scheduled to begin a new school year Tuesday in a very different setting than their usual church classrooms — Deriberprey will visit each of her 13 students’ homes in her 15-passenger van, abiding by state guidelines, practicing social distancing, and wearing masks.
The homeschool group is comprised of children from kindergarten through seventh grade who live from Yachats to Seal Rock. Each child receives instruction in basic subjects, as well as several “enrichment classes.”
YFFAP, which serves south Lincoln County, does not anticipate opening its popular after-school program this academic year, said Beck. The after-school program had served about 30 children a year.
“For our school-age population, if Covid permits, we would hope to offer summer camp next summer,” she said.
18 free slots for eligible pre-schoolers
There’s some good news on the pre-school front, however.
YFFAP has been selected to receive a $216,000 grant from the Oregon Early Learning Division of the Oregon Department of Education. The “Preschool Promise” grant will enable YFFAP to offer free pre-school to 18 children ages three and four. Candidates must have turned three by Sept. 1 of this year.
To be eligible, student’s family incomes must not exceed federal poverty guidelines: $34,480 for a household of two, sliding up to $88,240 for a household of eight.
Beck said YYFAP will assist in pre-school enrollment with the actual process handled by the Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, the government-funded coordinator of the grant.
“As soon as enrollment is open, we will be contacting those who’ve had children in the program before who meet eligibility requirements,” said Beck.
She said that YFFAP will be asking for a waiver to provide pre-school learning online, “and supporting parents with tools until it’s safe to go back to the classroom.”
YFFAP will be serving only 20 students this academic year compared with its usual 30 students. With the 18 “free” slots available that means there is space for only two paid openings. In the past, all parents paid a portion of the costs.
Beck urged those interesting in staying abreast of developments to check the organization’s website and Facebook pages for updates.
