Upbring Education Association Rallies to Provide Childcare Options During COVID-19 Pandemic
4/22/20 As schools across the nation close in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Upbring’s Education Association opened their doors even wider effective Monday, April 13, to provide childcare options for working parents who are essential employees like healthcare workers, first responders and other critical personnel, and counter the severe shortage of options available to them.
The Upbring School of Discovery and Leadership which typically only serves preschool-aged children is temporarily accepting grade school children, ages 5 through 10, to give them a safe, structured environment where they can complete the schoolwork assigned from their respective schools during the day.
To address the full range of their students? needs, staff members at the Houston campus continue to distribute weekly “Busy Bags,” available for pick-up on Saturdays, that are filled with learning activities, STEAM project supplies, Spanish and sign language flashcards and personalized notes from teachers to assist parents and guide them through the at-home learning process.
Upbring’s servant-hearted administrators and teachers are making every effort to ensure the safety and development of the children served during this uncertain season. Educators at both the Austin and Houston schools created alternative and engaging forms of at-home learning opportunities available through private Facebook pages, YouTube tutorials and Zoom circle time.
“All staff have responded very quickly and professionally to very significant changes to the childcare guidelines,” Brenda Burdick, Director of Christian School Expansion and Operations of Upbring, said.
Continuing to utilize electronic avenues to best serve the children and families, the Upbring Education Association is also offering a weekly chapel time, shared through YouTube, as well as the option to be added to a prayer list where families can disclose their needs and request additional tools and resources.
Upbring Education Association is a community of early-childhood, faith-based schools in Central Austin and Downtown Houston. The schools have implemented stringent protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus and safeguard children and their families while the campuses remain open. Protocols include checking each child’s temperature at drop-off before being allowed inside, limiting the number of children and employees in a room to maintain social distancing and increased cleaning and sanitizing precautions.
By providing a sense of normalcy and offering financial assistance to alleviate any burdens on the families at this time, Upbring is determined to fully demonstrate our steadfast commitment to breaking the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families and communities.
Upbring continues to monitor reports from the Center for Disease Control and communicate with State Regulation websites to ensure a safe environment for our students, staff, families and community. For the latest information on our response to COVID-19, please continue to check our website for updated information.