Thursday 28th March 2024

Boys and Girls Club serves as model for schools during pandemic

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Mikey Villarreal, 12, stands as Ashley Davis, office manager at the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow and Barren County, takes his temperature on Monday, July 27, 2020. All guests, club members and staff must have their temperature taken and hands washed before entering the club.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)

GLASGOW, Ky. – School systems across Kentucky are gearing toward reopening their buildings next month, and the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow and Barren County is setting the tone for many schools.

The club closed in March after tight regulations were put into place by state officials regarding the fight against COVID-19. The club opened for members June 15 and has went virus free since.

The club’s daily operations have undergone extensive revisions since reopening.

Upon entering the facility, staff and students must get their temperature checked and wash their hands. No one with a temporal temperature above 99 degrees may enter the facility.

A short questionnaire is also given to those wishing to enter the facility. Ashley Davis, office manager, said those questions range from exposure to recent COVID-19 symptoms.

“If all those answers are no, I check the temperatures,” Davis said. “If the temperatures are below the 99.0, then we come up and wash hands”

Masks are donned across the facility, and students must wear them when social distancing is not possible. In addition to the masks, handwashing stations are positioned in most areas.

The club is reminded every 45 minutes to wash their hands. Frequent temperature checks are also a part of the traditional day.

CJ Calhoun, 12, said he understands the club’s efforts to prevent the virus’ spread. Certain activities across the building have been limited but not eliminated, considering the students’ enjoyment in those activities.

“I’m OK with that mask. I’m OK with it all, honestly,” Calhoun said. “It’s just harder.”

Kenisha Franklin, teen coordinator, said the teens have adapted to the processes.

“From the first day they came, they knew the drill – how it works,” Franklin said. “It’s not nothing compared to little ones – having to stay on them about masks and stuff. But they do pretty good.”

Changes in the gymnasium require students to don masks and gloves. The gym is the only location students must wear gloves due to the shared equipment.

Students also eat in classrooms, which is similar to the plans of many public schools for the looming school year. The cafeteria was transformed to an additional area to distance students.

“Basically, the cafeteria is like another movie area,” said 13-year-old Emilee Monroe. “We also take the projector to the gym and put it on the cloth.”

Most activities inside the club have moved outdoors, too. When outside, students stay in separate groups and rotate through activities.

Mallie Boston, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow and Barren County, said the club serves as a model for traditional schools. While the transformation has required attention to detail, the hardships outweigh the risks of keeping students away from the club.

Boston said the club serves as a location for students to reach their potential, and schools are no different.

“The biggest problem that I’ve seen with everything having to be shut down is that I’ve got a lot of kids that struggle to read – struggle with their math – and not having anyone to help and parents that are doing their best to get to work and provide for their family, you are missing a lot of opportunities to get that child on track,” Boston said.

And while she does not become emotional often, Boston said one experience indicated to her that the club needed to be open. A student rode their bicycle to her home and told revealed they hadn’t eaten in three days.

“Our only goal is to keep them safe and on a positive mental state,” Boston said.

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