Night School for Kindergarteners? Some School Districts Say Yes

The pandemic has caused schools and parents to scramble to find ways to keep students safe and healthy while they learn. One way many school districts have done that is by switching to remote learning.

Learning entirely online may offer health benefits, but it’s been nothing short of a challenge for many parents- especially single, working mothers. Women left the workforce in the fall at the rate of four times more than men did, which means that more mothers are sacrificing their jobs to stay home and help their children learn.

That’s not possible for every mom. Some moms have no choice but to continue to go to work, which sometimes means their children’s education has to take a backseat.

School districts around the country saw this happening and grew increasingly concerned that their youngest students were missing valuable instruction time while their parents were at work. Some school districts came up with an interesting solution- night school.

When you think of night school, you probably think of an older adult going back to get their college degree, but for some kids as young as 5, this is the new norm. Instead of logging online during the day for classes, they’re spending a few hours each night online learning their ABC’s and 123’s.

As soon as the districts made the shift to offering night classes for their students, they saw a remarkable change in attendance. Those kids who were absent the first few weeks of school, now haven’t missed a day. They’re learning valuable lessons and engaging with their teachers and classmates in a way that has never been done before.

Working mothers are very grateful for the versatility some school districts are offering. They’re able to go to work during the day and come home at night to assist their children with their learning. It’s the best of both worlds in a world that’s been completely turned upside down during the pandemic.

While in-person learning is the goal for all, until we can all get back to normal, it’s wonderful to see school districts, teachers, parents, and students coming together to get these kids the education they deserve- and the support parents so desperately need during this challenging time.

Lindsay is a writer and single mom whose mission is to remind other women going through a divorce or breakup that they are strong, beautiful, and worthy of all the good things life has to offer. You can find more of her writing on her blog or follow her on Instagram.