CORAL returns to the classroom as part of the ‘learning recovery’
As local schools are back to in-person classes this year, our CORAL teams are there to support the “learning recovery” that students are facing now due to the pandemic. Catholic Charities’ afterschool expanded learning program is essential to ensure that long-term ramifications for these students—especially those from high-poverty neighborhoods— are minimized. Their future successes depend on a solid educational foundation.
Education support is a key component of Catholic Charities’ mission to alleviate, reduce, and prevent poverty in Santa Clara County. Launched in 2003, CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning) features a literacybased curriculum plus homework support, STEAM learning, and enrichment activities such as theatre and music, sports, field trips, and family engagement. Additionally, the program provides mentorship and referral to critical community services to support students and families on their journeys to a brighter future.
In the fallout from last year’s shift to online virtual learning, many young students have been, and continue to be, negatively impacted by school shutdowns. This is especially true for students from families who were already struggling pre-pandemic. According to a June 2021 Report from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights: “…we know from early studies that for many students, the educational gaps that existed before the pandemic—in access, opportunities, achievement, and outcomes—are widening.”
Ensuring students’ emotional wellness during the stress of the ongoing pandemic is also paramount. Weekly check-ins and one-on-one time for students with their CORAL After School Instructors (CASIs) continue this school year to address students’ individual needs. CORAL leaders are integrating strategies to overcome social-emotional learning challenges, particularly as national data shows the difficulty of connecting and reading expressions when wearing masks/face coverings.
Amidst this new way of learning, CORAL programs are positioned for success as Catholic Charities continues to be a trusted resource in the communities it serves. For many CORAL families, there is a long-term relationship with their extended-learning peers and the staff, providing students with a sense of safety and stability through the bonds of community. Many students enroll in CORAL in their early school years and often remain in the program through middle school.
According to Jenny Sanchez, CORAL Site Manager at Windmill Springs Elementary who has worked in the program for more than 14 years and three of her children attend CORAL: “Even with all of the challenges, our students are enthusiastic to be back and we are safely continuing with our programs that are so critical for our families.” CORAL serves 2,500 students at 23 sites in the Franklin-McKinley and San Jose Unified School Districts, plus several charter schools and the Spartan-Keyes Neighborhood Center.
For information on investing in the CORAL program, please contact Jimmy Shoven, 408.325.5259 or jshoven@catholiccharitiesscc.org