'Pandemic Pods' gaining traction with parents, educators as school year starts

With the school year fast approaching, some parents who are anxious about how to ensure children utilizing virtual learning don't fall behind are turning to "pandemic pods."

UPDATED.SCHOOL MAY BE VIRTUALFOR SOME KIDS AROUNDTHE METRO --BUT PARENTS ARETEAMING UP TO GIVETHEIR KIDS THE FEELINGOF A GROUP SETTING.WE TOLD YOUPREVIOUSLY ABOUT THEIDEA OF "PANDEMIC PODS".SO -- IS THIS SOMETHINGTHAT COULD WORK FORYOUR CHILD -- AND WHATARE THE RISKS TO YOURFAMILY?41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER NICK STARLINGTALKED TO PARENTSABOUT HOW THEY PLAN TOMAKE THIS WORK.WITH THE SCHOOL YEARRIGHT AROUND THECORNER-MANY PARENTSARE ANXIOUS ABOUT HOWTO TEACH THEIR KIDS ANDWHAT VIRTUAL LEARNINGWILL BE LIKE-SO SOME AREDOING WHAT'S CALLEDPANDEMIC PODS.Jemma Radick-parent and hostingpodAll of us are asking thequestion of like what the heckare we going to do.IT'S THE QUESTION SOMANY PARENTS LIKEJEMMA RADICK ASK ASTIME TICKS DOWN TO THEFIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.Jemma Radick-parent and hostingpodOur two kids kind of goingback to school starting inSeptember has been a realstress for us just wonderinghow can we keep two full timejobs doing a great job for ourcompanies but also have ourown expectations for our kidseducation.THE SHAWNEE-MISSIONPARENT FOUND OUTABOUT WHAT'S CALLED APANDEMIC POD-ESSENTIALLY HIRING APRIVATE TEACHER ANDTEAMING UP A FEW OTHERKIDS TO HELP GUIDE THEMTHROUGH VIRTUALLEARNING.

RADICK JUSTHIRED A TEACHINGASSISTANT AND WILL HOSTAT HER HOUSE.Jemma Radick-parent and hostingpoWe've decided to just make itavailable to just three familiesso a maximum of six kids andour big requirement is that thefamilies who we pair with forthis all adopt the same level ofCOVID precautions that we doso we can keep a safe bubble.Kelly Walden, starting the localPandemic Pod Facebook PageI realized that sort of everyoneis sort of flailing everyone hasquestions and no one hasanswers.KELLY WALDEN CREATEDTHE LOCAL CHAPTER OFPANDEMIC PODS WHERETHERE'S A GROWINGNUMBER OF PARENTS ANDEDUCATORS CONNECTINGTHROUGH THIS PAGE.Kelly Walden, starting the localPandemic Pod Facebook PageHopefully the informationexchange that would beavailable by connectingpeople who know or inschooled in these things willbe very helpful.WALDEN IS A TEACHERHERSELF WITH VIRTUALLEARNING EXPERIENCEAND ADVISES KEEPING THEPODS SMALLER TOMITIGATE THE RISK OFCONTRACTING COVID-19BUT A PANDEMIC POD ISN'TCHEAP.Kelly Walden, starting the localPandemic Pod Facebook PageNo doubt it is a luxury to hireafull time private teacher, thatis nothing by any means.Kelly Walden, starting the localPandemic Pod Facebook PageI wish there were a way Icould make it more equitablefor the families around usincluding some our goofriends that simply don't havethe resources to participate ia solution like this one.REPORTING IN KANSASCITYNICK STARLING41 ACTION