THOMASVILLE — Virtual learning isn’t happening only in homes across Thomas County.

It’s taking place at the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Club, too.

The club has started VICE — Virtual Instruction and Commitment to Education — and the program enables children to take classes virtually at the Boys and Girls Club.

“And it’s amazing,” said program director Dr. Neila Connors. “It’s just amazing.”

Dr. Connors was brought on board in August to run VICE, which has a maximum of 40 kids in five classes. The 40 children are separated into five grade groups: kindergarten and first, second and third, fourth and fifth, sixth through eighth and ninth through 12th. 

The focus of the program, Dr. Connors said, is for parents who are not comfortable sending their children back to brick-and-mortar schools but do not have the availability for their children to stay home and learn virtually.

“So this is the most fabulous alternative,” she said.

The kids who are a part of VICE arrive between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. Each student gets breakfast and lunch as part of the program. Each student has a Chromebook and also must have headsets or ear buds.

Connors marveled at the youngest of the program’s students, who have book bags nearly as big as themselves but get their Chromebooks out and log on each day to start their work.

“It’s just so impressive,” she said. 

The students also are in a safe environment, Connors pointed out. but there is adult supervision at all times. There is a paraprofessional for each of the classes. 

“We want to make sure there are relationships built so the kids feel comfortable with us, that they can come talk to us and ask us questions,” Connors said. “And some days kids have meltdowns, and they can share their meltdowns with us.”

The VICE Squad, as it’s known at the Boys and Girls Club, facilitates, monitors and motivates, Connors said. They do not create the curriculum for the students, nor do they provide the instruction.

“They are there to make sure the kids are logged on, that they are in their classroom with their teacher, that they are doing their assignments,” she said. “But by no means is our role to increase test scores.” 

Safety is paramount to the Boys and Girls Club, Connors said. When the students are dropped off in the morning, the parents must wait in the vehicles. The parents cannot leave until their child’s temperature is taken and a thumbs-up is given.

Even in the building, safety and cleaning are stressed. As kids go to lunch — where their space between each student and lunch times are staggered — there are markers on the floor showing them how far apart to stand.

“The hardest part is social distancing,” Connors said. “But they have markers all along how they have to walk. And they are so good about their masks. They know every time they go to the restroom, they wash their hands and use sanitizer.”

Connors also said she’s remarked to the lunchroom staff “this is the cleanest place in Thomasville because everyone is constantly washing down the chairs, washing down the tables, washing down the computers.” 

The MNWBGC had a summer program for students, in addition to its after school programs, but an all-day endeavor during the school day was going to be a first for the club.

“We put our Boys and Girls Club knowledge and transferred it to the VICE Program,” said Saundra Austin, the Teen Center director. “But it’s been going good.”

Said Connors: “Mr. (Marvin) Davis and Mrs. Austin, along with Mr. (Lee) Wagner, are incredible resources. It was so easy because they were so helpful in outlining what needed to be done.”

Austin acknowledged there were hesitations about having a number of children back in the facility for an extended period of time.

“But once we laid out the plans and you could visualize the number of kids with the size of then building, we could sustain the program and sustain it safely,” she said. 

There is room in the Teen Center for up to 300 kids, and the Youth Center can hold up to 300. However, the MNWBGC decided to limit the number of children in the VICE Program to 40.

“Safety’s first,” Austin said. 

For the children in the VICE Program, while they are not in school close to the friends they’ve made over the years, there are new bonds to form.

“They really missed school,” said April Walker, VICE Squad leader. “They missed their peers. But as the days went by, they started meeting new friends here. They embraced the fact they had a support system here to help with their learning.”

Walker added she loves how the VICE program tries to keep every child on task and focused on their assignments.

“We are doing as much as we can to keep kids on track,” Connors said.

There is free time built into the day, too, Connors said. 

“Because we don’t want them sitting in front of a computer all day long,” she said. “They need to get on the gym floor and run around.”

There also are arrangements made if the older kids have to go to their traditional schools for such activities as a dance class.  

The students in the program also are enthusiastic about the set up.

“I like it a lot,” said Sophie. “I’d rather do this than be in school because I don’t want to get the virus. I feel like I have more time to finish my work.” 

The VICE Squad also helps to ensure safety and progress by checking the children’s computers, looking at their emails and their Google Classrooms. The program has the freedom to contact the students’ in-school teachers, and on occasion, the teachers reach out to the VICE Program.

Each one of the VICE Squad members has letters that can be sent to the parents about something the kids did well or something a child may need to improve. During the first week, the VICE Squad members reminded the younger students to bring a light jacket — the Youth Center can get cool during the day. 

Connors said they have forms where they can keep track of the students’ academics but they do not do any grading of tests or assignments.

“There is accountability,” she said. “But we are not assessors. We do not do any form of assessment.” 

Austin said she finds joy on the smiles from students when they complete an assignment or they get a certificate of completion for a test or quiz.

“It confirms what we’re doing is not in vain,” she said.

For Connors, there are no downsides to the VICE Program.

“It’s helping parents out,” she said. “It’s helping the community out. It’s helping the schools out. It’s helping the kids out. It’s just a big win-win situation. It’s so rewarding to see these kids and see the learning occur. 

“It’s a phenomenal program that is a benefit to everybody.”

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.