Studio pitched as ‘learning hub’ option

Parents everywhere are facing the conundrum of whether to send their children back to school this fall and face the possibility of  contracting Covid-19 or keep them home and forego going back to work.

Cari Allison, owner of Nine Ladies Dancing Dance Academy in Saukville, is trying to provide a middle ground.

“What if there is a third option?” she asked in a Facebook post last week.

That third option, she suggested, might be a “learning hub,” where children could study remotely while supervised by an adult.

“This is a way we can support local schools by keeping enrollments in local districts via remote learning,” she wrote.

“It’s also a way to offer support for parents who may not be comfortable going back to traditional school this fall and who also may be looking for more support than may be available at home.”

As school districts around the country make remote learning options available for families, learning hubs have sprouted up as a way to make virtual learning an option for families with caregivers who have to work during the school day or don’t have reliable internet access at home.  

In some cases, school districts are creating the hubs, while others are being organized by groups of parents or offered at community centers.

Allison is willing to offer her studio, 620 E. Green Bay Ave., Suite 105, to be a learning hub.

Besides helping students with their academics, she said she could provide activities at her dance studio that might qualify for physical-education credits. 

A learning hub also offers socialization opportunities.

Since her post, Allison said, she’s received “all positive” comments on social media, from friends and from local school officials.

Allison has already had a few parents sign up. 

“It’s not set in stone,” she said. “It’s just something we’re exploring at this point.”

Allison admits that it also a business opportunity, as attendance is down at her dance studio due to coronavirus fears.

She estimated that she would charge about $50 per child per day.

Allison said her studio has enough room to maintain social distancing and could accommodate as many as 20 children.

Ironically, Allison is not in the market for a learning hub, being that she homeschools her four boys, ages 6 months to 12 years old.

“I have heard the cries of all these parents. I just feel the need to help the community,” she said. “They have to work, and it’s hard to work if the kids have to be home.

“I love education, and I love kids and I love our community. It’s just a way to help out.”

For more details, call Allison at 397-6603 or email nineladiesdancingdanceacademy@gmail.com.

A registration form can be found at forms.gle/SkJdoJqdwz7UrAiy7.