The Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department will begin offering free virtual learning sites for elementary students.

The department is partnering with Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City and Camp Fire to offer the program to students enrolled in kindergarten through 6th grade in the Kansas City Public School System (KCPS).

The new Virtual Learning Sites will offer students a place to do virtual school work Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with structural virtual learning support. Before school care will also be available from 7 to 9 a.m. and after school care will be available from 3 to 6 p.m.

KC Parks Deputy Director Roosevelt Lyons said KCPS was included in the planning of these virtual learning sites.

Licensed and trained staff will provide instruction and assist with virtual learning, and in addition to completing their assignments, students will have the opportunity to participate in fun recreation activities.

“Our intention is to offer an option for families with parents who either may be essential workers or who may need assistance with virtual learning,” Lyons said. “The limited capacity allows for safer interactions as opposed to a typical school setting. We encourage families who have the ability to conduct virtual learning from home to do so. We do recognize that some parents may not have that option.”

The program will start when school begins on Sept. 8, but registration begins Monday, Aug. 10. Students must be registered to use this service. KCPS families will receive a discount code directly from the district.

The number of students able to enroll is site specific, but ranges from 30 to 50. Social distancing and masks will be required. Additionally, students will all be served breakfast, lunch and a snack.

The four KC Parks locations for the Virtual Learning Center are Brush Creek Community Center at 3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., Garrison Community Center at 1124 E. 5th St., Gregg/Klice Community Center at 1600 John “Buck” O’Neil Way, and Southeast Community enter at 4201 E. 63rd St.

Bus transportation will be provided by KCPS at normal bus stops to and from the sites.

KCPS will begin the school year with virtual learning for all students, and will evaluate COVID-19 infection rates before phasing students back into classroom learning.