Learning from Home-The McLaurin’s

When Jackson-area schools closed their doors last year due to COVID-19, retired high school guidance counselor Donna McLaurin stepped in to help her grandchildren transition to distance learning.

What made the biggest difference? According to Ms. McLaurin, organization, a daily schedule, encouragement—and strong support from SR1.

Her grandson Nicolas McLaurin, then a fourth grader at St. Richard Catholic School, and her granddaughter Mikhala McLaurin, then an eighth grader at St. Joseph Catholic School, have been SR1 C.O.O.L.™ Scholars for their entire academic careers. When schools shifted to virtual classes, the two spent their school days with Ms. McLaurin while their parents worked.

SR1 provided a hotspot so Nicolas and Mikhala could access the internet on their laptop and tablet.

“I don’t have internet,” Ms. McLaurin explained. “I mentioned to Dorlisa (Hutton) at SR1 that we were using my cellphone, and she said, ‘I have a hotspot you can check out.’ That’s the kind of support SR1 provides.”

Mikhala managed her assignments independently, while Nicolas required more structure. To stay organized, Ms. McLaurin worked with Nicolas’s mother to keep a binder of daily assignments and left notes on areas that needed review. She also set up a dedicated learning space at her dining table—complete with fruit for snacks and soft background music from WJSU-FM.

Nicolas logged in at 8 a.m. each day, joined Zoom math at 10 a.m., and reading at 2 p.m. Ms. McLaurin encouraged breaks, outdoor study time, and even integrated a hands-on garden project that Nicolas documented in writing. At the end of the day, Sonic slushes became a favorite reward.

Throughout the pandemic, SR1 continued to support students by mailing activity packets and offering extra help. Both Nicolas and Mikhala also joined SR1 tutoring sessions on Saturdays. Mikhala participated on the SR1 Robotics Team, which competed in several challenges, and both children enjoyed SR1 summer camps, including the 2020 hybrid camp.

“I can’t say enough good things about SR1,” Ms. McLaurin said. “I am so happy that my grandchildren are involved in it. SR1 is the best kept secret in Mississippi—it’s made up of good people who run a really good program.”