Parents create ‘pandemic pods’ as Grafton kids return to school
Some Grafton children hopped on school buses Wednesday morning, masked and sitting apart from each other.
Some wandered down to the breakfast table, or a Pinterest-ready desk setup, ready to begin a day of remote learning.
And a few spent their day in Julie Bovenzi’s basement at Truth Organic Spa, where yoga mats have been replaced by tables, a teacher, and educational offerings in addition to the Grafton schools’ remote option.
“It’s a paid pandemic pod,” explained Brit Minichiello, who started the Grafton Co-op & Alternative Childcare Facebook group over the summer. “That’s just one of the co-op models we’ve arranged for the school year.”
After COVID-19 shut down schools across the state back in March, parents had to accept a new reality: not only were their companies sending them home to work, but school was now in session right their in their home office. Those deemed essential workers also had to cope with finding childcare while the rest of the community was hunkered down at home.
“I’ve always just been thinking about how we build community in Grafton,” Minichiello said. “Covid made me think that there are families that really struggle. I was thinking there must be essential workers and parents who just don’t have the resources.”
Minichiello is not the kind of person who thinks of a problem without attempting to come up with a solution. She started out midsummer with a little Facebook of about 10 families discussing what might be feasible in terms of sharing childcare.
“The next thing I knew, we had 250 families introducing themselves,” she said with a laugh. “It got away from me in such a positive way, but I was able to see the struggle”
As the school year started, the co-op came up with several working options.
There are paid pandemic pods at businesses such as Truth and Apple Tree Arts, which offer space for a small number of children plus a tutor, hired by the parents. Since the schools are using a hybrid model, Group A will be in school the week Group B is in the pod, and vice versa.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Bovenzi said. “We have a separate entrance they can use, some space for a play area… I’m really looking forward to having the kids here.”
There are co-ops in which parents or caregivers offer to switch times providing childcare, especially popular for those with younger students. Others have created socialization groups, matching children of similar ages and interests for Covid playdates.
“I matched everybody who expressed interest, and we still have people who find the group and introduce themselves with a matchmaking post,” Minichiello said.
Minichiello grew up in Grafton but lived for a while in Northbridge before returning with her family. Life as a parent had her searching for activities to do with her sons, ages 3 and 1, so she became a managing editor for Hulafrog, a website that breaks down local offerings. She also works in health care, running a medical consulting business, and moderates the Buy Nothing Grafton Group on Facebook.
“I think we can do better in Grafton for Grafton families,” she said. “At the very least, we can find a way for families to meet up to provide socialization for their kids.”
