MANKATO, Minnesota (KEYC) – Mankato area public schools are working with the City of Mankato, United Way Greater Mankato Area and Mayo Clinic Health System to provide children with an additional resource to use to help them reduce stress related to distance learning.

They offer a free online study center for Grades 6 to 12 students who are in School District 77.

This online tutoring center focuses not on just one topic, but all of them.

“General subjects therefore not only history, but science and mathematics. So we are just trying to provide some extra help for the students who need a little extra help. The district is trying to provide another resource for these students to get general help, ”said Tony Broskoff, tutor for the Center for Online Studies.

You can get this resource in three easy steps, one login to your MAPS student portal, two selections from the online study center application, and three access to MAPS staff for specific help.

The center takes teachers from across the school district and has them become tutors. They help students who are having difficulty in a particular subject.

MAPS teachers will meet you through Google Meet for Students, but this program is only available on scheduled school days.

“Google Meet is something they use every day in their classes, so they can use it effortlessly and independently,” said Melanie Schmidt, Youth Development Program Coordinator for the Education Department and community recreation program from MAPS.

MAPS wanted to focus more on the high school years for this program due to the more intensive workload they go through with the online school.

“The thoroughness of their work and the preparation they need to stay on target for college and university and career preparation,” Schmidt said.

Even though the program is still in its infancy, staff members involved say they already know how important this study center is to students who need the extra boost.

“It’s very vital, because I think it tells our students that ‘hey, we’re here to support you, there’s some extra help if you need it and want it,” “Broskott said.

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