By CHRISTINE HAINES
A daycare program for school children in the Elizabeth Forward School District is on hold for now, but the pastor who created the plan isn’t giving up on it.
The Rev. Walter Pietschmann offered his church, Bethesda United Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, as a place for elementary students to attend their online classes if there wasn’t anyone at home to watch them.
There was plenty of interest in the free program, both by potential users and volunteers, but as the start of school approached, only two of the 10 volunteers were able to make the time commitment needed.
“It was just me and one other person, and that wasn’t enough” Pietschmann said. “The biggest difficulty was time constraint because we were trying to do it so quickly. I’m hoping within a week or two I’m able to stoke that interest into action.”
Pietschmann is also looking at some different avenues to recruit volunteers. He may reach out to local colleges and college students since so many are taking classes online and he can offer them free Wi-Fi while they oversee the elementary students.
Pietschmann originally reached out to members of his church and community, encouraging those who might be home, such as retirees, to bring their reading or crafts with them. He found, however, that many of the older people who might be available and interested in volunteering also had health concerns regarding COVID-19 and didn’t want to increase their exposure even though social distancing and other precautions would be taken.
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