Homeschooling parents unite in Vandergrift for program where kids can socialize — without computers

Yoga, painting, gardening and storytime await home-schooled youngsters at a new program in Vandergrift.

The Homeschool Co-op class meets every Friday in the lower level hall at The Center on Franklin Avenue in Vandergrift.

It’s two hours of creative and nontechnology focused activities for children who are home-schooled. It’s taught by The Center owner, educator and coordinator Chloe Kruse.

Kruse said the concept was born out of covid-19 conditions last fall.

Her children previously were enrolled in the Kiski Area School District, but when the pandemic hit, she sought educational options.

“I was trying to gather other like-minded families, ones that are young in age and wanting to do a lot of hands-on, noncomputer/nontechnology learning,” Kruse said. “That’s what brought us all together. The public school system switched to virtual learning, and we didn’t want our children learning on computers.”

About 10 families are enrolled; student ages range from 3 to 9.

The class routine usually includes free play, circle time, a hello song, yoga, storytime, a craft, themed activities, garden care and a closing farewell circle.

Weather permitting, Kruse always prefers to host classes outside at nearby Franklin Park.

Students are growing beans and sunflowers inside and will plant them in the Vandergrift Community Garden this spring.

Kruse’s teaching background includes training and teaching at Waldorf Schools in Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

“They offer a very nature/art-basedcurriculum, and we don’t have text books,” Kruse said. “Socializing at this age is so important.”

The Waldorf education method was created by an Austrian, Rudolf Steiner, in Germany in 1919. It emphasizes a threefold approach with one’s head, heart and hands. Play and fantasy are integral methods to a child’s growth. It now has about 1,000 schools and 2,000 early childhood programs in more than 60 countries.

The Center on Franklin Avenue was created after Kruse bought the former Trinity United Presbyterian Church for $55,000 in 2019.

Home-schooling mom Amanda Bereznak of Upper Burrell discovered the co-op on social media and decided to join.

“It’s a good atmosphere and it’s inclusive,” Bereznak said.

Bereznak’s son Jacob, 6, is autistic.

“This is his first actual school-like setting, and it’s well-suited for him,” Bereznak said.

Participation in the co-op costs $75 annually, which covers supplies.

The co-op meet from 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, and a parent or guardian is required to be in the room with the student.

Audrey Boe of Kiski Township said her two children are enjoying a learning option that’s away from home.

“We enjoy Chloe’s programs, and we are staying away from technology as long as we can,” Boe said. “My daughter Isabella is 5 and enjoys the social aspect of it.”

Kruse said she’s hoping to expand the co-op this fall and add another class if enrollment increases.

“I would like there to be enough of us to have more children separated into different age groups,” Kruse said.