Cardona interacted with kids in the Springfield School District’s after-school SCOPE program, emphasizing the partnership with the city’s Boys and Girls Club as a way to relieve some of the burden on public schools, which have carried greater and greater responsibility for child development beyond classroom learning.

An unprecedented infusion of aid money the U.S. government provided to schools during the pandemic has begun to dwindle. Like Williams’ school, some districts already are winding down programming like expanded summer school and after-school tutoring. Some teachers and support staff brought on to help kids through the crisis are being let go.

Students across the country are still struggling. This makes it all the more essential for parents to play an important, active role in their child's academic journey.

Through the internship Beyond Rising, undocumented high school students in the Bronx have an opportunity to legally work in a growing environment. Without it, many of these students either get denied because of their status or don't apply. The program is through the nonprofit the Oyate Group and in partnership with Lehman College.