Inspiring Teen Launches X-Time, a Free Virtual Learning Program for Elementary School Students
After her high school closed in March due to the pandemic, freshman Sophia Libman felt the void in her daily schedule which included an array of after-school activities. Realizing that other kids were experiencing the same void and frustration, Libman created X-Time, a virtual program that supports elementary school children with free online learning and activities that are both educational and fun.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Dec. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- When her Champaign, Ill. school Academy High closed in March due to the pandemic, freshman Sophia Libman immediately felt the void in her typically active and engaging daily schedule, which also included a variety of afterschool activities. Recognizing the challenges and frustration that she and so many students and their parents were experiencing without the kids' usual routines, Libman created X-Time, a virtual program that supports elementary school children with free online learning and activities that are both educational and fun .
"When the pandemic started, I saw that it caused so many challenges for families in the community, and I had to do something to help, said Libman. "I wanted to provide something for children to look forward to while also helping parents.'"
Libman knew that elementary school students needed new ways to discover and pursue their interests. She also saw that plenty of local organizations had some newfound time on their hands. She conceived X-Time, which offers free 30-minute classes over Zoom each month for elementary school students, with different instructors.
"Our mission is to support children with free online activities that are fun and educational," said Libman. "We hope these classes will expose students to a variety of interests and fuel their passions to learn more," said Libman.
The classes include gymnastics, writing, performing arts, math, martial arts, yoga, acting, science, ballet, and so much more, according to the website that Libman created. She has found instructors from local businesses as well as community members including published authors and musicians willing to lend their expertise. Instructors have also been plucked from the University of Illinois, including those from the mathematics and science departments.
The name X-Time is derived from algebra, where the letter 'X' is variable. In math, "X" is the value that is not yet known. Libman hopes that these classes will show students the value in some areas that they don't know about yet and deepen their interests in areas that they may already enjoy. Also, the classes will change each month just like the value "X" in math changes.
To date, X-Time has raised about $800. All donations go to the COVID-19 Relief Fund through the United Way of Champaign County. The money donated has been used towards out-of-school assistance to local school districts and for food for the most food-insecure neighbors. Libman hopes to eventually extend the classes to middle- and high-schoolers.
"My hope is that X-Time becomes a virtual place where students can go to discover new areas of interest. I hope that even after the pandemic it'll still be there," she said.
For more information, visit X-Time's website at https://x-time.org/.
Media contact: Stacey Vaselaney at [email protected] or (216) 905-0908.
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Media Contact
Stacy Vaselaney, SLV Public Relations, LLC, 2169050908, [email protected]
SOURCE X-Time
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