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CASSOPOLIS — Despite a closure of schools in the wake of COVID-19, early learners are still receiving materials to continue their learning.

Tuesday, Great Start Cass County hosted an at-home learning kit drop-off at Lewis Cass Intermediate School District. The kits were designed for 4-year-old students who are at risk for delay in their education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The kits included books, packets with activities and more.

Tuesday, the district distributed 145 learning kits.

“These materials are to help students with common everyday lessons that children learn about — math, literacy, language, social and emotional development, physical development, science, social studies,” said Chris Whitmire, director of early childhood education for Lewis Cass ISD. “We have nature types of lessons. We have emotions types of lessons. We have math types of lessons. It is up to the teachers’ creativity to decide what they will do with these kinds of various loose parts we are giving them. … This allows families to work at their own pace.”

Tuesday’s drop-off was the second drop of at home learning kits hosted by Great Start Cass. The first was in March, and a third will be hosted at the end of May. In addition to the learning kits, Whitmire said the ISD is working to keep in contact with families through their preferred method of communication. For some, that means video conference or phone calls. For others, it can mean handwritten letters or the use of Facebook groups.

Whitmire said she believes it is critical for Great Start Cass to continue to engage children throughout the COVID-19 shutdown.

“Our goal is to take them to their next step, so they are well-prepared for kindergarten,” she said.