School Board President Linda Wegner said they understand the hardship it could present to families, especially for working parents in need of childcare.

To provide some relief, Wegner and district leaders are reaching out to different organizations for help.

Starting Monday, the Dixon Family YMCA will be providing an After Care program for students up to sixth grade from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Jefferson and Madison elementary schools and Reagan Middle School.

There will be one adult per 15 students, and all health and safety guidelines will be followed, including wearing masks, social distancing and limiting areas to 50 people.

The district also is also working with KSB Hospital, which is creating a babysitting academy for those age 13 and older, Superintendent Margo Empen said.

It likely will be a 6-hour class on Saturdays that could begin in mid- to late-September, and in it, older students will learn how to care for their siblings or others, and how to handle different situations, Empen said.

Open Sesame Child Care Center created a 3-day fee structure to follow with the district learning plan, but they’re full up and have a wait list.

Wegner has reached out to the Dixon Park District for possible activities and to the Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street about businesses being flexible for parents. She’s hoping that other groups and organizations like churches join in to find creative solutions for families during this time.

"This community is a helping community," Wegner said.

Training also will be available for students, parents, grandparents and childcare workers on different remote-learning platforms to help students with homework.