Dear John,
While this email is to provide resources for parents of school children, all New Yorkers should be advised of the new state order for ALL non-essential workers to stay home starting Sunday night, except for those performing essential services like grocery stores and pharmacies. Details here [[link removed]] .
Earlier this week, some of you joined me for a call with Susan Fox from Park Slope Parents, public elementary school teacher Liat Olenick, and public middle school teacher Lynn Shon. We talked about distance learning efforts from DOE, and how best we can keep parents sane and kids learning and occupied.
As we wind up this first week of physical distancing and start looking ahead to the official start of remote learning in the public schools I want to reiterate the main message of that call: dial down the anxiety, stay calm, take breaks -- it’s okay if you don’t already have 10 hours of stuff for your child to do every day. The DOE remote learning plan will not even be up and running until this coming Monday and the DOE is still working to make sure that hundreds of thousands of NYC school children get the technology needed to access online remote learning tools. So take it easy, be kind to yourself -- as parents you don’t need to be an expert teacher by Monday. We (teachers, parents) are all learning this together.
In the past 24 hours DOE has updated their online tools for everyone in the NYC public school community -- parents, students, teachers and school staff, so first and foremost we want to get those links out so you can begin this new educational journey we are all on together. While many schools have already begun providing remote learning tools to families, remote learning at NYC public schools officially starts on Monday, March 23. The resources below are in addition to whatever specific communications you may receive from your school.
Many of you will be glad to hear that state tests are cancelled [[link removed]] for elementary and middle school students. We have not yet heard anything about the Regents exam for high schoolers, but will share when we do.
DOE Resources:
DOE Learn at Home Resources [[link removed]]
A good source of DOE general online content organized by grade, as well as additional resources like links to free magazines and books. There are resources for young children as well as supplemental materials for those students who receive remote lesson material from their teachers.
DOE Remote Learning Portal [[link removed]]
The DOE has created a remote learning portal to support students and teachers. The portal provides quick links to online learning platforms such as Google Classroom, Microsoft suite of applications, and Actively Learn. Students can sign in with their DOE Student Accounts. If you do not remember your student account information follow the instructions here DOE Student Accounts [[link removed]] You will need your 9-digit student OSIS number.
DOE Remote Learning Device Request Form [[link removed]]
DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students. If you would like to request a device for a NYC student in your family, fill out the Request form at the link above or call 718-935-5100 and choose Option 5 on the menu. If you know someone without access to technology please pass this phone number on to them!
Remote Learning for Special Education Students [[link removed]]
The resources here are designed to support your child when at home. You will find social stories, visual aids, at home tips for speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
DOE has also provided guidance on a Special Education Remote Learning Plan that will be developed for all students with IEPs in the school by their special education teacher or other school based staff with knowledge of the student, and that each child’s plan will be shared and discussed with their family.
Occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech and counseling providers are expected to provide appropriate teletherapy services in conjunction with schools’ remote instructional plan. They will review all mandates in their caseload to determine how best to deliver appropriate teletherapy services to students starting on March 23. The opportunity for appropriate tele-therapy will be limited. At minimum, therapists will provide a weekly tele-therapy consultation with the student and their caregiver to provide support and advice regarding appropriate therapeutic activities.
DOE Enrichment Centers:
NYCDOE Regional Enrichment Center Enrollment Form [[link removed]]
Starting Monday, March 23 Regional Enrichment Centers will be open from Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. At this time RECs will serve the children of healthcare workers, first responders, or transit workers ONLY, so please apply only if you are one of these amazing folks. Following survey submission, the DOE will contact you with additional details about where and how to bring your child to a REC site within 48-72 hours. RECs will be present citywide and staffed by DOE employees and community-based organization partners. Children will get three hot meals daily, remote learning time with their teachers, activities like art/music, and social and emotional support. Each room will have a maximum of 12 children, supported by at least one adult; this size will both allow for personalized attention and will meet social distancing needs. RECs will also have nurses on site. Children will have the opportunity to participate in remote learning with their regular school, as is the case for all NYC public school students.
Additional updates and information will be posted on the DOE website about RECs as it becomes available at [link removed] [[link removed]] . You can call (718) 935-2200 if you have questions.
Regional Enrichment Center Staff Interest Survey [[link removed]]
For teachers, staff, paras, substitutes, school food workers looking to volunteer-- we cannot thank you enough for lending your talents to ensure that our first responders, health care and transit workers can continue to work knowing their children have a place to go during the day!
Free meals for all NYC children [[link removed]]
Free meals are available daily for all NYC children. Beginning March 23, meals will be distributed at more than 400 sites across the city. Three meals a day, including breakfast, will be available to all NYC children Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 1:30 pm at locations across the city. Use the site lookup tool on the link above to find a location near you.
Other useful DOE sites:
Google Classroom and Microsoft Office 365 for students [[link removed]]
DOE Coronavirus updates [[link removed]]
We had a good conversation on the call on Wednesday about tips for parents struggling to balance working at home and taking care of your kids. You can read some excellent tips here [[link removed]] from Park Slope Parents about how to approach this new reality.
General Resources for keeping you and your kids feeling connected and engaged:
Park Slope Parents [[link removed]]
A Principal’s list of things to do during COVID closures [[link removed]]
How to talk to kids about coronavirus [[link removed]]
Online Programming from the Brooklyn Public Library [[link removed]]
Science from Home: Science tips and resources for children [[link removed]] from Liat Olenick, elementary school science teacher.
Open letter from a high school teacher [[link removed]] to help graduating high school seniors put the tremendous loss of this important year into perspective.
Free broadband internet/wifi from Spectrum:
Sign up details are here [[link removed]] . Beware -- there are limitations on eligibility and wait times are long if you call. Some internet providers are lifting data caps during coronavirus, find out more here [[link removed]] .
For Parents with Paid Caregivers:
Park Slope Parents list of questions [[link removed]] to ask yourself and tips for good communication to determine how to support paid caregivers.
Hand in Hand Domestic Employers Network guide to being a fair employer. [[link removed]]
Lastly, Integrate NYC has created this Student Survey to check in with students about how they are feeling and what their needs are. Your student can fill it out here [[link removed]] .
We will continue to send regular COVID-19 updates, and are regularly updating resources on our website here [[link removed]] .
Brad
456 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-499-1090
[email protected]
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