
Parents Challenge empowers parents to choose schools they think are best for their children, and stands ready during this particularly difficult time to do even more.
When Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order suspending all in-person learning in public and private schools, he also directed that alternative learning opportunities be made available to students. Parents Challenge responded to this call by reaching out to the families in our program to reassure them that we stand ready to assist them in any possible way during the COVID-19 crisis.
Parents Challenge Survey Report 4.14.2020 – conducted by QREM Evaluation Organization
U.S. Department of Education Releases Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide
This is a great resource to support your scholars digital learning.
WASHINGTON – On October 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education released a new Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, a resource to help parents and guardians understand how digital tools can provide tailored learning opportunities, engage students with course materials, encourage creative expression, and enrich the educational experience.
“As technology continues to iterate and benefit every part of our lives, all students need more opportunities to leverage the potential of technology in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “We hope families can use the information we release today as many of them are relying on technology more so than ever before and are navigating learning from home.”
Digital learning can help families and educators meet the specific needs of individual students, understand a child’s progress, and connect families and students with resources in their school community and beyond. As an increasing number of school systems implement digital learning both inside and outside of the traditional classroom, this guide demystifies digital learning for parents and empowers them to be effective advocates for high-quality digital learning.
The Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide includes guidance and best practices for caregivers around topics including:
- How to leverage flexibilities and innovations technology and digital tools provide, such as accessibility options, to meet the unique needs of every learner — including students with disabilities and English language learners.
- Simple steps parents can take to keep their children safe online and foster safe online behavior, such as accessing security features on a child’s device, keeping track of log-in information, and keeping children safe while videoconferencing. The guide also discusses the importance of digital citizenship and offers parents resources to help their child navigate online bullying or encounters with troubling content.
- How a competency-based learning approach, which measures a student’s knowledge of a subject rather than time spent on the subject, can harness technology for the benefit of students. Digital resources like online assessments, periodic check-ins, and more can update parents on their child’s learning progress, and they can provide instructional flexibility in the event of a school disruption.
- Easy-to-understand primers on major federal laws governing student privacy and safety, such as FERPA, IDEA, and COPPA.
The Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide was informed by the feedback and contributions of digital learning experts representing researchers, parents, educators, and school leaders, as well as Digital Promise and Learning Heroes. This publication is the first in a series that will ultimately provide digital learning knowledge and resources to educators and school leaders in addition to parents and students.
The guide can be viewed here.
COVID-19 Update - October
We are in month 10 of this pandemic, and we cannot put enough emphasis on the importance of utilizing the safety protocols that assist in mitigating COVID-19. Masking, hand washing, and disinfecting surfaces frequently should, and will be the way of life for the foreseeable future.
COVID-19 Update: October
We are in month 10 of this pandemic, and we cannot put enough emphasis on the importance of utilizing the safety protocols that assist in mitigating COVID-19. Masking, hand washing, and disinfecting surfaces frequently should, and will be the way of life for the foreseeable future. As we look forward to the holiday season, it is important to note that even with state and municipal governments re-opening and lifting restrictions, this virus is not behind us, especially in African American and other communities of color. The numbers are climbing up and we encourage you to minimize your outings and contact with the public in the coming months.
Flu season is here, and we must do our part to protect our families and communities. The added burdens of influenza and pneumonia during this pandemic will tax our healthcare system and its essential staff. Please do your part by getting a flu shot sooner rather than later. This will give healthcare workers the ability to focus on COVID-19 and allow doctors and hospitals to eliminate the flu as a diagnosis for patients being admitted.
HALLOWEEN
Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. When planning, please review the lower to higher risk activities below from CDC.gov to ensure safety during your celebrations.
Lower Risk Activities
These lower-risk activities can be safe alternatives:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them.
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space.
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance.
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest.
- Having a Halloween movie night with the people you live with.
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.
Moderate Risk Activities
- Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard).
- If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.
- Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than six feet apart.
- Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than six feet apart.
- A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
- Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
- Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than six feet apart.
- If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
- Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing. Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least six feet apart
- If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
- Lower your risk by following the CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cookouts.
Higher Risk Activities
Avoid these higher-risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:
- Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.
- Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
- Attending crowded costume parties held indoors.
- Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming.
- Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.
- Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.
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Plus, even when kids are playing games, there is no shortage of learning. Adventure Academy is designed to strengthen reading comprehension, provide practice in important math concepts, allow a deep dive into science, and expand history and world geography knowledge. Every learning objective is woven into gameplay to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of learning!
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FIND OUT MOREFamily, School, & Community Engagement Newsletter: Department Launches 2021-22 FAFSA Cycle
What to Do and How to Help
For those who are homeless and need a place to live, there are options. Here’s a look at homeless resources, homelessness during the pandemic, and how those willing to help can get involved.
Family, School, & Community Engagement Newsletter: Department Launches 2021-22 FAFSA Cycle
A Letter to America’s Parents
In an Aug. 31 letter to parents, Secretary Betsy DeVos expressed how important it is that every student have access to full-time learning this fall in the ways and places that work best for their family – online, in-person, or a hybrid approach.
“At the end of the day, we want everyone to have the choices to make the best decision for them. Some may choose to learn at home. Some may choose to return to their school. Some may choose to do a combination of both. Each of you needs to be able to choose what’s best for your own families because you know your children and their circumstance better than anyone. Your child. Your school. Your way. … President Donald Trump and I are fighting every day for more options for every student and every family this fall.”
Celebrating Students and School Reopenings
With visits, calls, and virtual showcases, Secretary DeVos and Department senior officials are promoting safely reopening schools and expanding educational options for students and families.
Last week, in North Carolina, Secretary DeVos participated in a roundtable discussion on school choice in Raleigh, then visited Jenkins Elementary School in Hickory and Piedmont Community Charter School in Gastonia as all public schools were able to reopen for in-person learning.
Also last week, the Secretary participated in a roundtable discussion on school choice in Waukesha, Wisconsin, hearing from parents who had moved children to private schools for in-person instruction.
Additionally, with U.S. Senator Tim Scott and members of the White House Domestic Policy Council, the Secretary joined an October 9 call with African-American leaders concerning the importance of educational freedom and providing more opportunities for students of color.
This week, the Secretary visited International Leadership of Texas’ K-8 and high schools in Garland and Arizona’s Phoenix International Academy.
Separately, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan visited Wilmington Christian School in Delaware (pictured above) on October 1 and Lancaster Catholic High School in Pennsylvania on October 8, between hosting interactive virtual showcases with Clinton City Schools in Tennessee (joined by Governor Bill Lee) and Wayman Academy of the Arts in Florida on September 30, Cardinal Community Schools in Iowa (joined by Governor Kim Reynolds) and Illini Bluffs School District in Illinois on October 7 and Conemaugh Township Elementary School in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and Central Elementary School in Logan, Ohio, on October 14.
Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Scott Stump also hosted a virtual showcase, with Westminster High School in Colorado, on October 15.
Finally, the Department launched a social media campaign highlighting stories from educators who have successfully transitioned back to school this fall.
Secretary DeVos Congratulates 2020 President’s Education Awards Program Recipients
Secretary DeVos congratulated the 2020 President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) recipients, recognizing nearly 1.75 million elementary, middle, and high school graduates for their educational accomplishments. The students come from more than 18,750 public, private, and military schools from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American military bases abroad.
PEAP was founded in 1983. Every year since then, the program has provided our nation’s schools with the opportunity to recognize graduating students who meet high standards of academic excellence (President’s Award for Educational Excellence) and those students who have given their best effort, often overcoming significant obstacles to their learning (President’s Award for Educational Achievement).
Competitive Grant Awards
Before the end of the federal fiscal year (Sept. 30), the Department awarded a significant number of competitive grant awards, including the announcement of funding under two grant programs focused on meeting students’ unique learning needs and improving student outcomes. The Expanding Access to Well-Rounded Courses Demonstration Grants program (six awards to SEAs totaling $9.6 million) supports school districts’ efforts to develop distance learning opportunities, expand their course offerings, and ensure that students have access to a broad range of advanced, career and technical, and other courses. The Well-Rounded Education through Student-Centered Funding Demonstration Grants program (two awards to local educational agencies totaling around $1 million) supports the development and implementation of student-centered funding systems.
U.S. Department of Education Launches Rethink Adult Ed Challenge to Grow Pre-Apprenticeship Opportunities for Lifelong Learners
In recognition of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, on Sept. 24 Secretary DeVos announced the Rethink Adult Ed Challenge that will expand career opportunities for adult learners through pre-apprenticeship programs. These important educational opportunities help to ensure students seeking apprenticeships are prepared with the skills they need for success.
“In our dynamic and changing economy, learning must be a lifelong pursuit,” said Secretary DeVos. “Educational opportunities for adults should reflect this reality, but all too often, students, particularly adult learners, encounter barriers to changing careers and learning new skills. This pre-apprenticeship challenge gives local education leaders the opportunity and encouragement they need to rethink adult education to match this new reality and ensure students are prepared for success.”
The Rethink Adult Ed Challenge, with prizes totaling $750,000, will help Adult Education and Family Literacy Act-funded adult education providers create innovative and high-quality pre-apprenticeship programs — in any industry, anywhere in the United States.
Department Launches 2021-22 FAFSA Cycle
The U.S. Department of Education has released the 2021–22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. This launch comes as the Department continues to provide information, tools, and resources to help students make informed decisions about their education options.
Students and parents can easily complete the form via fafsa.gov on a desktop or mobile device. This year, enhanced help topics provide even more guidance through the form, and, as a result of user feedback, many financial help topics on fafsa.gov now feature images of the forms with relevant line numbers visually highlighted to help applicants navigate the FAFSA form.
The Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) remains the fastest way for applicants to enter tax return information accurately on the FAFSA form.
The Department provides other tools and resources designed to help students complete and submit the FAFSA form and make informed choices. The Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment provides links to the College Scorecard, where students can estimate their post-completion starting salary based on the school they plan to attend and the program in which they will enroll.
The Department’s Homeroom blog also contains posts with helpful information, including:
7 Things You Need Before You Fill Out the 2021–22 FAFSA® Form
https://blog.ed.gov/2020/09/7-things-need-fill-2021-22-fafsa-form/
8 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
https://blog.ed.gov/2020/09/8-steps-filling-fafsa-form/
New Web Tool to Help Families and Educators Easily Access School Spending Data
In September, the Department launched a new tool that increases transparency on per pupil expenditures (PPE) in schools. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to report how much federal, state, and local taxpayer money school districts spent on students. Unfortunately, each state provides the information in different ways. Now, through the new website studentspending.ed.gov, state data will be aggregated and made easily accessible and searchable. The tool displays the breakdown of federal, state, and local funds that make up the PPE for each school and district, starting with the 2018-19 school year. The tool features an interactive map, individual state pages, and a downloadable Excel file. Users can search for individual districts and schools and sort, filter, and compare information between schools and districts within each state. The site is also accessible on mobile devices.
Updated COVID-19 Resources
The White House, the Department, and other federal agencies continue to release guidance to support schools, educators, and families regarding COVID-19. Many of the latest documents are listed below. Please visit the Department’s COVID-19 information and resources webpage for the most current information, and any questions for the Department may be directed to COVID-19@ed.gov.
- Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/Coronavirus, and USA.gov/Coronavirus
- Secretary DeVos Implements President Trump’s Presidential Memorandum Extending Student Loan Relief to Borrowers Through End of Year
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
- CDC’s Preparing K-12 School Administrators for a Safe Return to School, Operational Considerations for Schools, and Considerations for Operating Schools during COVID-19
- Trump Administration Extends Free Meals for Kids for Entire School Year
- Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Distribution of 125 Million Cloth Face Masks to Schools
- Department of Labor’s Answering Questions about Eligibility for Paid Leave and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Radical Family Engagement Week
The week of Oct. 26, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide new insights regarding RADICAL family engagement and how it can change the landscape of education and early childhood systems, starting in the early years. The week kicks off on Monday, Oct. 26 with virtual ParentCamp with HHS’s Administration for Children and Families and the Department of ED as partners in the event. Additional events throughout the week seek to deepen understanding about what is needed to authentically engage parents and cross-sector partners to ensure successful transitions for children from early childhood programs to K-12.
Can Texting Messages to Parents Improve Attendance in Elementary School?
Chronic absence is a nationwide problem, even among young students. The Can Texting Parents Improve Attendance in Elementary School? study presents findings that tested four versions of an adaptive text messaging strategy. All four versions of the adaptive text messaging strategy reduced chronic absence but did not improve achievement after one school year.
National Survey of Children’s Health
This Child Health Day (Oct. 5), HHS’s Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) released new data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), funded and directed by the Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB). The survey provides national and state level estimates of key measures of child health and well-being. These data are essential to understanding the health status and health services needs of children across the nation and in your state and community.
Activities at Home During the Pandemic
The National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) created a webpage for families called Ideas for Activities at Home During COVID-19 Pandemic. The webpage houses resources and supports that families of children with deaf-blindness can use to help them navigate services and everyday life. Resources are also available to assist children to continue to learn while having fun.
Home Curriculum-Based Measurement
The ED-funded National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) released a new resource designed to support families using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) at home. The webpage, CBM at Home shows families how to use a CBM to assess their child, in grades K-3, to get a general sense of their child’s reading skills and risk for reading disabilities. The page also includes research-based resources that can fit into families’ daily routines.
Six Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for Early Math Learning
Families can help children explore math while cooking. The Development in Research and Early Math Education (DREME) Network encourages families to make recipes together using skills such as counting, measuring, or adding and subtracting. The available math tips in English and some in Spanish can be used when preparing almost any food.
Molly of Denali™
In the July 2019 “Early Learning” newsletter, we announced a new Department-funded PBS Kids television show, “Molly of Denali,” that premiered on July 15, 2019. The show is groundbreaking in that it is the first nationally distributed children’s series to feature a native Alaskan lead character. The series has involved over 60 Alaska natives at every level of production, including developing stories and writing scripts, serving as advisors on culture and language, serving as voice talent, writing and performing music, and more. In June, “Molly of Denali” won a Peabody Award, a distinguished achievement and one of media broadcasting’s oldest awards given for excellence in broadcasting. The Peabody team expressed that the award was given “for helping to shift the ways that the next generation will think about indigenous people and for giving native media-makers a central role in shaping their own representation.” You can learn more about “Molly of Denali” on the Peabody Awards page.
Financial Support
Families: With all the financial situations, good/bad, that many of us are facing, please take a look at some tips and resources to help you manage your finances or seek financial support to build healthy financial habits.
Financial Support
OneMain Financial: How to take control of your credit card bills
If you find yourself with overwhelming credit card debt, don’t lose heart – there are tried and true ways to get out from under it. However you got into debt, read about nine ways to help you take control.
Get Smart About Credit Day As part of Get Smart About Credit Day (Oct.15), a national campaign to promote credit education, we encourage everyone to learn about credit year-round. OneMain offers resources to help you develop responsible credit habits. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular insights on this topic.
Take Charge of Your Finances With Free Interactive Courses Learn about credit, debt management, budgeting and more. Visit your online account or the mobile app for extra courses we hand-selected just for customers. Take these quick 5 minute courses.
4 Ways to Check Your Credit for Free There’s no need to pay for your credit score, credit report or credit-monitoring services. We’ve gathered four easy ways to do it for free.
How Does Debt Consolidation Affect Credit? Thinking about taking out a debt consolidation loan,1 but not sure how it will impact your credit score? Learn how taking out this type of loan could potentially help or hurt your credit score in our latest blog post.
What is VantageScore® and How Does it Work? Did you know that, as a OneMain customer, you have free access to your VantageScore® credit score? Here’s what you need to know about this popular credit scoring model.
9 Simple Ways to Start Building Your Savings Few things help people sleep easier than having a healthy savings plan. Here are some ways to get started.
How to Lower Expenses By Talking to Your Creditors Learn why picking up the phone can be a smart move in times of financial crisis – and may lower payments immediately. Here’s how to make that tough call easier, for maximum impact.
Homelessness During the Pandemic
What to Do and How to Help
For those who are homeless and need a place to live, there are options. Here’s a look at homeless resources, homelessness during the pandemic, and how those willing to help can get involved.
Screen Time Diet
Helping Your Teen Find The Balance With Tech
For teens, the wave of daily activity on Snapchat, Instagram and games like Fortnite can consume hours a day at the best of times. And since lockdown, with leaving the house mostly out of bounds, getting teens to spend a healthy amount of time with their screens has become even harder.
Bootcamp - 15 Household Items You Can Use to Workout
Families:
Workout resources right in your home. Who needs a gym?
Thanks to Andreanna.
Digital Boot Camp (Week 1)
Hello Families:
Here is an excellent way to get in shape or stay in shape during this pandemic. Information provided by Andreanna Trujillo, PC family.
Betsy DeVos on Coronavirus: What Are the Feds Doing to Help Schools?
Comprehensive parent site
Hello Families: Resource from Lori
Here is another great resource for summer help, dealing with the issues of today and overall support for in-home instruction.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court Just Struck Down Discrimination in Education
Hello Parents: We often remind you that you are your child’s 1st teacher and you should be the one that determines what educational choice works best for your scholar(s). Now the Supreme Court validates Parents’ Rights. Please read press release. It is a great day for decisions to be decided on behalf of PARENTS. Yeah!!!
BREAKING: The Supreme Court Just Struck Down Discrimination in Education
Hello Parents: We often remind you that you are your child’s 1st teacher and you should be the one that determines what educational choice works best for your scholar(s). Now the Supreme Court validates Parents’ Rights. Please read press release. It is a great day for decisions to be decided on behalf of PARENTS. Yeah!!!
U.S. Supreme Court Validates Parents’ Rights
Monumental decision affirms the right of parents to direct the education of their children.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The decision of the Supreme Court in favor of the plaintiff in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue validates a parent’s constitutionally protected right to direct the education of their children.
“The weight that this monumental decision carries is immense, as it’s an extraordinary victory for student achievement, parental control, equality in educational opportunities, and First Amendment rights,” said Jeanne Allen, the founder and chief executive of the Center for Education Reform (CER).
“For many families, Espinoza not only provides the potential for expanded opportunities for them to educate their children, including the choice of religious education, but also the right to decide what they believe is the most effective way to do so.”
As the plaintiffs argued, and CER reinforced in its amicus brief, denying parents their school of choice because of its religious nature — on the basis of Blaine Amendments enacted by many states decades ago — injures parents and children by violating bedrock constitutional principles. This is especially true for low-income families who are bound by their zip codes and financial barriers to chronically substandard schools. The Espinoza victory represents monumental progress toward reversing damage that has been done for nearly 150 years and which states can now address.
Former Solicitor General Paul Clement, author of CER’s amicus brief, adds, “In some states, legislation may be sufficient to enjoin application of a Blaine Amendment. In other states, an advisory opinion (from the Attorney General or state supreme court) may be the preferred course. In still other states, it may be necessary to bring a declaratory judgment action seeking a court ruling. And a state’s particular law and circumstances may call for some combination of these efforts — even all three.”
In the coming days, CER will be reviewing the literature as to how states can best proceed given the complexity of the decision.
FREE! Kids Learn-to-Knit Online Course
Now is the perfect time for children to learn to knit. It’s the ideal activity to relax with during the summer holidays, and with limited outings and social distancing rules in place, a creative outlet is just what they need. It’s online…
FREE! Kids Learn-to-Knit Online Course
We’ve added a new class to our Easy Learn to Knit Mini Course for Children
Thousands of children have already signed up for our popular online Kids Knit course and are enjoying getting creative with wool!
Now is the perfect time for children to learn to knit. It’s the ideal activity to relax with during the summer holidays, and with limited outings and social distancing rules in place, a creative outlet is just what they need. It’s online, which is where most learning continues to be done at the moment and it is free with easy step-by-step instructions. Knitting helps children to learn maths, spacial recognition and mindfulness, and boosts their creativity and confidence, all while working at their own pace.
In the 5-part course they’ll learn:
- How to cast on, knit, and cast off
- Tips for success
- How to make 3 quick, fun projects
- We’ve included a simple striped cowl for when they’ve mastered the basics
Once they’ve mastered the basics, they’re ready to try our new bonus class: Learn to Purl
All your child needs is a ball of wool and some needles (we recommend Rowan Big Wool and a pair of size 10:00mm/US15), a tapestry needle, craft scissors and basic crafting supplies. Support your local yarn store if you don’t have what you need, or easily order online.
We recommend the course for ages 7+.
Join the thousands who have already signed up and help us to achieve our target of teaching 10k kids to knit!
Article - Home Schooling
Hello Parents: For families that are home schooling or considering home schooling. This Harvard professor explains her 5 reasons why home schooling should be banned. I thought you would enjoy.
Combat Summer Slide with Our Summer Boost
Research suggests kids lose up to 2.6 months of valuable reading and math skills over the summer. Our antidote is Summer Boost, a weekly dose of engaging educational content to keep your child’s brain active all summer!
Combat summer slide with our Summer Boost
Boost Summer Learning
Research suggests kids lose up to 2.6 months of valuable reading and math skills over the summer. Our antidote is Summer Boost, a weekly dose of engaging educational content to keep your child’s brain active all summer!
Help your child practice, play, and prepare for the next grade level. You’re receiving the Summer Boost for kindergarten.
This Week’s Summer Boost
Worksheet: Learn About Transportation
Activity: Color a Mandala – Wheels
Game: Roadblock – Addition Within 20
Worksheet: Traffic Lights Pattern Recognition
June 2020 Stem Education Newsletter
The U.S. Department of Education (ED or the Department) hopes this STEM newsletter will serve as constant source of opportunity, inspiration, and resources…
June 2020 STEM Education Newsletter
STEM Education Updates from the U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (ED or the Department) hopes this STEM newsletter will serve as constant source of opportunity, inspiration, and resources. The Department also maintains resources on its STEM landing page, including funding opportunities and archives of monthly STEM briefings. You can manage your subscription and you are encouraged to invite your colleagues and friends to sign up as well! The Department welcomes your feedback and questions. Please feel free to share them at STEM@ed.gov.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
The White House, the Department, and other federal agencies are continually releasing and updating information to support schools, educators, families, and students regarding COVID-19. In addition to the links below, please visit https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus for the latest education-related information and address questions for the Department to COVID-19@ed.gov.
- Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/Coronavirus, and USA.gov/Coronavirus
- President’s Guidelines for Opening Up America Again
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coronavirus Rumor Control
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Guidelines for Opening America Up Again (covering K-12 schools, child care programs, and day camps)
- Federal Student Aid (FSA)-issued Coronavirus Information for Students, Borrowers, and Parents (updated May 22, 2020)
- Department of Agriculture Extends Flexibilities, Paves Way for Meals for Kids to Continue through Summer
- Call to Action by the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board
- CDC Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education and Stakeholder Call for Institutions of Higher Education
ED News
STEM Briefings Resume: STEM & Distance Education
The STEM briefing series hosted at the Department will resume June 23, 2-3:30 pm ET. Our first webinar will focus on STEM and Distance Education. What are some of the best practices discerned since schools closed? What does the future look like for online PK-12 STEM education? What resources are available to administrators and educators to maximize their impact? Speakers include Nithi Thomas, Partner at Learning Accelerator, Dr. Christine Anne Royce, past president, National Science Teachers Association, and professor of educational technology at Shippensburg University, and Kevin Santer, Michigan Virtual Online Teacher of the Year, Michigan Virtual. You can watch live or the archived session.
Funding Digital Learning
The Department’s Office of Educational Technology (OET) recently updated its Federal Funding for Technology webpage to include references to the CARES Act funding opportunities, as well as ESSA and U.S. Department of Agriculture opportunities, the Broadband Federal Funding Guide, E-Rate, etc. This resource helps school districts understand available funding opportunities.
HERO ELEMENTARY on PBS KIDS
“HERO ELEMENTARY,” a new PBS show produced under an ED Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Ready-to-Learn Television grant, premiered June 1 on PBS and PBS Kids. “HERO ELEMENTARY” is about a school for up-and-coming superheroes, where kids learn to master powers like flying and teleportation while exploring science along the way. A diverse group of super students works together to make the world a better place. The series will give children ages 4 to 7 important tools to help them solve problems by encouraging them to think and act like scientists. A preview episode is available now on YouTube.
STEM Video Showcase
Two of the 11 Department’s grantee video submissions received recognition in the 2020 STEM for All Video Showcase sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Feeling Connected to Others won a Presenter’s Choice Award and Mathematics Reasoning Through Movement won a Facilitators’ Choice Award. We encourage more ED grantees to participate in the 2021 competition. Learn about more about federally-funded STEM projects at the STEM for All Multiplex, which features five years of searchable STEM videos.
Secretary DeVos Approves First Wave of Perkins Career and Technical Education State Plans
The Secretary announced the approval of the first two groups of state career and technical education (CTE) plans by the Department. On May 22, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire were the first to have their CTE plans approved under the new, bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 31, 2018. A week later, Secretary DeVos announced the approval of plans by Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Perkins V encourages states to expand opportunities for every student to access educational opportunities that will put them on the path to success. Each state crafted a plan to fulfill its promise of offering a robust CTE option for students following consultation with its key constituents representing education and the workforce, business and industry, and parents and community partners. Visit the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network for more details.
2020 Presidential Scholars Announced
On May 21, the Secretary acknowledged the 56th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. “It is my privilege to congratulate the Presidential Scholars Class of 2020 on their outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership,” said Secretary DeVos. “These exemplary young people have excelled inside the classroom and out. And, while they are facing unprecedented challenges as they graduate from high school into a world that looks much different than it did just a few months ago, their determination, resilience, and commitment to excellence will serve them well as they pursue their next steps.” The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects the 161 scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. See the complete list of the 161 presidential scholars.
The Family Room
Every Thursday from 3-4 pm ET, Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC), in collaboration with Turning the Page, facilitates educational workshops and discussions to help families connect with each other and break down feelings of separation during this time of unprecedented isolation. These webinars also provide an opportunity to engage with a child psychologist and educational expert about current parenting issues and strategies to address your questions. Examples of partners that MAEC and Turning the Page will engage with during these sessions will include science museum educators, health experts, scientists, early childhood educators, and educational experts who work with diverse families across the country.
Funding Opportunities
IES FY2021 Funding Opens
The Department’s Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) released their FY2021 funding slates. The STEM Request for Applications (RFA) supports research on the improvement of students’ STEM knowledge and skills. The long-term outcome of this research will be an array of tools and strategies (e.g., curricula, programs, assessments) that are documented to be effective for improving or assessing students’ STEM learning and achievement. The Career and Technical Education RFA supports research and the development of tools and strategies (e.g., curricula, assessments), as well as programs (e.g. career academies, career pathways) and policies (e.g., academic credit for CTE coursework; CTE certificates or endorsements at high school graduation) that are documented to be effective for improving learning, and academic and technical attainment in CTE. The Special Education Research Grants program also includes a STEM strand. In addition, there is a new competition for research using National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics Process Data for learners with disabilities. Please refer to the RFA for application deadlines.
Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Grant Program
The purposes of the TQP program are to: improve student achievement; improve the quality of prospective and new teachers by improving the preparation of prospective teachers and enhancing professional development activities for new teachers; hold teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education (IHEs) accountable for preparing teachers who meet applicable State certification and licensure requirements; and, recruit highly qualified individuals, including minorities and individuals from other occupations, into the teaching force. This Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) contains one absolute priority for residency programs and two competitive preference priorities: 1) for Opportunity Zones; and, 2) for new partnership applicants. Applications are due July 2, 2020.
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science (including engineering and computer science) teachers. The current solicitation invites creative and innovative proposals from institutions that address the critical need for recruiting and preparing highly effective elementary and secondary science and mathematics teachers in high-need local educational agencies. Visit their recently updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Applications are due August 25, 2020.
Other Federal Agency News
Celebrate #LaunchAmerica
Even if you missed the first launch of American astronauts on American rockets to the International Space Station from American soil since 2011, you can still celebrate and learn all about the May 30 event! Check out these webinars and resources for some great ideas.
Collegiate Wind Competition Virtual Awards Ceremony June 22
Join the 2020 U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) participants, judges, and organizers for the first-ever CWC virtual awards ceremony held via webinar on Monday, June 22, at 4 p.m. ET. Awards will be given for the project development and turbine design portions of the competition, with remarks by Daniel R. Simmons, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. Register for the ceremony.
Compete for Desalinization Prize – Webinar June 23
The Solar Desalination Prize is a U.S. Department of Energy $9 million competition to speed up the development of systems that can use solar-thermal power to generate clean water from high-salinity water. U.S.-based individuals, teams, academic institutions, nonprofits, and private entities who have ideas for an innovative system with a pathway to its commercialization are encouraged to apply. Get some intel about this work by joining a June 23 webinar “Renewable-Powered Desalination: Innovative DOE Research and Open Funding Opportunities.”
Smithsonian K-12 STEM Education Action Planning Institute (API) July 28-30
The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is holding its first FREE, fully virtual leadership development event this summer, from July 28-30, and will tackle the challenge of ensuring science/STEM education remains a priority in classrooms and communities during COVID-19 and beyond. The API is open to educators, parents, community members, and industry stakeholders dedicated to ensuring continuity in K-12 STEM education for all students. Participating individuals and teams develop an action plan to guide their return to school in the fall. Learn more and register today.
NSF-funded Virtual STEM Experiences
While museums, science centers, zoos and aquaria across the nation have closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, many are bridging the social distance gap by offering a variety of free virtual resources and experiences that you can enjoy from the safety and comfort of your home. Research shows that most learning happens outside the classroom, and NSF has long recognized the importance of these informal settings in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. A comprehensive list of NSF-funded projects with online learning products and resources provides a plethora of experiences.
Libraries Power-Up to Offer Remote Summer Learning Opportunities
The Public Library Association released results of a survey, which concluded that libraries are rapidly adapting services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Several libraries across the country are gearing up to provide summer 2020 programming from a distance, among them:
- Harford County Public Library in Maryland will use funds from a state emergency grant to expand Wi-Fi access beyond its 11 branches.
- Gwinnett County Public Library in Lawrenceville, Georgia, kicked off summer programming in May, allowing summer readers to participate in virtual events, track their reading, and complete fun activities.
- Waupaca Area Public Library in Wisconsin initiated weekday curbside service, is using Little Free Libraries to get books in the hands of families, and is hosting Teen Hangouts and a Teen Lit Club Read-a-Long & Chat.
- The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) encourages readers to “investigate and explore” to prevent summer slide. The DOD’s Military, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library is partnering with iREAD’s Summer Reading in 2020 to inspire readers of all ages to embrace its theme: “Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover!”
New Reports
The Condition of Education 2020
In late May, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released, “The Condition of Education 2020,” a congressionally mandated report to the country on education in America today. The report presents 47 indicators under four areas: pre-primary, elementary, and secondary education (including family characteristics and internet access); postsecondary education; population characteristics and economic outcomes; and international comparisons. In years past, it has also spotlighted several issues of policy interest. For a snapshot of key information, check out the “Executive Summary” and “At a Glance” options.
National Science Board (NSB): Vision 2030
The NSB held 12 listening sessions around the country to hear directly from individuals from some 70 organizations, including colleges, universities, philanthropies, businevirtual STEMsses, and scientific and academic associations, as well as from NSF. The visionary report includes recommendations to ensure the U.S. remain preeminent in innovation and that all Americans have the opportunity to benefit from the Science and Engineering enterprise.
Scaling Out-of-School Time (OST) STEM Programming: A National Scan
Education Northwest recently conducted a national scan of OST STEM programs for the Overdeck Family Foundation. The goal of the scan was to describe the experiences of OST STEM programs that have successfully scaled their efforts and provide insights and recommendation for program leaders and funders seeking to expand OST STEM opportunities in their communities. This infographic provides a nice summary.
The Promise of Adolescence: Opportunities for the Education Sector
Drawing upon recent scientific advances, The Promise of Adolescence: Realizing Opportunity for All Youth (2019), a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), highlights the need for policies and practices that better leverage the developmental opportunities offered by adolescence. This new report examines how the nation’s education system can better support adolescents, and these findings and recommendations are highlighted in this brief.
Family Financial Help
Hello Families: During this time Controlling your Finances is important to keep your families financially healthy. Check out this link for resources.
Get creative with Week 4 of Summer Boost!
Boost learning this summer by getting creative and completing activities as a family.
Get creative with Week 4 of Summer Boost!
Unleash Your Creativity
Boost learning this summer by getting creative and completing activities as a family.
Help your child practice, play, and prepare for the next grade level. You’re receiving the Summer Boost for kindergarten.
View Your Grade PreferenceThis Week’s Summer Boost
Worksheet: Favorite Transportation – Writing Opinions
Game: 2D and 3D Shape Sort – Car
Worksheet: All About Transportation – Air, Water, or Land?
Activity: Design Challenge – Building a Bridge
Worksheet: How to Build a Fort
Worksheet: Fun with Transportation
June COVID-19 Update
We know that in these challenging times many of us are ensuring our voices are heard including joining peaceful protests and sit-ins. According to U.S. Surgeon General VADM Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., “Based on the way the disease spreads…
June COVID-19 Update
We know that in these challenging times many of us are ensuring our voices are heard including joining peaceful protests and sit-ins.
According to U.S. Surgeon General VADM Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., “Based on the way the disease spreads, there is every reason to expect that we will see new clusters and potentially new outbreaks moving forward.” Since the pandemic will not slow down, it is important that while you exercise your First Amendment rights to practice the safety protocols below to mitigate the spread while in large crowds.
Safety Protocols While Protesting
- Always wear a mask
- Social distance at 6 feet
- Avoid shaking hands
- No hugging
- Drink water constantly
- Keep hand sanitizer
- Wear gloves
- Wear goggles/glasses
- Avoid touching your face
If you start to exhibit any of the symptoms related to COVID-19 below, please contact your healthcare provider to request a test.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
My Mask Protects You, Your Mask Protects Me!
The CDC confirmed the wearing of face coverings can mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Cloth face coverings are a necessary step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with everyday preventive actions and maintaining a social distance of 6 feet in public settings.
As commerce starts to open, remember to utilize face masks in public spaces, work, and other settings. There are many ways to create face coverings from materials in your home. U.S. Surgeon General Adams instructs us how to here.
Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. It is important to always remove face coverings correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used face covering.
Visit CDC.gov for additional information.
Tell us how you are doing
We have heard from many of you about your experiences as essential workers. Your courage is admirable. We know there are many more of you on the front lines in several different capacities that continue to work. We still want to hear from you. Please let us know how you are doing by emailing info@parentschallenge.org.
In-person summer camps?
Hello Friend, We’ve been getting a lot of questions since the Governor announced guidance for in-person summer camps. Well, we are pleased to announce we are open and have a very exciting summer music camp lineup for kids and teens!
In-Person Summer Camps?
Hello Friend,
We’ve been getting a lot of questions since the Governor announced guidance for in-person summer camps.
Well, we are pleased to announce we are open and have a very exciting summer music camp lineup for kids and teens!
To best follow the precautionary health and safety guidelines, each session is limited to 8-10 students, and these are already starting to sell out quickly!
So if you or someone you know are interested, please don’t wait to register.
For more information on these camps and registration details, please click here.
Private lessons are also available.
I hope to see you soon at the Conservatory!
Grateful,
Linda
We are ready to help you beat that "COVID-19 Slide" this summer!
The summer “Brain Drain,” also known this year as the “COVID-19 Slide” is a phenomenon that teachers know all too well….
We are ready to help you beat that "COVID-19 Slide" this summer!
Beat the “Covid Slide” this Summer!
The summer “Brain Drain,” also known this year as the “COVID-19 Slide” is a phenomenon that teachers know all too well. Many students return to school in the fall having lost an average of 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in math and reading skills and teachers spend four weeks or more reteaching or reviewing material that students have forgotten over summer break. This year, many parents are even more concerned because of the extended absence from live classroom instruction that their child(ren) experienced due to early school closures. Some education experts predict students will lose as much as 30% of their reading skills when they return to school this fall. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Find out what you can do below, and then contact us to learn more about our Virtual Training options!
Can You Beat This Fighter Pilot?
Meet Colonel Jeff Moore, a retired F-16 fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. LearningRx CEO Kim Hanson, asked Colonel Moore to join her for a few at-home brain training exercises during a recent episode of Train Your Brain Tuesday, challenging him to add, subtract, and multiply a series of 36 numbers in as short a time as possible. He did it in just 35 seconds! Can you beat his time?
Kim is encouraging parents and their kids to complete the same challenge using a standard deck of playing cards. Anyone who films themselves beating Colonel Moore’s impressive speed can submit their video to the LearningRx Facebook Page.
Fun fact! During his time as a pilot, Colonel Moore flew at speeds of up to 1,500 miles per hour while operating under high G-forces and simultaneously processing multiple sources of information at a rapid pace in combat. The skills needed to operate a jet–divided attention, processing speed, and visualization–are just a few of the skills Colonel Moore helped to strengthen as a LearningRx brain trainer!
Exercise for Coronavirus Quarentine Sanity
It’s the newest science-supported motive: exercise boosts physical fitness AND mental fitness. But how much, how intense, how does it change as we age, and the big question: how does it correlate to the current coronavirus epidemic?
In a May publication of Redox Biology, scientists evaluated the impact of exercise on extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD). The article claims that endurance exercise promotes EcSOD in muscles and other vital body tissues. Those fancy terms simply refer to an exercise induced protection against cellular damage and oxidative stress resulting from disease. Which means exercise could protect you from some of the severe and even lethal symptoms of coronavirus.
Keep your child active with Summer Boost!
Research suggests kids lose up to 2.6 months of reading and math skills over the summer. Combat summer slide with our weekly Summer Boost of engaging educational content, sure to keep your child’s brain active all summer!
Keep your child active with Summer Boost!
Avoid Summer Slide
Research suggests kids lose up to 2.6 months of reading and math skills over the summer. Combat summer slide with our weekly Summer Boost of engaging educational content, sure to keep your child’s brain active all summer!
Help your child practice, play, and prepare for the next grade level. You’re receiving the Summer Boost for kindergarten.
Help your child practice, play, and prepare for the next grade level. You’re receiving the Summer Boost for kindergarten.
Story: All About Butterflies: Level C
Worksheet: Make Fun Bug Bracelets
MPI Releases Official Trailer for “A Piece of Cake” Starring Rich Sommer
We are pleased to share with you the trailer for the upcoming MPI Original short A Piece of Cake, starring Rich Sommer (GLOW, Mad Men).
MPI Releases Official Trailer for “A Piece of Cake” Starring Rich Sommer
We are pleased to share with you the trailer for the upcoming MPI Original short A Piece of Cake, starring Rich Sommer (GLOW, Mad Men).
Created by MPI filmmakers Austin and Meredith Bragg, A Piece of Cake follows Jim, a father on a high-stakes journey to secure the banned birthday cake decorations he promised his daughter. In an effort not to break another “daddy promise,” Jim must venture into the underground world of illicit cake decorations where prices are high, smugglers are hardened, and police are on the lookout.
This smart, funny take on government overregulation originated in an MPI Screenwriting Workshop where we worked with the Bragg brothers to develop the script. To prepare for production, the Braggs participated in MPI’s Directing Workshop and Moving Picturecraft Workshop. The film was recently chosen as an official selection by two Oscar-qualifying film festivals–the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival where it was also nominated for Best Narrative Short. A Piece of Cake also received a glowing review last week from Starry Constellation Magazine, who called the film a “must watch.” To learn more about the film, visit APieceofCakeFilm.com.More News: MPI Welcomes New Board Member
We are excited to announce that Virginia Walden Ford has agreed to join MPI’s Board of Directors. Virginia has been involved with MPI for many years serving as an executive producer of the MPI Original film Miss Virginia. Virginia gave extensive input on the script, rough cuts of the film, and the marketing plan. Since its release she has spent countless hours championing Miss Virginia for MPI—from rallying parents across the country at in-person and virtual screenings to speaking at conferences and making local and national media appearances. “I am in awe of the wonderful work being done by MPI, through film, to highlight the spirit of the American people whose voices are often not heard,” said Virginia. “I am so excited to have this opportunity to continue to work with such wonderful and caring people.”Apply Today for Moving Picturecraft
We are currently accepting applications for our fall 2020 cinematography workshop, Moving Picturecraft. Designed for aspiring and working directors of photography (DPs) and directors, attendees receive expert instruction from award-winning members of the American Society of Cinematographers while getting hands-on experience with industry-standard camera and lighting systems. Click here to learn more and apply. Applications are due July 31.Host a Virtual Screening of ‘Miss Virginia’
In the wake of COVID-19, a virtual screening of Miss Virginia is a great way to rally parents, community leaders, and policy makers all from the safety and comfort of home. Contact us today to learn how a virtual screening of Miss Virginia can be a powerful tool to bridge the distance and recharge the conversation.
Updates and Articles
Families: As we begin to transition to summer, I want to share a few articles and other updates with you. I will not continue to provide instructional information during the summer. All of the resources we have provided for the past two months are located on the website under Parents – COVID-19. We will send program updates and other resources regarding COVID-19 as needed.
Updates and Articles
Families: As we begin to transition to summer, I want to share a few articles and other updates with you. I will not continue to provide instructional information during the summer. All of the resources we have provided for the past two months are located on the website under Parents – COVID-19. We will send program updates and other resources regarding COVID-19 as needed.
Please let us know how things are going.
A few reminders:
- Parent/Student Journal – Due May 31st – Password: Spring2020
- Report Cards – Due June 8th – please upload.
- Registration for 2020-2021 will be sent in June
- Focus Groups for Parent Sessions – we will be sending an invite to several of you to help us design next year’s sessions
- Due to COVID-19 – all families will be re-invited to join Parents Challenge for the 2020-2021 school year, regardless of income (unless you do not complete the Parent/Student Journal – no exceptions.)
SACHS Foundation – For African-American student ONLY
We are looking for incoming 8th and 9th graders to join Elevate fka CPA (College Prep Academy) program Sponsored by the Sachs Foundation. If the program is completed by the student all four years they have the potential to receive college scholarships, laptops and other awards. There are monthly required events that the student must attend which includes paid preparatory workshops for the SAT/ACT.
The only requirement is that the student is African American, attends the required programs during the year, and maintain a 3.0 gpa. The link about the Sachs Foundation is below. If you have any questions/concerns, please contact me on my cell 405-412-4467. Feel free to forward this to any family/student who may have interest.
Here is the link:
https://www.sachsfoundation.org/mobile-home.html
Articles/Activities:
Special Needs Students – Great Article
Sticking with Homeschooling – Download Here
For Kids Only – Activities out of Epoch Times – Download Below
Goodreads Newsletter
Looking for the perfect recommendations for your summer reading plans? We asked some of the most popular authors on Goodreads to select books for their readers. See what Margaret Atwood, James McBride, Anne Tyler, Ottessa Moshfegh, John Scalzi, and many more writers are picking just for you!
Goodreads Newsletter
Families: Here’s information on great reading opportunities for students and families.
Beloved Authors Suggest Some Great Summer Reads
Looking for the perfect recommendations for your summer reading plans? We asked some of the most popular authors on Goodreads to select books for their readers. See what Margaret Atwood, James McBride, Anne Tyler, Ottessa Moshfegh, John Scalzi, and many more writers are picking just for you!
Debut Novel Finds Resilience in Reading Jane Austen
When hard times hit, debut author Natalie Jenner turned to rereading Jane Austen for solace. That coping mechanism eventually led to her writing a charming new historical fiction novel, The Jane Austen Society. Jenner talked with Goodreads about the joy of writing and the comfort of reading during a pandemic.
Goodreads’ Top Reviewers Pick the Next ‘It’ Book
The Goodreads community is, of course, exceptional when it comes to finding great books. So, we turned to some of the top book reviewers on the site to ask them to pick the book that will become the season’s “It” read: that breakout hit everyone will soon be discussing. Check out their selections!
Movers & Shakers
From bestsellers to adaptations, these are the books that are trending among your fellow readers.
1. Normal People
by Sally Rooney
2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
by Suzanne Collins
3. All Adults Here
by Emma Straub
4. The Book of Longings
by Sue Monk Kidd
5. Big Summer
by Jennifer Weiner
6. Where the Crawdads Sings
by Delia Owens
7. Untamed
by Glennon Doyle
8. Becoming
by Michelle Obama
9. If It Bleeds
by Stephen King
10. Beach Read
by Emily Henry
Book Ends
It may not feel like it, but time is moving forward. We can prove it: It’s time for our summer reading guide!
Looking for a new spin to an old story? Check out these 13 great mythological retellings.
Don’t miss these 30 new Young Adult debuts readers are raving about!
With a new Hunger Games prequel coming out, we rounded up the most popular YA dystopias of the last decade.
Browse through thousands of book giveaways, including Lisa See’s historical fiction novel, The Island of Sea Women and Mary Beth Keane’s family drama, Ask Again, Yes.
Find even more reading inspiration and author insights on our News & Interviews page.
Libraries Power-Up to Offer Remote Summer Learning Opportunities
The White House, the Department of Education (Department), and other federal agencies continue to release and update a significant amount of guidance to support schools, educators, and families regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Libraries Power-Up to Offer Remote Summer Learning Opportunities
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and CARES Act Information
The White House, the Department of Education (Department), and other federal agencies continue to release and update a significant amount of guidance to support schools, educators, and families regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). The Department maintains and updates its ed.gov/coronavirus page with information for students, families, educators, schools, and institutions of higher education. The President has released his Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, the Environmental Protection Agency offers Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance for school settings.
On March 27, the President signed The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. The CARES Act establishes the $30 billion Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). Secretary DeVos has released the ESF funding in several tranches to distribute emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted; support continued education at America’s colleges and universities; provide emergency education block grants for governors to ensure education continues for student of all ages; support continued education for K-12 students; launch a new grant competition to spark student-centered, agile learning opportunities; and deliver funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), minority-serving institutions, and colleges and universities serving low-income students.
Please email education-related questions to COVID-19@ed.gov.
Secretary Devos and President Trump Honor Teachers
May 4–8, 2020, was National Teacher Appreciation Week. “To all of our outstanding teachers across the country, Happy National #TeacherAppreciationWeek!” Secretary DeVos declared on social media. “This administration is so grateful for all you do to support, encourage and inspire our nation’s students!”
Additionally, in a video, the Secretary said, “While great teachers deserve our gratitude every week, I want to take a few moments to especially celebrate and thank you this week. Thank you for all you do to keep your students learning, engaged, and connected.”
President Trump released his Presidential Message on National Teacher Day, 2020 (May 5), in which he “recognize[d] the countless men and women who dedicate their lives to instilling character, integrity, and knowledge in the hearts and minds of our Nation’s students.” The message concluded, “Teachers help shape the minds of children during their most impressionable years, strengthen and support their communities, and develop the leaders of tomorrow. Today, we pay tribute to these extraordinary and thoughtful men and women and thank them for their compassionate service to their communities and country.”
Secretary DeVos Delivers More Than $6 Billion in Emergency Cash Grants for College Students Impacted by Coronavirus
“What’s best for students is at the center of every decision we make,” Secretary DeVos said as she announced that more than $6 billion in emergency cash grants will be distributed immediately to colleges and universities to provide direct emergency grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. The funding is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, authorized by the CARES Act.
Institutions will be able to use these funds to cover costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. The Department has provided additional information on institution-level funding for students and the Secretary has penned a letter to college and university presidents on this funding allocation.
National Charter Schools Week Celebrates Empowering Students and Parents
May 10-16 was National Charter Schools Week. The President marked the event with a proclamation and Secretary DeVos highlighted several stories on social media of students and families finding the learning environment that works best for them through public charter schools.
President Trump stated, “Every American family should have the right to choose the learning environment that works best for their child. By continuing to support public charter schools and students, we will give power back to families and build a brighter future for all Americans.”
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan visited Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School, which provides education to juveniles in a secure environment, as part of a tour of schools throughout the state in January 2020.
Secretary DeVos Delivers Nearly $1.4 Billion in Additional CARES Act Relief Funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority-Serving Institutions, and Colleges and Universities Serving Low-Income Students
On April 30, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced nearly $1.4 billion in additional funding will be directed to minority-serving institutions, including HBCUs and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, as well as institutions serving low-income students, to help ensure learning continues during the coronavirus national emergency. This funding is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
“This administration is committed to the success of HBCUs, minority-serving institutions, and the students they serve. Each institution is unique and is an important part of this country’s educational fabric,” said DeVos.
Included among the uses for which institutions may spend this funding are to cover the cost of technology associated with a transition to distance education, for grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students, and for faculty and staff trainings.
Office for Civil Rights Releases Webinar and Annual Report
On April 16, 2020, the Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR’s) Center for Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination (OPEN Center) launched a short webinar entitled “OCR 100: An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights Protections in Education.” The webinar introduces the six federal civil rights laws enforced by OCR, gives examples of prohibited discrimination under each, and provides an overview of the complaint process.
OCR announced the release of its Annual Report to the Secretary, the President, and the Congress: Fiscal Years 2017-18 on April 2, 2020. The report summarizes OCR’s compliance and enforcement activities during the first two years of the Trump administration and highlights the many ways in which OCR strives to meet its mission of ensuring equal access to education and promoting education excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.
In January 2020, Secretary Betsy DeVos announced the launch of the OPEN Center, which focuses on proactive compliance with federal civil rights laws. The center, staffed by OCR attorneys, aids and supports schools, educators, families, and students to ensure awareness of the requirements and protections of federal non-discrimination laws.
Parent Training and Information Centers Seeking Grant Applications
The Department issued a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 2020 for Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities—Parent Training and Information Centers and the Parent Information and Training Program. According to the notice, these centers promote the effective education of children with disabilities by “strengthening the role and responsibility of parents and ensuring that families of such children have meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children at school and at home.” Applications are due by June 22, 2020.
Health and Human Services Department Awards $20 Million to Support Families and Providers Combating COVID-19 Pandemic Through Telehealth
On April 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $20 million to increase telehealth access and infrastructure for providers and families to help prevent and respond to COVID-19. The funds will increase capability, capacity, and access to telehealth and distant care services for providers, pregnant women, children, adolescents, and families.
The $20 million includes a total of $15 million that HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau awarded to four recipients to expand telehealth services in four key areas of maternal and child health: pediatric care, maternal health care, state public health systems, and family engagement for children with special health care needs. The grant recipients will provide trainings for families and national family organizations on accessing telehealth, including for routine care and services they are not accustomed to accessing virtually. “The dedicated work of these program recipients will help keep our nation’s families healthy and strong,” said HRSA administrator Tom Engels.
ChildCare.gov Provides Families with State- and Territory-Level Information About Child Care and COVID-19
ChildCare.gov is a national consumer education website, supported by HHS’ Office of Child Care, that is designed to provide families across the country with the child care information they need, including ways to find emergency care. Through its See Your State’s Resources tool, ChildCare.gov connects families directly to resources in their state or territory. ChildCare.gov has also launched a new dedicated COVID-19 Resources and Information webpage for families and child care providers.
“Unconferences” and Student Challenge Promote Distance Learning
The Department’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is taking an innovative approach in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the coming weeks, IES and education technology developers will host a series of free day-long “unconferences” for educators, parents, and students. These events will highlight state-of-the-art approaches to teaching and learning, and sessions will focus on innovative approaches to implementing the interventions in low-resource settings. For registration and more information visit the Inside IES Research blog. All unconferences will be archived on the website.
IES Small Business Innovative Research awardee Future Engineers launched a nationwide challenge for K–12 students to submit entries to “Invent a way to make someone smile or feel appreciated during COVID-19.” Teachers can sign up a class to participate, or students can participate individually.
Stay tuned to the IES Blog for more information and resources from the Department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lexington High School Students Teach Online Classes
Students in a Lexington, Kentucky, high school stepped up to teach their school district’s younger children after schools temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Lexington student had a “lightbulb” moment and shared her idea with several of her friends to offer fun, interactive online classes to the district’s younger students. Since these young women already had previous experience working with children, they felt prepared to take on the role of teachers. Their instruction focuses on such topics as mythology, storytelling, robotics, and science experiments. They also incorporate an exercise bootcamp.
The number of elementary students participating in the lessons quickly grew, and the high school instructors have received much positive feedback from the students and their parents. Organizing this group and being able to add value to the community has been a labor of love for the high school students.
Improving the Listening Experience at Home
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), which aims to raise awareness concerning disorders of speech, hearing, voice, and language. Hearing loss affects nearly 38 million people in the U.S. Some people are born with hearing loss, or it can occur later in life as noise-induced hearing loss or as a natural part of aging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hearing challenges, resulting in turning the volume way up on the television or complaining frequently about people mumbling, may become more obvious as family members spend more time together, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. By practicing good communication skills, family members can take small steps to improve the listening experience for all at home like waiting until you are in the same room to talk with others or facing your communication partner when speaking.
HERO ELEMENTARY to Premiere on PBS KIDS in June
“HERO ELEMENTARY,” a new PBS show produced under a Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Ready-to-Learn Television grant, will premiere June 1 on PBS and PBS Kids. “HERO ELEMENTARY” is about a school for up-and-coming superheroes, where kids learn to master powers like flying and teleportation while exploring science along the way. A diverse group of super students works together to make the world a better place. The series will give children ages 4 to 7 important tools to help them solve problems by encouraging them to think and act like scientists. The new show is being produced by Twin Cities Public Television and Portfolio Entertainment. A preview episode is available now on YouTube.
Libraries Power-Up to Offer Remote Summer Learning Opportunities
The Public Library Association released results of a survey, which concluded that libraries are rapidly adapting services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Several libraries across the country are gearing up to provide summer 2020 programming from a distance, among them:
Gwinnett County Public Library in Lawrenceville, Georgia, kicked off summer programming in May, allowing summer readers to participate in virtual events, track their reading, and complete fun activities.
Waupaca Area Public Library in Wisconsin initiated weekday curbside service, is using Little Free Libraries to get books in the hands of families, and is hosting Teen Hangouts and a Teen Lit Club Read-a-Long & Chat.
Harford County Public Library in Maryland will use funds from a state emergency grant to expand Wi-Fi access beyond its 11 branches before summer begins.
The Department of Defense (DOD) encourages readers to “investigate and explore” to prevent summer slide. The DOD’s Military, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library is partnering with iREAD’s Summer Reading in 2020 to inspire readers of all ages to embrace its theme: “Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover!”
Seven Tips to Improve Communication With Deaf Teenagers
For many deaf teenagers and young adults, their lives were suddenly changed when high schools and colleges finished out the 2020 spring semester online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether staying at home with parents, family members, friends, or a new temporary place, communication can be a challenge for all involved. The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares seven tips to improve communication with deaf teenagers. For example, if space in the home is limited, it will add to everyone’s stress. Try to create a private space in your home for them. Then, respect their privacy. To read all the tips and access other COVID-19 resources, visit NDC’s webpage. You can also receive updates from NDC through their newsletter.
The Family Room Webinar Series
The Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) Collaborative Action for Family Engagement Center, in collaboration with Turning the Page, is presenting The Family Room webinar series. Each Thursday in May, from 3–4 p.m. ET, MAEC will facilitate educational workshops and discussions to help families connect with each other and break down feelings of separation during this time of unprecedented isolation.
Get this week's 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity
Spending only 5 minutes a day learning something new can have a significant impact on children. Education.com worksheets, games, and activities are designed to support learning new skills, building confidence, and fueling creativity.
5 Minutes Count
Spending only 5 minutes a day learning something new can have a significant impact on children. Education.com worksheets, games, and activities are designed to support learning new skills, building confidence, and fueling creativity.
Explore this week’s 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity.
What Happened Next?
Worksheet: Reading & writing
Children practice making inferences and analyzing characters in this creative reading comprehension worksheet.
Dino Fishing: Three-Digit Addition and Finding 100 More
Game: Math
What happens when you add 100 to a three-digit number? Kids practice addition in this fun fishing game.
Design Challenge: Inflate a Balloon
Activity: Engineering
Children use a mixture of everyday ingredients to inflate a balloon in this fun twist on a popular design challenge.
Online Art Classes and Martial Arts
Pikes Peak Artist Collective is offering monthly ONLINE ART LESSONS!
Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Center is offering free online training from now until the end of May.
ONLINE ART CLASSES AND MARTIAL ARTS
Pikes Peak Artist Collective
We are now offering monthly ONLINE ART LESSONS!
Pikes Peak Artist Collective is an art education center for children and adults. We have a variety of local artist and teachers who provide unique perspectives and knowledge in various art mediums. We believe that community inspires creativity and through creative expression we can become a happier and healthier society.
Students receive an art kit delivered to the doorstep. The art kit includes more than enough materials for 4 weekly projects. Each student receives a personalized video email with a video tutorial of the week, and an attached word document with further information. This allows the student and the parents to schedule the lesson when it suits their schedule. The email video software allows students to send reply videos to the teacher to allow for greater interaction.
Cost $100 per month, includes materials
719.875.5200
Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Center
Free on line training from now until the end of May. Start your martial arts journey on line and be ready when we go back into the dojo.
All Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Center is the premier martial arts studio in Colorado Springs. We teach traditional Kenshin Kan and Matsumura Seito Karate and Kobudo under the auspices of Supreme Grand Master Fusei Kise of Okinawa, Japan. The concepts and techniques that we teach and train in are as valid today as they were when they first came into existence. Our curriculum is designed to be practical and functional and yet develop the character traits we all aspire to. This is your opportunity to improve your fitness, concentration, self-confidence and self-defense skills while making new friends and taking your place in the history and lineage of an ancient tradition. Stop in today or give us a call to start your martial arts training!
719.232.1882
COVID-19 Weekly Update
This pandemic has impacted us in ways that we could not have imagined. We now have evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is attacking our children. Our children are a vulnerable population to which careful attention needs to be paid. This update provides insight into how COVID-19 may affect them, and what we can all do to help. Also included in this update is information on social distancing and the use of masks.
COVID-19 WEEKLY UPDATE
This pandemic has impacted us in ways that we could not have imagined. We now have evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is attacking our children. Our children are a vulnerable population to which careful attention needs to be paid. This update provides insight into how COVID-19 may affect them, and what we can all do to help. Also included in this update is information on social distancing and the use of masks.
Children and COVID-19
When infected with COVID-19, children do not present as typically as do infected adults. Their symptoms are more often milder. Children less than 18 years of age have been reported to present with fever, sore throat, headache, cough, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or respiratory distress. Most recently, medical centers across the United States and globally are reporting that children are presenting to hospitals with an illness currently called Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome. Not all affected children have tested positive for the coronavirus, but reports from Europe and several cities in the United States show a definite link. Physicians are considering this as a delayed immune response in children to the virus. However, more investigations and studies are needed to define the syndrome’s cause as more and more cases are being identified.
The most common symptoms associated with Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome are:
- Rash
- Red eyes
- Bright red tongue
- High fever
- Abdominal pain with or without vomiting and diarrhea
- Shock with very low blood pressure
- Poor function of kidneys and heart
Though there have been several deaths in children associated with this group of symptoms, the majority of affected children do well following treatment in a hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be issuing guidance to physicians and health care providers on recognizing this syndrome and reporting identified cases.
Some COVID-19 symptoms in children are so mild that the disease is missed, which means children can have the disease, not be diagnosed, and play a role in the transmission of disease to others. For this reason, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children two years old and older wear face masks when in public. For younger children, it is important to let them help design their masks or use the fabric of a favorite character to encourage them to be cooperative. Face masks should not be worn by children less than two years old because the mask may cause suffocation due to the small size of the younger children’s airway. Young children can be taught to wash their hands even if it requires making a game out of it with small rewards for successful participation.
It is extremely important that we are vigilant about the impact of COVID-19 on our children as more is learned from physicians and health scientists.
Need help explaining COVID-19 to your child? Click here: n.pr/2SYzMAg for a free children’s book written by a pediatrician about this coronavirus.
Why Everyone Should Continue to Practice Social Distancing and Use Face Coverings
As communities begin to open commercial businesses, retail outlets, and other industries and venues, it is important to continue to mitigate the spread of this novel coronavirus by NOT engaging in risky behavior and continuing to practice social distancing measures. Numerous video images and news accounts show that the relaxing of stay-at-home orders have increased social engagement without masks being worn or reduced efforts to engage in physical distancing. Data is proving that:
- Social distancing works to mitigate the spread of this virus;
- The CDC has confirmed that the use of face masks protects you and others;
- New information is being gathered day by day about the virus itself, its spread, and its impact on our bodies, which means we need to continue our vigilance;
- Communities of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 (See chart below).


Have a Book Idea?
Want to become a PUBLISHED AUTHOR…..it runs for a week and at the end of the week your book is submited to the company to print and publish your book. Very cool! It is virtual, for now. The cost is 149.00 for the week. Grades 3-5, 6-8. 9-12.
Weekly sessions starting June 15 or 22 online and maybe live in July.
May 2020 STEM Education Newsletter
Families: I realize this newsletter contains lots of information that may or may not be of interest. I also realize it is important that we send you all the information we receive and not make assumptions to what you need and want to be exposed or informed about. There are some interesting student opportunities at the bottom of the newsletter that may be of interest to you. Have a fantastic week.
MAY 2020 STEM EDUCATION NEWSLETTER
Families: I realize this newsletter contains lots of information that may or may not be of interest. I also realize it is important that we send you all the information we receive and not make assumptions to what you need and want to be exposed or informed about. There are some interesting student opportunities at the bottom of the newsletter that may be of interest to you.
Have a fantastic week.
STEM Education Updates from the U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (ED or the Department) hopes this STEM newsletter will serve as constant source of opportunity, inspiration, and resources. The Department also maintains resources on its STEM landing page, including funding opportunities and archives of monthly STEM briefings. You can manage your subscription and you are encouraged to invite your colleagues and friends to sign up as well! The Department welcomes your feedback and questions. Please feel free to share them at STEM@ed.gov.
Table of Contents
- Good News Stories
- Coronavirus Updates
- Open ED Grant Opportunities
- ED News
- Federal Agency Updates
- New Reports
- Student Opportunities
Good News Stories
Teachers, Students. Parents Unite as PPE Makers
Known as “The Shield Team 2020,” a group of energized yet distant teachers, students and parents joined forces to create Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) face shields for those on the front lines battling COVID-19. The team has expanded to 27 states, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, producing over 30 thousand shields to date by hand with and without 3D printers and 3-hole punched plastic sheets. To learn more go here mrscottbot.org or #theshieldteam2020 on Twitter.
Shout Out to Teachers
May 4–8, 2020, was National Teacher Appreciation Week. “To all of our outstanding teachers across the country, Happy National #TeacherAppreciationWeek!” Secretary DeVos declared on social media. “This administration is so grateful for all you do to support, encourage and inspire our nation’s students!” Additionally, in a video, the Secretary said, “While great teachers deserve our gratitude every week, I want to take a few moments to especially celebrate and thank you this week. Thank you for all you do to keep your students learning, engaged, and connected.”
(See announcement below for the inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award awardees!)
A few examples of thanks to our STEM teachers: NASA STEM Education posted a thank you video; NSF posted Presidential Awardees messages; and 100Kin10 issued a Love Letter to teachers.
And President Trump released his Presidential Message on National Teacher Day, 2020 (May 5), in which he “recognize[d] the countless men and women who dedicate their lives to instilling character, integrity, and knowledge in the hearts and minds of our Nation’s students.” The message concluded, “Teachers help shape the minds of children during their most impressionable years, strengthen and support their communities, and develop the leaders of tomorrow. Today, we pay tribute to these extraordinary and thoughtful men and women and thank them for their compassionate service to their communities and country.”
Coronavirus Updates
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and CARES Act Information
The White House, the Department of Education, and other federal agencies continue to release and update a significant amount of guidance to support schools, educators, and families regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The Department maintains and updates its ed.gov/coronavirus page with information for students, families, educators, schools and institutions of higher education. The federal government provides information on Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/coronavirus, and USA.gov/coronavirus. The President has released his Guidelines for Opening Up America Again and EPA offers Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes.
On March 27, the President signed The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. The CARES Act establishes the $30 billion Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). Secretary DeVos has released the ESF funding in several tranches to distribute emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted; support continued education at America’s colleges and universities; provide emergency education block grants for governors to ensure education continues for student of all ages; support continued education for K-12 students; launch a new grant competition to spark student-centered, agile learning opportunities; and deliver funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), minority-serving institutions, and colleges and universities serving low-income students.
Please direct education-related questions to COVID-19@ed.gov.
Continuity of Learning Resources
The Comprehensive Center Network published a set of learning resource collections, including resources for school leaders, LEAs, SEAs, offline use, educators, families and others.
Equity Assistance Centers
The Department’s Equity Assistance Centers (EAC) have created a variety of resources to provide support in creating equitable education opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis. These include a facilitated discussion with students on how COVID-19 is affecting their educational experiences, webinars for equitable practices in online learning, ideas on how to ensure equity in distance learning opportunities, and advice from teachers and principals on how to navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
Evidence-Based Remote Teaching & Learning Resources
The Institute of Education Sciences’ Regional Educational Lab (REL) Working Group on COVID-19 Response just released a new webpage that features evidence-based resources and guidance about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. It also includes registration information for upcoming REL webinars. Subscribe to their Newsflash to stay up to date.
Charter School Resource Center for COVID-19
The National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC) has created a webpage of resources to support Charter School Programs (CSP) grantees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources include available federal guidance as well as links to share how other grantees are supporting schools, students, and families during COVID-19.
Continuity of Learning Resources
The Comprehensive Center Network published four new continuity of learning resource collections last week, including resources for offline use, resources for online use, resources for educators, and resources for families.
Equity Assistance Centers The Department’s Equity
Assistance Centers (EAC) have created a variety of resources to provide support in creating equitable education opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis. These include a facilitated discussion with students on how COVID-19 is affecting their educational experiences, webinars for equitable practices in online learning, ideas on how to ensure equity in distance learning opportunities, and advice from teachers and principals on how to navigate the COVID-19 crisis.
Evidence-Based Remote Teaching & Learning Resources
The Cross- Regional Education Lab (REL) Working Group on COVID-19 Response just released a new webpage that features evidence-based resources and guidance about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic. It also includes registration information for upcoming REL webinars. Subscribe to their Newsflash to stay up to date.
Charter School Resource Center for COVID-19
The National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC) has created a webpage of resources to support Charter School Programs (CSP) grantees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources include available federal guidance as well as links to share how other grantees are supporting schools, students, and families during COVID-19.
Open ED Grant Opportunities
Migrant Education Program Consortium Incentive Grant (MEP-CIG) Program
The purpose of the MEP CIG program is to provide incentive grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) that participate in a consortium with one or more other SEAs or other appropriate entities to improve the delivery of services to migratory children whose education is interrupted. The application deadline has been extended to May 27, 2020.
Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP)
The MSAP provides grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) and consortia of LEAs to support magnet schools under an approved, required, or voluntary desegregation plan. Through the implementation of high-demand programming, using sophisticated technology and curricula, magnet schools have often served as a conduit for innovative, theme-based instruction. For example, 61 percent of the 145 schools currently supported by MSAP grants include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) themes in their programming, which aligns with the Secretary’s Supplemental Priority 6, Promoting STEM Education. The application deadline may be extended to June 25, 2020.
Ready to Learn (RTL) Programming
The purpose of RTL programming is to promote school readiness through the development and dissemination of accessible instructional programming for preschool and elementary school children and their families. This grant contains an invitational priority for, in part, exposing children to future career and workforce options. The application deadline has been extended to June 15, 2020.
Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED)
The new SEED grant competition provides funding to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators. These grants will allow eligible entities to develop, expand, and evaluate practices that can serve as models to be sustained and disseminated. It contains a STEM competitive priority. A series of pre-application webinars designed to provide technical assistance are available at online. The deadline for applications is June 12, 2020.
Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Mid-Phase Grant
This EIR grant provides funding to create, develop, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students; and rigorously evaluate such innovations. The Department estimates it will issue 16-20 awards totaling approximately $178.6 million. There is an Absolute Priority that focuses on STEM and computer science. The application package is due June 15, 2020.
Expanding Access to Well-Rounded Courses Demonstration Grants
This new Title IVA demonstration grant is open to state education agencies to help expand student access to well-rounded courses. There is considerable evidence that students across the country lack access to a variety of course offerings, particularly those related to the arts, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science; career and technical education; and advanced level coursework. The Department anticipates issuing 2-4 awards totaling approximately $6.5 million. The application package is due June 26, 2020.
Competitive Grants for State Assessments
This federal register notice announces a new grant for state education agencies to develop, evaluate and implement innovative assessments. The Department anticipates issuing 3-6 awards totaling approximately $12.3 million. There are 3 absolute priorities including implementing, planning and developing innovative assessment item types and design approaches for summative assessments in language arts, mathematics or science. Section 1201 of ESSA allows states to use these funds to embed engineering into their science assessments. The application package is due June 30, 2020.
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) FY2021 Grants
This federal register notice announces four Education Research grants and four Special Education Research grants, each include STEM as an area of interest. The application packages will be made available June 11, 2020 and the deadlines are August 20, 2020.
New Applicant Information Resources
The Department recently published new applicant information resources. These resources were developed to (1) provide an overview of the discretionary (or competitive) grants application process at the Department and (2) are intended to be used by prospective applicants, including new potential grantees, for the Department’s discretionary grant programs that have never received a grant from the Department and those that are interested in learning more about the process. Additionally, they support one of the Secretary’s new administrative priorities on New Potential Grantees that was published in March 2020. Funding Basics 101 and Funding 101 can be found on the ED’s Grants webpage under the “Other Grant Information” section. One version provides basic information while the other provides a bit more detail for those who need it.
Call for Peer Reviewers
The Department is seeking peer reviewers for our Fiscal Year 2020 competitive/discretionary grant season, including in the STEM/CS areas (among others). You can read our Federal Register notice which spotlights the specific needs of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Learn how to be considered as a peer reviewer.
ED News
Secretary DeVos Honors Two Educators with Inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award
Secretary DeVos announced on May 11, 2020 that Donna Woods and Kara Four Bear have been selected as the inaugural Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award awardees. This award recognizes Ms. Woods, of Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, California, and Ms. Four Bear, of New Town Middle School in New Town, North Dakota, for instilling in their students the skills, knowledge, and passion for cybersecurity. They were selected based on their demonstration of superior educator accomplishment, academic achievement indicators, and leadership contributing to educational excellence in the area of cybersecurity. This award was established on May 2, 2019, by President Trump’s Executive Order on America’s Cybersecurity Workforce. The U.S. Department of Education was charged in creating this award within one year and in consultation with the Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism at the National Security Council and the National Science Foundation. The 2021 nomination process will be announced later this year.
ED Featured in National Science Foundation INCLUDES Blog
The Department was recently featured in the NSF INCLUDES national network blog series. The post highlights the Departments efforts to broaden participation in STEM education and careers. The NSF INCLUDES Network is composed of over 1,000 members—representing various types of institutions, professional associations, funders, and businesses who are committed to broadening participation in STEM—who participate in the Network to learn about and share best practices, strengthen their capacity and that of others, and advance the national movement to achieve equitable access to STEM education and career opportunities. Anyone interested in improving diversity and inclusion in STEM can learn more by going to the NSF INCLUDES National Network website.
Office of Educational Technology Launches New Blog Series
In response to school closures, the Keep Calm and Connect All Students blog series will share reflection questions, highlight promising solutions, and describe effective practices to support remote learning measures. Each week will focus on a new theme geared toward families, learners, educators, and system leaders.
Input Sought for Digital Learning Guides
The Department’s Office of Educational Technology plans to release digital learning guides for parents, educators, and school/district leaders, highlighting examples and promising practices when using technology for remote learning. As the guides take shape, the Department would like to hear from stakeholders by May 22, 2020 to share immediate and long-term needs, as well as successes and challenges in digital learning. Please share your stories, examples and questions by emailing tech@ed.gov and designate the specific guide in the subject line (i.e., Parent or Teacher or Leader).
Free Online Professional Learning and STEM Content for Out of School Learning and 21st Century Community Learning Centers
The Department’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Technical Assistance website “You for Youth” was designed for out of school educators — and the courses are free to the public, including classroom educators, parents and other caregivers. With fifteen course topics ranging from STEM, Citizen Science, Project-Based Learning and Family Engagement, there’s something for everyone. In addition, the Department is collaborating with other federal agencies [the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Park Service (NPS)] to provide exciting STEM learning opportunities for students in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) programs.
Science is Cool Virtual Unconference (Part 2) May 21, 2020
Remote Control: get a handle on distance STEM learning
Nearly 3,000 educators registered for the first Science is Cool (ScIC) Virtual Unconference to hear from 10 different organizations on how to keep making science cool in the classroom, so they are hosting another event. Join second Unconference presenters for practical advice that you can use in your digital classroom or at home.
Announcing New T4PA Technical Assistance Center
The Title IV Part A Technical Assistance Center (T4PA Center) provides state education agencies (SEAs) with dedicated support for implementing the Title IV Part A, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program. The T4PA Center provides SSAE state coordinators assistance across the program’s diverse content areas, including promoting a well-rounded education (including STEM), improving the safety and health of students, and supporting the effective use of technology. In partnership with ED, the T4PA Center works with state coordinators to identify grant implementation needs, develop a tailored plan to address these needs, and broker support to build capacity at the state and local levels to help ensure Title IV-A programmatic success.
Reinvent ED.gov Challenge
The Department is seeking proposals for the redesign of ED.gov. The winning proposal(s) will incorporate accessible content for desktop, mobile, and tablet users; integrated social media, RSS feeds, and subscription services; an elegant, clean, user-centered look and feel; strong, consistent agency branding; new and innovative tools that enhance user experience; and engaging and easy-to-navigate pages. The design must use the agency’s existing color scheme and seal and be in compliance with all federal standards. The Department is offering a prize of up to $50,000 for the winning design. Highly rated participants may be invited to present their prototype to a panel of subject matter experts, and designers will have an opportunity to compete for the concept implementation contract. The deadline for submissions is June 15.
Federal Agency Updates
National Institutes of Health – STEM Learning Resources
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers free PK-12 STEM virtual learning resources via the Science Education Partnership Award program, including apps, interactives, and curricula. Pathways, a collaboration between NIGMS and Scholastic, provides a student magazine, lesson plans, activities, and videos about basic science and research careers. NIGMS also has additional science education resources, ranging from articles and fact sheets to images and videos. You can learn more by going on Twitter and Facebook.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Virtual Mentoring and Training
Offices around the country may be closed to the Coronavirus pandemic, but SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and other resource partners are providing free business mentoring and training, which includes STEM professions, by phone, email, and video. Find an SBA resource partner near you.
Patents 4 Partnerships
The U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) launched a new Intellectual Property marketplace platform, Patents 4 Partnerships, which is a centralized, searchable database of patent and published patent applications from federal agencies, universities, and private industry, which have been voluntarily indicated as “available for licensing” by the patent owners. The initial focus is on technologies related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19, including, for example, PPE, disinfectants, ventilators, testing equipment, and components thereof. The goal is to bring together those who have technologies and want to make them available for licensing and those who have an interest in and the ability to commercialize the technologies. Send questions or comments to IPMarketplace@uspto.gov.
NSF INCLUDES Planning Grants
These grants support planning efforts necessary to build capacity to establish future centers, alliances, or other large-scale networks endeavoring to address a broadening participation challenge in STEM at scale. A pre-recorded informational webinar provides greater detail. Applications are due July 13, 2020.
NPS/NASA Junior Ranger
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, NASA partnered with NPS to develop three Junior Ranger Space Tech Explorer activities. The activities explore what NASA and our national parks have in common and how space technology benefits your life, parks, and the planet. Written for students ages 5 to 12 and perfect for your next park or backyard adventure, you can download and print the free Junior Ranger Spaceflight Explorer guide.
New Reports
Do CTE Students Pursue Postsecondary Occupational Education?
The Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Data Point examined postsecondary education enrollment rates overall and in occupational areas of study, among 2013 public high school graduates as of 2016. One finding is that, “after enrolling in postsecondary education, about three-quarters of CTE concentrators pursued an occupational field of study, but only about one-quarter were in a field aligned with their area of CTE concentration in high school.” Follow NCES on Twitter @EdNCES.
Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine
The National Academies Press released a report last month recommending actions to address “entrenched patterns” of women being underrepresented across STEM disciplines and in leadership roles within fields. Although the report notes federal science agencies and other research organizations have made progress in addressing disparities, it calls on them to play a stronger role in catalyzing “culture change,” such as by formally auditing grantee diversity practices and modifying grant review criteria.
Broadening Participation in STEM
The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub team released its first research brief called Evidence-based Strategies for Improving Equity and Inclusion of Individuals in Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups. The brief explores promising practices for broadening participation among racial/ethnic minorities in STEM and features numerous evidence-based strategies.
Study Finds that STEM College Students are Learning Just as Well in Online Courses as in Classrooms
According to a new study by Cornell University, STEM college students learn just as much in online classes as they normally do in traditional brick-and-mortar ones. Researchers of the study divided 325 students into three different classroom styles for two courses: a fully online class; an in-person course at their local university; and, a blended version combining both. The research article, Online Education Platforms Scale College STEM Instruction with Equivalent Outcomes at Lower Cost, was published April 8, 2020 in Science Advances.
Student Opportunities
Kids Zone
The NCES Kids’ Zone provides information to help you learn about schools; decide on a college; engage in several games, quizzes, and skill building about math, probability, graphing, and mathematicians; and to learn many interesting facts about education. Watch this Kids’ Zone video to find out more!Army Education Outreach Program (AEOP)
AEOP offers our nation’s youth and teachers opportunities for meaningful, real-world STEM experiences, competitions, and paid internships alongside Army researchers. From elementary school through graduate school, students of all proficiency levels, interests, social and economic backgrounds are encouraged to participate in real-world STEM experiences while also engaging with Army-sponsored mentors. AEOP-sponsored eCYBERMISSION is a web-based STEM competition for students in grades six through nine that enables all students to recognize the real-life applications of STEM. Students compete for State, Regional, and National Awards. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the competition. Whether you are a student, Team Advisor, or volunteer, you can register now for the eCYBERMISSION 2019-2020.
COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself?
The Smithsonian Science Education Center released a free guide for youth called, “COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?” The goal of this 7-lesson module is to help youth engage directly in hands-on activities that they can do at home with simple materials to help them understand the underlying science (and social science) of COVID-19, with emotional support prompts throughout.
National K-12 Student Challenge
IES awardee Future Engineers launched a nation-wide challenge for K-12 students to submit entries to “invent a way to make someone smile or feel appreciated during COVID19.” Teachers or individual students can sign up to participate.
Disclaimer: The contents of this STEM Newsletter was developed for the benefit of the reader and contains various informational resources. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities in this Newsletter. The contents of this Newsletter may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. This information is provided as a convenience. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this Newsletter does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department, nor does it reflect its importance. This publication is not intended to represent or be an endorsement by any Federal agency or department, or the U.S. Government of any views expressed, or materials provided, or links to information contained therein.
Welcome to Summer Boost!
Parents: I believe schools are winding down the virtual instruction this week. At home instruction needs to continue to make sure our scholars stay sharp and prepared for the next grade. Please check out the many resources you have been provided over the past eight (8) weeks. Some are grade specific, but many cover K-12 instruction.
WELCOME TO SUMMER BOOST
Parents: I believe schools are winding down the virtual instruction this week. At home instruction needs to continue to make sure our scholars stay sharp and prepared for the next grade. Please check out the many resources you have been provided over the past eight (8) weeks. Some are grade specific, but many cover K-12 instruction.
The libraries, YMCA’s, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other camp opportunities will be reopening soon. Many of these facilities will have limited access, search now for those programs that will enhance your scholars summer activities. Also, consider other activities that can be done in your apartments, homes, backyards and parks. Creativity is extremely important.
Those that are needing tutoring services, please reach out to Lori Bitar, Academic Advocates and Steve and Sheila Shapiro, Learning Connections. Contact Judy Hanke, Mindbuilders for brain training options, see handout on summer activities.
Stay connected and let us know about resources you are aware of that may be of value to others. Let us know what resources you are in need of. If you are in need of food, please go to Care and Share website, also check with churches that food pantry’s. If you are in need of other services such as rent, utilities, childcare contact United Way for assistance.
Summer Boost Starts Today
Research suggests kids lose up to 2.6 months of valuable reading and math skills over the summer. Our antidote is Summer Boost, a weekly dose of engaging educational content to keep your child’s brain active all summer!
Help your child practice, play, and prepare for the next grade level. You’re receiving the Summer Boost for kindergarten.
This week’s Summer Boost
Worksheet: Counting for Kids #3
Worksheet: Measuring Bug – Inches
Activity: Bug Mobile
Story: All About Spiders
Worksheet: Insect Flashcards
Worksheet: Jump Into Writing – Write a Bug Story
Worksheet: Say Short Vowels
Game: Gus the Bug Quiz
In-person support groups restart — at NAMI office
IN-PERSON SUPPORT GROUPS RESTART — AT NAMI OFFICE
As participation in virtual support groups fell during the past couple of weeks, we checked in with some long-timers. And we heard that many have missed the kind of connection that happens when we gather in a room together.
So with guidance from El Paso County Public Health, and while taking every necessary safety precaution, NAMI Colorado Springs is reintroducing in-person support groups at its 1615 S. Murray Blvd. office.
Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m.: Basics Support Group
For parents & caregivers of children & teens who are experiencing mental health issues
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.: Connection Support Group
For adults living with mental illness
Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.: Family Support Group
For family members of adults living with mental illness
The in-person Basics and Connection offerings will replace the virtual groups we’ve been running on those nights. On Wednesdays, we will continue to offer a virtual Family Support Group — now from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
(You can check our website homepage to see all of this in calendar format.)
If you’ve attended our in-person support groups before, you’ll want to note some changes. First, YOU MUST REGISTER AHEAD of time. This will allow us to limit the group to eight participants (plus two facilitators), ensuring participant safety and compliance with county guidelines. Drop-ins will not be allowed to join. To register, please call 719.473.8477 or email programs and volunteer manager Lynn Shull by noon on the day of the group.
Also, we will observe the following protocols:
- physical distancing of six feet or more;
- the wearing of masks inside the NAMI office;
- and sending people home if they are showing symptoms of illness.
More detail is available on the Connection group here and the Basics and Family support groups here.
We do expect these groups to fill, so if you’ve been waiting to join an in-person group, please don’t hesitate to call or email Lynn. Hope to see you soon!
Library reopening - At Home Art Show
PPLD Kids at Home Art Show
Hello Families: Several of the PPLD’s are providing curbside pick-up. If you are in need of books, video’s, tapes, etc. contact the library and see how you can request curbside pick-up. Check out the services they are providing.
We are excited to announce that the PPLD Kids at Home Art Show is now live!
Click here to view the exhibit.
Want to be a part of the art show? All students grades K-12 in El Paso County are invited to participate.
Any type of art – paintings, sketches, sculptures, photographs, fiber works, you name it – will be accepted. Go to this link to submit your artwork.
To participate, upload your artwork by Sun., May 31, 2020.
Inspired by the Homeschool Art Show hosted at East Library every April, this virtual exhibition invites all students across Pikes Peak Library District to participate. Let’s work together to celebrate community and creativity!
Math Support
Families: If your scholars are struggling with algebra, geometry, chemistry. Check out this NYC 16 year-old student that is tutoring online. Great way to get resources to support your scholars who need math support.
Get this week's 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity
5 Minutes Count
Spending only 5 minutes a day learning something new can have a significant impact on children. Education.com worksheets, games, and activities are designed to support learning new skills, building confidence, and fueling creativity.
Explore this week’s 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity.
5 MINUTES COUNT
Spending only 5 minutes a day learning something new can have a significant impact on children. Education.com worksheets, games, and activities are designed to support learning new skills, building confidence, and fueling creativity.
Explore this week’s 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity.
Heavy or Light: Measuring Weight
Worksheet: Math
Get children thinking about measurement and comparisons as they identify which of each pair of objects is heaviest.
Spelling Multi-Syllable Words: Floyd Danger
Game: Reading & Writing
In this adventure game, players use their spelling skills to help a hero solve a quest!
Building Brick Challenge: Make a Face
Activity: Engineering
In this design thinking challenge, your child will use building bricks to create a funny face.
Resources for You
Hello Families:
Great article that focuses on the importance of Educational Freedom.
https://projectforeverfree.org/stop-trying-to-take-away-options-from-parents-like-mine/
Also, many of you were not able to attend the last virtual session and therefore did not receive the great resources to avoid the “Summertime Slump” developed by Judy Hanke. It is attached.
Stay safe and healthy.
Episode 6 of "Train Your Brain Tuesday" is Live!
With many states starting to open, please continue social distancing and shelter in place for their health and the safety of others. Wear masks or face coverings when in public and wash your hands frequently to continue to flatten the curve in your community
Episode 6 of "Train Your Brain Tuesday" is LIVE!
Happy Tuesday! Episode 6 of “Train Your Brain Tuesday” is LIVE and this week, LearningRx CEO Kim Hanson joins a virtual classroom of 5th and 6th graders to demonstrate brain training games! With school wrapping-up for many families across the country, these brain training exercises provide fun and educational breaks that your kids may to fill time over summer break. We know that many families are still feeling the stress from COVID-19, so we are happy to provide these free activities if and when your child(ren) or you need a little extra brain boost!
In this week’s episode, Kim demonstrates brain training exercises that strengthen skills like attention, processing speed, working memory, long term memory, and visual processing; all vital for every day learning. Head to our website to download the free materials needed for the video if you want to follow along!
COVID-19 WEEKLY UPDATE
With many states starting to open, please continue social distancing and shelter in place for their health and the safety of others. Wear masks or face coverings when in public and wash your hands frequently to continue to flatten the curve in your community.
COVID-19 WEEKLY UPDATE
With many states starting to open, please continue social distancing and shelter in place for their health and the safety of others. Wear masks or face coverings when in public and wash your hands frequently to continue to flatten the curve in your community. Please continue to visit CDC.gov for current information and strategies for mitigating the virus at home, in the workplace, and while out in the community.
Symptoms of the Coronavirus
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
Watch for Symptoms
People infected with COVID-19 have presented with a wide array of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness that often appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
The effects of COVID-19 on the health of racial and ethnic minority groups are still emerging; however, current data suggest a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups.
A recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) included race and ethnicity data from 580 patients hospitalized with lab-confirmed COVID-19 found that 45% of individuals for whom race or ethnicity data was available were white, compared to 55% of individuals in the surrounding community. However, 33% of hospitalized patients were black compared to 18% in the community, and 8% were Hispanic compared to 14% in the community. These data suggest an overrepresentation of blacks among hospitalized patients.
Among COVID-19 deaths for which race and ethnicity data were available, New York City identified death rates among black/African American people (92.3 deaths per 100,000 population) and Hispanic/Latino people (74.3) that were substantially higher than that of white (45.2) or Asian (34.5) people. Studies are underway to confirm these data and understand and potentially reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the health of racial and ethnic minorities.
American Heart Association and the Coronavirus Disease
There is a risk for those with heart disease and high blood pressure in correlation to the coronavirus disease. The American Heart Association provides a variety of guidance related to heart health and gives valuable tips on maintaining your immune system, healthy eating habits, exercise, and counseling. The following link supplies details and facts to help you navigate heart health during these unprecedented times: heart.org/en/news/coronavirus-news.
CVS – COVID-19 Testing
CVS Health has expanded access to rapid COVID-19 testing in partnership with the following state governments: Georgia, Michigan, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Additional sites are coming, for more information visit: cvshealth.com/covid-19/testing-information-locations.Let Us Know How You Are Doing
We have heard from several of you that you are serving as essential workers. Your courage is admirable. We know there are many more of you on the front lines in several different capacities that continue to work. Please let us know how you are doing.
Weekly Practice for your Second Grader
Happy Mother’s Day!
We hope you enjoy the day and take a moment to treat yourself. And, as always, to help support at-home learning… we are providing access to Weekly Boost, educator-curated worksheets, activities, and more aligned to the school year.
WEEKLY PRACTICE FOR YOUR SECOND GRADER (Week 2)
FREE WEEKLY BOOST RESOURCES
To help support at-home learning, we are providing access to Weekly Boost, educator-curated worksheets, activities, and more aligned to the school year.Math
Lesson Plan: Building My Math Fluency
Math
Lesson Plan: Thinking About Three-Digit Numbers
Reading
Lesson Plan: Fact or Opinion
Reading
Lesson Plan: Fact or Opinion (Part 1)
Writing
Worksheet: Cursive Handwriting: “A” is for Alligator
Writing
Worksheet: Cursive Handwriting: “B” is for Bear
Word Study
Game: Word Transporter: Adjectives and Nouns
Word Study
Activity: Hop on Those Spelling Words!
Teen Scene: May 2020
Pikes Peak Library District will take a phased reopening approach for our 16 facilities that prioritizes the health and safety of our patrons and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how you can use the Library remotely, including access to digital resources and virtual programs.
TEEN SCENE: MAY 2020
Families: Libraries may be reopening soon. Go to ppld.org to find out more. Here are a few articles from students about how they are handling the pandemic.
Pikes Peak Library District
Teen Scene: May 2020
Pikes Peak Library District will take a phased reopening approach for our 16 facilities that prioritizes the health and safety of our patrons and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how you can use the Library remotely, including access to digital resources and virtual programs.
Tigers, Not Daughters
by Samantha Mabry
Starring: Jessica, Iridian, and Rosa Torres, three sisters who feel trapped not only by their controlling father and their old San Antonio neighborhood, but also by the restless spirit of their older sister Ana, who died a year ago.
Why you might like it: Told from multiple perspectives, Tigers, Not Daughters offers a moving, unsettling, and quietly otherworldly portrait of grief and sisterhood.
For fans of: the haunting magical realism and complex Latinx characters in Anna-Marie McLemore’s books.
Dragon Hoops
by Gene Luen Yang
What it’s about: Graphic novelist and self-proclaimed comic book geek Gene Luen Yang delves into sports, history, and memoir in an illustrated account of the year he spent with the Dragons, a diverse high school basketball team striving to become state champions.
Art alert: With clean lines and vivid colors, Yang’s artwork emphasizes the humor, exhilarating sports action, and true-to-life details in this unconventional nonfiction read.
For fans of: the gripping documentary style of Netflix’s Cheer.
Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book?
by Ally Carter
What it is: an honest, easy-to-read guide for aspiring writers that covers the entire process of writing a book, from outlining to editing to publishing.
Featuring: tried-and-true advice from popular author Ally Carter, as well as cameos from David Levithan, Marie Lu, and Holly Black (to name just a few).
Is it for you? If you’ve ever struggled through NaNoWriMo or gone to an author event just so you could ask for writing tips, this book is for you.
500 Words or Less
by Juleah Del Rosario
What it’s about: After everyone at school finds out that Nic Chen hooked up with her boyfriend’s best friend, Nic tries to rebuild her reputation by writing college admissions essays for her classmates. It’s easy enough to write about other people…but is she losing herself in the process?
Why you might like it: Written in a spare, reflective style, this story-in-verse gives you insight not just into Nic’s life, but also into the lives of everyone she writes for.
How I Discovered Poetry
by Marilyn Nelson
What it is: a collection of 50 autobiographical sonnets describing poet Marilyn Nelson’s experiences growing up black in 1950s America, including her family’s frequent moves (her father was an Air Force officer) and her realization that “there’s a poet behind my face.”
Who it’s for: those who find comfort in words, as well as those who see themselves in Nelson’s search for her own authentic voice.
Final Draft
by Riley Redgate
What it’s about: High school senior Laila is obsessed with watching, reading, and writing science fiction. When her hyper-critical new writing teacher says that her writing won’t improve unless she gains some real-life experiences, Laila discovers that reality can be just as thrilling — and just as heartbreaking — as fiction.
Read it for: an inclusive cast of characters, including a snarky main character whose messiness and mistakes may be all too relatable.
You might also like: M. Beth Bloom’s Don’t Ever Change.
Eliza and Her Monsters
by Francesca Zappia
What it’s about: No one at school knows that friendless, introverted Eliza is also LadyConstellation, creator of the popular webcomic Monstrous Sea. Eliza never has cause to question her careful anonymity — at least not until she bonds with Wallace, a new classmate and Monstrous Sea superfan.
Including: illustrated pages from Monstrous Sea, as well as snippets of Wallace’s fanfic.
Further reading: For another thoughtful story featuring the particular challenges of internet fame, pick up Alice Oseman’s Radio Silence.
Video and Baby Singing
Good Morning Families: I am sending this article for you to see a video of a single mom (ER doctor) and her struggles with working and homeschooling. Just a bit of inspiration for us all. Go to middle of article to see the video.
Get this week's 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity
Explore this week’s 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity.
Get this week's 5-Minute worksheet, game, and activity
New Inventions Bookmark Glyph Legend
Worksheet: Arts / Crafts
A series of prompts guides children as they design and illustrate a unique invention they can later turn into a bookmark!
Dino Crunch: 3D Shapes
Game: Math
Children practice differentiating between spheres, cylinders, cubes, pyramids, and rectangular prisms in this lively geometry game.
Design Challenge: Gumdrop Structures
Activity: Engineering
Children complete various design challenges using a few simple materials in this creative construction activity.
Bill Daniels on Our American Stories
Families: Please enjoy this story of Bill Daniels – The Daniels Fund has been a major donor to Parents Challenge for over 20 years. He was a personal friend to Steve and Joyce Schuck.
BILL DANIELS ON OUR AMERICAN STORIES
Families: Please enjoy this story of Bill Daniels – The Daniels Fund has been a major donor to Parents Challenge for over 20 years. He was a personal friend to Steve and Joyce Schuck.
In celebration of what would have been Bill Daniels’ 100th birthday, and the 20th anniversary of the Daniels Fund, we have partnered with Our American Stories to tell Bill Daniels’ story. The result is a captivating 40-minute radio program and podcast featuring Bill telling his story in his own words.
Our American Stories is a storytelling radio program with 2.45 million weekly listeners on 226 radio affiliates across the country. Bill Daniels’ story will air multiple times throughout the year and is also available on major podcast platforms.
Weekly practice for your Second Grader
FREE WEEKLY BOOST RESOURCES
To help support at-home learning, we are providing access to Weekly Boost, educator-curated worksheets, activities, and more aligned to the school year.
Weekly practice for your Second Grader
FREE WEEKLY BOOST RESOURCES
To help support at-home learning, we are providing access to Weekly Boost, educator-curated worksheets, activities, and more aligned to the school year.
Math: Elapsed Time
Elapseable: Lesson Plan
Math: Elapsed Time
Time Between Rings: Lesson Plan
Reading: Making Inferences
Inferring With Pictures: Lesson Plan
Reading: Making Inferences
Inference Making: Lesson Plan
Writing: Using Story Starters for Creative Writing
Superhero Dad: Activity
Writing: Using Story Starters for Creative Writing
Summer Memories: Worksheet
Word Study: Irregular Past Tense Verbs
Irregular Verbs in Context: Lesson Plan
Word Study: Irregular Past Tense Verbs
Spot Past Tense: Worksheet
Free Independent Study Packets (NEW Week and Features!)
Our newest week is an activity packet, encouraging creation, design, and movement!
April 2020 Youth Voices: Federal Student Loan Payments Suspended and Interest Waived During National Emergency
April 2020 Youth Voices: Federal Student Loan Payments Suspended and Interest Waived During National Emergency
Parents: This is a lengthy newsletter – it is filled with tons of resources for students and families. Please check out the various topics and determine which might be applicable for your family. Stay safe and healthy during this reopening of Colorado.
ED YOUTH VOICES
A Newsletter with Updates from the U.S. Department of Education Regarding Youth Outreach and Engagement
April 2020
Sign Up to Receive ED Youth Voices
Welcome to the Youth Voices newsletter! This newsletter helps to ensure that our student stakeholders are aware of opportunities, events, news, and more at the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Students are the stakeholders most affected by ED’s programs and services, policies, and practices, so it is our goal to help ensure ED staff are effectively collaborating with students and that they are aware of the development and implementation of our programs and policies.
Coronavirus Resources
The White House, the Department of Education, and other federal agencies have continued to release and update a significant amount of guidance to support schools, educators, and families regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). For general information, please visit Coronavirus.gov, CDC.gov/coronavirus, and USA.gov/coronavirus.
For education-related information, the Department has established a dedicated Coronavirus webpage (ed.gov/coronavirus), which includes information for families and communities that is continually being added to and updated, including:
- At-home activities for students and parents to continue learning while not in school;
- CARES Act Information: Emergency Relief for Higher Education Students;
- Coronavirus Information for Students, Borrowers, and Parents from Federal Student Aid (FSA) (Updated);
- Broad flexibilities provided to states to bypass ESSA mandated testing for the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19 national emergency, including the waiver application for states;
- A fact sheet (Español) addressing serving children with disabilities during COVID-19 national emergency;
- Informational resources, a presentation, and a webinar recording on virtual learning and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The Department’s Coronavirus webpage contains resources for institutions of higher education and for K-12.
- The Secretary launches a new grant competition to spark student-centered, agile learning opportunities to support recovery from the national emergency.
- Secretary DeVos makes available over $13 billion in emergency coronavirus relief to support continued education for K-12 students.
- CTE programs can donate unused personal protective equipment and medical supplies to support coronavirus response.
- The Department is issuing Emergency Education Block Grants for Governors to ensure education continues for students of all ages.
- The Secretary delivers Grant Funding to Support Continued Education at America’s Colleges, Universities.
- The Centers for Disease Control provides Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs as well as Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for U.S. Community Facilities with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease.
- OESE posted an Invitation to Waiver of Fiscal Requirements Due to COVID-19 for the 2019-2020 School Year.
- The Office of Postsecondary Education has issued updated guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus, including FAQ.
The Department will continue to update its website, ed.gov/coronavirus. Please direct education related questions to COVID-19@ed.gov.
New Grant Competition to Spark Student-Centered, Agile Learning Opportunities
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has announced more than $300 million in discretionary grant funds will be available for states to use to create adaptable, innovative learning opportunities for K-12 and postsecondary learners in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. The grants will be divided between two competitions, the Rethink K-12 School Models Grant and the Reimagining Workforce Preparation Grant, and funded through the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF), authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump.
The Rethink K-12 School Models Grant is aimed at opening new, innovative ways for students to access K-12 education with an emphasis on meeting students’ needs during the Coronavirus national emergency. The Reimagining Workforce Preparation Grants are designed to expand short-term postsecondary programs and work-based learning programs in order to get Americans back to work and help small businesses return to being our country’s engines for economic growth.
Secretary Devos Delivers Remarks at White House Coronavirus Task Force Press Briefing
On Friday, March 27, Secretary DeVos addressed the White House Task Force press briefing to update the nation on the steps the Department is taking on behalf of students, parents, and teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to thank the President and Vice President for their leadership during this national emergency. ED is in constant contact with governors and education leaders at the state, local, and building levels, and the Department is “using every tool possible to extend flexibility to states and communities.”
Recognizing that not all students and communities have the same technology resources and access to the internet, the Secretary lauded leaders who are employing innovative and creative solutions to help students continue learning.
Federal Student Loan Payments Suspended and Interest Waived During National Emergency
Secretary DeVos announced that the office of Federal Student Aid is executing on President Donald J. Trump’s promise to provide student loan relief to tens of millions of borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency.
All borrowers with federally held student loans will automatically have their interest rates set to 0% for a period of at least 60 days. In addition, each of these borrowers will have the option to suspend their payments for at least two months to allow them greater flexibility during the national emergency. This will allow borrowers to temporarily stop their payments without worrying about accruing interest.
FSA to Stop Wage Garnishment, Collections Actions for Student Loan Borrowers
To provide additional financial assistance during the COVID-19 national emergency, ED will halt collection actions and wage garnishments to borrowers for a period of at least 60 days from March 13, 2020. As a result, the U.S. Treasury will not withhold money from defaulted borrowers’ federal income tax refunds, Social Security payments, and other federal payments. At the same time, the Secretary directed the Department to refund approximately $1.8 billion to more than 830,000 borrowers. Additionally, private collection agencies have been instructed to halt all proactive collection activities, including making phone calls to borrowers and issuing collection letters and billing statements. Visit StudentAid.gov/coronavirus for more information.
$6 Billion in Emergency Cash Grants Available for Students Impacted by COVID-19 Outbreak
“What’s best for students is at the center of every decision we make,” Secretary DeVos said as she announced that more than $6 billion in Emergency Cash Grants will be distributed immediately to colleges and universities to provide direct emergency grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump.
Institutions recently received guidance for the institutional share of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Institutions will be able to use these funds to cover costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the Coronavirus. The Department has provided additional information on institution-level funding for students and the Secretary’s letter to college and university presidents on this funding allocation.
ED Proposes Distance Learning Rules
On April 1, Secretary DeVos proposed new rules that would govern distance learning for higher education students. Work began more than a year ago on the proposed Distance Education and Innovation regulation, but the COVID-19 national emergency underscores the need for reform and for all education institutions to have a robust capacity to teach remotely. Among the reforms included in the proposal are provisions to emphasize demonstrated learning over seat time, remove confusion over whether a course is eligible for Title IV aid by defining “regular and substantive” interaction between students and instructors, clarify and simplify the requirements for direct assessment programs, and encourage employer participation in developing educational programs.
CTE Programs to Support Coronavirus Response
Secretary DeVos has announced that career and technical education (CTE) programs can donate or loan medical supplies purchased with federal funds to help with the COVID-19 response. The new guidelines allow CTE programs to donate unused gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, ventilators, and 3D printers that were purchased with federal grants to public health agencies, private nonprofit hospitals, and other licensed health providers.
Flexibility for Career and Technical Education Leaders
Following up on feedback she received from town hall meetings between the U.S. Department of Education and state CTE directors, Secretary DeVos announced new flexibilities for CTE leaders required to submit local CTE plans under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). “The 12 million students in career and technical education programs today are tomorrow’s first responders, nurses, and medical assistants—those who are right now on the front lines of the fight against the Coronavirus,” DeVos said. “They are also those who will help rebuild and grow our economy. This administration’s commitment to CTE programs is unwavering, and the flexibilities provided today will help to ensure their critical work continues.”
Office for Civil Rights Releases Webinar and Annual Report
On April 16, 2020, the Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) Center for Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination (OPEN Center) launched a short webinar entitled “OCR 100: An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights Protections in Education.” The webinar introduces the six federal civil rights laws enforced by OCR, gives examples of prohibited discrimination under each, and provides an overview of the complaint process. OCR announced the release of its “Annual Report to the Secretary, the President, and the Congress: Fiscal Years 2017-18” on April 2, 2020. The Annual Report summarizes OCR’s compliance and enforcement activities during the first two years of the Trump administration and highlights the many ways in which OCR strives to meet its mission of ensuring equal access to education and promoting educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.
In January 2020, Secretary Betsy DeVos announced the launch of the OPEN Center, which focuses on proactive compliance with federal civil rights laws. The Center, staffed by OCR attorneys, aids and supports schools, educators, families, and students to ensure awareness of the requirements and protections of federal non-discrimination laws.
FBI Warns of Increased Online Exploitation During COVID-19
Due to school closings as a result of COVID-19, children will potentially have an increased online presence and/or be in a position that puts them at an inadvertent risk. Due to this newly developing environment, the FBI is warning parents, educators, caregivers, and children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and signs of child abuse.
Supporting Students Affected by Human Trafficking
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. In recognition of this significant milestone, the Department is conducting a webinar series to address the growing response of America’s schools to child trafficking. The first webinar in this series, Identifying and Supporting Students Affected by Human Trafficking, is archived and available online.
Also, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families’ Office on Trafficking in Persons announced the availability of funds for the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education Demonstration Program (HTYPE). The HTYPE Demonstration Program funds partnerships between school districts and nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations to provide human trafficking prevention education to students and school staff to develop and implement programs to prevent human trafficking victimization.
Department of Labor Makes Millions Available for Youth Apprenticeships
On April 6, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of $42.5 million in Youth Apprenticeship Readiness grants to support the enrollment of youth apprentices (16–24 years, in or out of school) into new or existing registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs). DOL intends to fund approximately 15 to 25 youth apprenticeship readiness grants, with the amount of funding an applicant can receive dependent upon the proposed number of youth enrolled in RAPs. Allowable activities under this grant include establishing or expanding existing RAPs for youth, pre-apprenticeships leading to a RAP, and wraparound/supportive services that enable youth to participate and succeed in a pre-apprenticeship leading to a RAP. Funds cannot be used to support industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.
New Survey Finds Teens Without Access to High-Speed Internet Are Less Hopeful of Social and Economic Success
The National 4 H Council and Microsoft Corp. polled over 1,500 youth between the ages of 13-19 nationwide to explore the impact of broadband access and digital skills on how youth participate in educational, social, and community activities. The survey found that teens without broadband internet access are less hopeful about their social and economic mobility. Key findings of the survey are:
- 20 percent of teens living in rural areas lack access to high-speed internet.
- Almost half of teens surveyed said they’ve struggled to complete homework due to slow internet connections.
- Rural teens are also less likely to feel a sense of belonging or be involved in social causes in their community without regular access to the internet.
- Lack of access to broadband internet can significantly interfere with teens’ self-confidence.
- 8 in 10 American teens said high-speed internet access could change their community for the better by improving the local economy.
Of the teens surveyed who plan to leave their hometowns, 34 percent cite poor internet connectivity as reason for their decision. This figure jumps to 43 percent for teens living in rural areas.
To close the rural broadband gap in communities across the country, National 4 H teens across 15 states are leading digital skills trainings, teaching the value of digital tools, and finding technological solutions to real world problems through the 4 H Tech Changemakers program.
Young People Step Up to Fight COVID-19
As the world copes with unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, young people are demonstrating their continued leadership in their communities and countries. Youth are among the most active in global responses and are not just on the frontlines as health workers, but they are also advancing health, safety, research, and communications in their communities. Learn how 10 young people are stepping up and the World Teenage Reporting Project are making a difference in their communities.
Webinar Series: Using SBIRT to Talk with Adolescents About Substance Abuse
This webinar series introduces health professionals to the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Intervention (SBIRT) model as a way to learn from adolescents about their substance use, talk about what might motivate them to make a decision to reduce or abstain, and execute a plan to do so.
Student Voices Highlighted on MAEC Webinar
On April 14, 2020, the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) sponsored a webinar focused on student voices, “What Do Students Need While Learning Virtually?” Panelists included students from Maryland, Maine, California, and New Jersey sharing perspectives on how the pandemic is impacting their present and future educational experiences. A recording of the webinar is available on MAEC’s webpage.
ED Games Expo and “Unconferences” Support Distance Learning
An IES blog post, “The ED Games Expo ‘Goes Viral’ to Support Distance Learning,” details the 82 learning games and technologies developed with funding across the federal government that are available online at no cost until the end of the school year. Over the coming weeks, IES and education technology developers will host a series of free day-long “Unconferences” for educators, parents, and students. These events will highlight state-of-the-art approaches to teaching and learning, and sessions will focus on innovative approaches to implementing the interventions in low-resource settings. For registration and more information visit Inside IES Research.
Upcoming Virtual Unconferences in Education include:
- Early Learning: Tuesday, May 5
- Social Studies: Thursday, May 7
- Science: Friday May 21
- Special Education (date to be determined)
ED/IES Small Business Innovative Research awardee Future Engineers launched a nationwide challenge for K–12 students to submit entries to “invent a way to make someone smile or feel appreciated during COVID19.” Teachers can sign up a class to participate, or students can participate individually.
The Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP) Launches PYFP @ Home
The Presidential Youth Fitness Program, the nation’s leading Youth Fitness Program, has partnered with the National Fitness Foundation and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to launch PYFP @ Home. This new version of the PYFP, amid all the school closures due to COVID-19, includes activities that parents can do at home with their families.
To find out more information about this free program head over to PYFPatHome.org.
Looking for Programs That Reconnect Youth
It is estimated that there are 4.5 million young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither working or in school, and there are numerous programs operating to help these young people connect to educational and employment pathways. MDRC is seeking to build a public collection that identifies programs and their practices, synthesizes existing research, and identifies gaps and next steps. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is being done in partnership with Child Trends.
HSD2 Elementary Learning: At-Home Packets
HSD2 Elementary Learning: At-Home Packets
Hello families:
Our District 2 friends, on behalf of Dr. Birhanzel, have been kind enough to provide us with a number of resources for K-5 learning at home. We hope that you find these to be valuable.
To download a resource, simply select the appropriate grade-level, and then click on the “Week” you wish to access. This will download a .zip file to your computer that contains all of the resources and information relevant to that week. To extract the files from the .zip file (once downloaded), simply right click on the downloaded .zip file and select “Extract files….”
Sincerely,
Deborah
Fun and learning hand in hand
Getting There is All the Fun
That’s why we designed educational activities to draw them in, fuel their curiosity, and make learning fun.
Fun and learning hand in hand
Getting There is All the Fun
That’s why we designed educational activities to draw them in, fuel their curiosity, and make learning fun.
Seriously Fun Games for Every Subject and Grade.
Sight Words Drummer
With this fun sight words game, your kid’s reading skills will be tight as a drum.
Sight Words Balloon Pop
This game allows kids to have some fun popping balloons while practicing sight words!
Short A Cloud Catcher
In this high-flying game, kids use images and simple text to identify words with the short a sound.
Another COVID-19 Update
Families: Continue to stay safe and healthy. Many businesses are reopening, but we still need to use wisdom as we navigate outside of our homes. Keep the vulnerable population inside to avoid them being exposed to the virus. Wear masks, gloves, use sanitizer. Be wise.
Saw this and thought you would enjoy
Families: Continue to stay safe and healthy. Many businesses are reopening, but we still need to use wisdom as we navigate outside of our homes. Keep the vulnerable population inside to avoid them being exposed to the virus. Wear masks, gloves, use sanitizer. Be wise.
As we manage the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, coping with mental health and stress management issues stay at the forefront. The American Counseling Association reported an increase in mental health issues as a result of stress, worry, and anxiety regarding the impact and ever-changing circumstances regarding the virus.
The Unreachable Finish Line
The continual evolution of information regarding COVID-19 can feel like a never-ending race. The inability to feel reassured by experts challenges one’s confidence to protect their family, which can create fear, anxiety, and depression, and can be overwhelming to both adults and children. These feelings can manifest in a variety of ways that include:
- Fear and worry about your own health and that of your loved ones
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Worsening of mental health conditions
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
- Unusual shopping patterns
Everyone Responds Differently
How one responds to this crisis can depend on background, age, profession, family, support, or the community in which you live. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who may be vulnerable include:
- Seniors and people with chronic diseases
- Children and teens
- People on the front line (doctors, other health care providers, and first responders)
- People who have mental health and substance abuse issues
Self-Care and Stress Management
Self-care is very important during these challenging times. Not taking care of one’s self can manifest itself physically, economically, and mentally, compounding current issues and creating new ones. The constant barrage of information, being sequestered from others, and experiencing feelings of helplessness can create stress that will have lasting effects if not managed.
Ways to Cope with Stress
- Limit exposure to news. This includes watching, reading, and listening to media sources, including social media.
- Take care of your body
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and feelings.
Remain Diligent
We also recognize that despite shelter-in-place and social distancing guidance from the CDC and medical experts to mitigate the virus, many states have decided to reopen non-essential services starting this week. This includes gyms, hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, bowling alleys, and churches to hold in-person service. These decisions have been made even though many of these states are experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases. Leading immunologist, Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned Americans about trying too quickly to return to normal, stating, “it’s going to backfire, that’s the problem.”
If It Becomes Too Much
Need help? Know someone who does?
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others:
- Call 911
- Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-32
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you have thoughts of suicide or go to speakingofsuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Have a loved one who is severely depressed? Learn what you can do to help.
Let Us Know How You Are Doing
We have heard from many of you about your experiences as essential workers. Your courage is admirable. We know there are many more of you on the front lines in several different capacities that continue to work. We still want to hear from you. Please let us know how you are doing.
Share Vital Information With Us
If you have vital information to share regarding COVID-19 that will benefit our communities and those we serve, please send it to info@parentschallenge.org.
Saw this and thought you would enjoy
Great opportunity to spread of sunshine… Shared by Judy Hanke
A teacher brought balloons to school and asked the children to blow them all up and then each write their names on their balloon. They tossed all the balloons into the hall while the teacher…Saw this and thought you would enjoy
Great opportunity to spread of sunshine… Shared by Judy Hanke
A teacher brought balloons to school and asked the children to blow them all up and then each write their names on their balloon. They tossed all the balloons into the hall while the teacher mixed them from one end to the other. The teacher then gave them 5 minutes to find the balloon with their name on it. The children ran around, looking frantically but as the time ran out – nobody had found their own balloon…
Then the teacher told them to take the balloon closest to them and give it to the person who’s name was on it. In less than 2 minutes everyone had their own balloon.
Finally the teacher said, “Balloons are like happiness. No one will find it looking for theirs only. Instead if everyone cares about each others they will find theirs as quickly as possible.” 🎈
*Cannot take the credit, saw it, loved it, sharing it!*

Episode 5 of "Train Your Brain Tuesday"
It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for our next edition of “Train Your Brain Tuesday!” In this episode, we have a very special guest. Jeff joins us from his home and is a retired fighter pilot from the U.S. Air Force. Hear his story about what it takes to be a great pilot and what cognitive skills HE uses to fly.
Can you beat this U.S. Air Force fighter pilot at a Brain Game?
Episode 5 of “Train Your Brain Tuesday” is LIVE!
It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for our next edition of “Train Your Brain Tuesday!” In this episode, we have a very special guest. Jeff joins us from his home and is a retired fighter pilot from the U.S. Air Force. Hear his story about what it takes to be a great pilot and what cognitive skills HE uses to fly.
Then, see him in action as he performs brain training exercises at mach speed!
At the end, we have a very special challenge just for you! If you think you can beat Jeff’s time, we want to SEE you do it! Film yourself doing the exercise in the video, and then send it to our Facebook page.
We continue to be here for you, no matter what things look like for you in this moment. Your health and safety are most important to us.
This week, episode 5 focuses on LOGIC & REASONING, VISUAL PROCESSING, WORKING MEMORY, ATTENTION, and PROCESSING SPEED.
These brain training exercises for kids ages 5 and up can be done with their siblings, or the entire family! Kim Hanson, LearningRx CEO, is also giving away FREE brain-building activities in addition to the ones she demonstrates. Watch the video above, and then go to our website to download your free activities. Free CE course for teachers, too!
Audible - Free resources
Great resource for families. Credit goes to Step Up For Students out of Florida.
Last month, as the COVID-19 pandemic began closing our nation’s schools, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was the recipient of a very persuasive essay from nine Florida students. The five-paragraph essay eloquently outlined how “Audible would help students with learning disabilities, speakers of other languages, and any student whose school is closed because of the pandemic.”
AUDIBLE: FREE RESOURCES
Great Resources for Families
Credit goes to Step Up For Students out of Florida.
Last month, as the COVID-19 pandemic began closing our nation’s schools, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was the recipient of a very persuasive essay from nine Florida students. The five-paragraph essay eloquently outlined how “Audible would help students with learning disabilities, speakers of other languages, and any student whose school is closed because of the pandemic.”
The students’ essay (read it here) was emailed on March 13 to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos asking that Audible books be made available to everyone while schools are closed during the pandemic. It was forwarded to Don Katz, founder of Audible.
After a few emails between Katz’s assistant and Bo, Audible created stories.audible.com, where hundreds of books in six languages are available for streaming worldwide.
Secretary DeVos Makes Available Over $13 Billion...
Flexible CARES Act funds empower state and local education leaders to think creatively to address student, educator needs during national emergency
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that more than $13.2 billion in emergency relief funds are now available to state and local education agencies to support continued learning for K-12 students whose educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus.Secretary DeVos Makes Available Over $13 Billion in Emergency Coronavirus Relief to Support Continued Education for K-12 Students
Flexible CARES Act funds empower state and local education leaders to think creatively to address student, educator needs during national emergency
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that more than $13.2 billion in emergency relief funds are now available to state and local education agencies to support continued learning for K-12 students whose educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus. This funding is allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed by President Donald J. Trump less than a month ago. Education leaders will have the flexibility to use funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) for immediate needs, such as tools and resources for distance education, ensuring student health and safety, and developing and implementing plans for the next school year.
“This national emergency continues to shine a light on the need for all schools to be more agile,” said Secretary DeVos. “Now is the time to truly rethink education and to get creative about how we meet each student’s unique needs. The funding made available today has very few bureaucratic strings attached and empowers local education leaders to do just that. I encourage them to focus on investing in the technology, distance learning resources, training and long-term planning that will help education continue for both teachers and students, no matter where learning takes place.”
Local leaders are empowered with the flexibility to determine how to use their ESSER funds, as long as they are used in ways that comply with applicable federal education laws. The ESSER Fund has important safeguards in place to ensure that this funding goes to help students continue learning. State education agencies (SEAs) must allocate 90% of their ESSER funds to local education agencies (LEAs), including public charter schools, in proportion to the amount of FY 2019 funds the LEA received under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Up to 10% of the SEA’s award may be retained for the state agency to use to address needs related to responding to coronavirus. After one year, SEAs must return any funds that have not been awarded, and the Secretary will reallocate those funds to the states. To see state allocations for the ESSER Fund, click here.
The Department implemented a streamlined process for states to apply for and receive this critical funding by cutting red tape and removing unnecessary delays. SEAs have until July 1, 2020, to apply for ESSER funds by submitting a simple signed Certification and Agreement form to ESSERF@ed.gov. The Department intends to process each submitted form within three business days of receipt. For more information, click here.
The funding allocations announced today are part of the nearly $31 billion Congress allocated to the Department to distribute to students, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions. The Department, at the Secretary’s urging, has continued to make funds available as quickly as possible.
Today’s action follows the Department’s earlier announcement of a turnkey waiver process allowing states to cancel federally mandated standardized testing in response to widespread school closures in the wake of the declaration of a national emergency. The Department also developed a streamlined process for providing states with funding flexibilities so that they can repurpose existing K-12 education funds for technology infrastructure and teacher training on remote learning and to move resources to areas of highest need. The Department also moved quickly to provide guidance on ensuring students with disabilities have access to distance learning opportunities and to provide an extension for states that need additional time to develop career and technical education plans under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).
The Department continues to update ed.gov/coronavirus with information on COVID-19 for students, parents, educators and local leaders. For more information about COVID-19, please visit the following websites: coronavirus.gov, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, and usa.gov/coronavirus.
NEW Independent Study Packets
To Our Parent Community,
Here are more free at-home learning resources to help you while schools are closed.
NEW INDEPENDENT STUDY PACKETS
Parents: Thank you for all you do to support your scholar(s) during this unprecedented time. We know that many of you are changing, shifting, realigning your day to accommodate the needs of your family. Many of you are working from home, along with providing instructional guidance to your scholar(s) and also meeting the needs of family (cooking, laundry, exercise, cleaning, etc.). For those that are working on the front lines, THANK YOU. For those that are working or will start working on next week, please continue to be safe and stay healthy.
Please pace yourself and realize that everything cannot be done TODAY. Create a schedule for your household that allows everyone to have some alone time and an opportunity for reflection. Start a journal to capture what this experience has been like, the good and the bad.
Along with the educational component, please take time to LAUGH, play games, realize that this has happened for a reason and there is good in every situation. Focus on what you can do and not what you cannot do.
Please let us know how we can support you. Blessings to you. 😊
Free Independent Study Packets (NEW Week & Features)
Check out our Independent Study Packets, which cover a week’s worth of learning materials! Our newest week is an activity packet, encouraging creation, design, and movement.
Plus, Explore More Free Learning Tools.
Weekly Boost
Boost your child’s skills with resources created by teachers and aligned to the school year.
Brainzy Kids
Practice key skills online with a collection of fun educational games, songs, and stories.
Supporting Children During School Closures
We compiled a list of resources for learning during school closures, covering academic subjects, art, and social emotional wellness.
Final week of Math Month!
This Week’s Free Math Game
It’s been fun to celebrate Math! We hope you enjoy this final week’s game and Guided Lesson.
FINAL WEEK OF MATH MONTH
This Week’s Free Math Game
It’s been fun to celebrate Math! We hope you enjoy this final week’s game and Guided Lesson.
Celebrating Math Month: This Week’s Free Game
Identifying Coins: Couch Fishing
The ability to identify coins comes in handy in this couch surfing game. Kids click on the couch coins to correctly answer the questions.
Family Math Games
In this blog post, learn how to add Math challenges to classic games like Uno and Candyland.
Add to Your Knowledge with Guided Lessons
This week’s Math game is part of a Guided Lesson, crafted to help kids polish core skills. Here’s how Guided Lessons work:
- Search for lessons by grade or subject
- Kids can practice at their own pace
- We’ll suggest the skills they’re ready to learn next
Upgrade to a Premium Membership for Unlimited Resources
Multiply your math fun with Premium, for unlimited access to:
- Interactive Games, Songs, and Stories
- Guided Lessons
- Worksheets and Activities
Food Box Delivery
FOOD BOX DELIVERY PROGRAM
If you are in need of groceries and do not have transportation, call Pikes Peak United Way at 2-1-1. We will deliver a food box to your doorstep within 24-48 hours.
Resource provided by Whittemore Family
Resources designed to support YOU
We Support Your Hard Work as a Parent
Our expert-designed resources will help you guide your child’s academic and social-emotional growth.
Resources Designed to Support You
We Support Your Hard Work as a Parent
Our expert-designed resources will help you guide your child’s academic and social-emotional growth.
Parent’s Guides
Our expert-developed Parent’s Guides, customized by grade, includes:
- Advice on supporting academic and social emotional development.
- Ideas for maximizing weekends for learning and social enrichment.
- Strategies for navigating friendships.
Children are the heart of education.com
Our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) resources help children understand emotions, develop empathy, set goals, and make healthy choices.
Our Blog: A Community of Thought
Our blog regularly dives into important parenting topics. Check out these three trending articles that parents like you are viewing.
Discover New Content
Art projects that build math skills. Games that teach science. Reading that inspires writing. Discover new and creative resources to help your child fall in love with learning.
Discover New Content
A Safe Space for Trying Something New.
Art projects that build math skills. Games that teach science. Reading that inspires writing. Discover new and creative resources to help your child fall in love with learning.
Worksheet: Math
Which Is Not a Multiple?
Ask kids to identify which number does not belong in the group in this two-page worksheet.
Game: Reading & Writing
Prefix and Suffix Fish
Help kids understand the meaning of new words and strengthen reading skills with this word-building game.
Activity: Science
Homemade Submarine
This activity has kids craft a submarine and explore the physics of flotation using upcycled materials.
Worksheet: Reading & Writing
Bee Poems
Kids will use this fun bee-themed worksheet to write sensory list poems all about bees!
Game: Math
2-D and 3-D Shape Sort: Factory
Introduce kids to common 3-D shapes like cubes, pyramids, and cylinders with this sorting game.
Activity: Math
Make Milk Carton Counting Houses
This whimsical craft helps kids connect groups of things to abstract numbers using upcycled materials.
Episode 4 of "Train Your Brain Tuesday"
During these uncertain times that include school closures and big shifts away from normal routines, many of our LearningRx families have shared concerns about the impact on their students academic performance.
Want to fill kids’ down time with something SMART? These interactive brain-training videos will help!
Episode 4 of “Train Your Brain Tuesday” is LIVE!
During these uncertain times that include school closures and big shifts away from normal routines, many of our LearningRx families have shared concerns about the impact on their students academic performance. Each family is experiencing this time differently, depending on how local schools are approaching remote learning, the work commitments adults are juggling, and the unique needs of each child. That’s why we created our new video series called, “Train Your Brain Tuesday.” These videos provide you with free brain-building activities to use if you need them, to supplement schoolwork you are already doing at home. The brain training exercises are challenging (but fun!) and each recorded episode lasts about 30 minutes or less. Watch them now, or later, when you just need something a little different to try.
We continue to be here for you, no matter what things look like for you in this moment. Your health and safety are most important to us.
This week, episode 4 focuses on LOGIC & REASONING, AUDITORY PROCESSING, PROCESSING SPEED and ATTENTION.
These brain training exercises for kids ages 5 and up can be done with their siblings, or the entire family! Kim Hanson, LearningRx CEO, is also giving away FREE brain-building activities in addition to the ones she demonstrates. Watch the video above, and then go to our website to download your free activities. Free CE course for teachers, too!
Leave no Subject Unlearned
With more than 30,000 expert-created resources in Math, Reading, Science, and more, your child can explore different subject areas while building skills and confidence.
Leave no subject unlearned
Develop Skills in Every Subject
With more than 30,000 expert-created resources in Math, Reading, Science, and more, your child can explore different subject areas while building skills and confidence.
Math
Bar Graph: Getting to School
Kids completing this worksheet use a bar graph to compare data and solve addition and subtraction problems.
Math
Picture Graphing with Fish
It is raining…fish! Kids use a pelican to catch as many fish as possible in this data and graphing game.
Science
Make Spider Web Art!
Collecting spider webs is a fun way and educational way to preserve some of nature’s greatest works of art.
Science
Leaf Types
This chart is handy for outdoor adventures and for kids working on a leaf collection.
Reading & Writing
Ski Race: Irregular Plural Nouns
In this game, kids must find the plural noun of each word in order to help their ski racer down the mountain first.
Reading & Writing
Reading Skills: Sentences to Stories
This workbook will get kids thinking about all the different parts that go into a good story.
Ways to stay entertained at home
Looking for a hobby or just something new to do? Give these activities a try.
Ways to stay entertained at home
For Your Amusement
Looking for a hobby or just something new to do? Give these activities a try.
Cooking
Channel your inner chef & whip up delicious new dishes.
Crafts
Get tips, inspiration, & how-tos for exploring your creative side.
Baking
Try your hand at making cookies, breads, & more from scratch.
Games
Discover fresh ways to stir up some fun on family night.
Weekly Practice for your Second Grader
To help support at-home learning, we are providing access to Weekly Boost, educator-curated worksheets, activities, and more aligned to the school year.
WEEKLY PRACTICE FOR YOUR SECOND GRADER
Weekly Boost Resources
To help support at-home learning, we are providing access to Weekly Boost, educator-curated worksheets, activities, and more aligned to the school year.
Math: Telling Time
Students will be able to tell and show time using analog clocks.
Reading: Nonfiction Comprehension
Reading nonfiction helps kids strengthen their comprehension skills. To practice summarizing nonfiction texts, encourage your child to use a graphic organizer for support!
Writing: Peer Editing to Strengthen Writing
Have your child use the Neon Revision approach to analyze their writing. Highlight the first word of each sentence with a yellow highlighter, adjectives with a pink highlighter, and verbs with a blue highlighter.
Word Study: Irregular Plural Nouns
Try making irregular plural noun practice cards out of strips of paper. Have your child write the singular version of an irregular plural noun on the paper. Then, have them fold the right-hand corner to cover the letters that change when making the noun plural. Write the new ending that makes the noun plural. Your child can use these to practice and review.
FREE Independent Study Packets
To help support at-home learning, we launched more Independent Study Packets across all grades.
From CPCD/Head Start: The Wheels on the Bus... Create Stability!
Families: This might be a resource to help with essential needs, such as school supplies, food, diapers, rent.
From CPCD/Head Start: The Wheels on the Bus... Create Stability!
Hello families:
This might be a resource to help with essential needs, such as school supplies, food, diapers, rent.
Sincerely,
Deborah
Hop Aboard the CPCD Stability Bus!
As a CPCD bus rolls into a Colorado Springs neighborhood, it is a symbol of a day filled with learning, friends and fun. In a time of community crisis, a CPCD bus is a symbol of stability for families.
Our Neighbors
Along the routes our buses travel each day, families are now staying at home. For many enrolled in CPCD programs, jobs have been lost or hours severely cut back. Many live paycheck to paycheck and lack the resources to prepare and protect their families. Stocking up on food and supplies is impossible. Learning tools and activities for their little ones would simply be a luxury. Family Advocates are working with CPCD families to navigate community resources that are experiencing long lines and wait times. Together, we can fill the gap as they wait for assistance.
Stability
You have supported our work to prepare vulnerable young children and families for success in school and in life. Today, we turn to you to help them regain stability in a very trying time. Working together, we can deliver the essential needs for families to make it through the crisis and gain the skills to rebuild their lives. Fill the Stability Bus!
Start the Engines!
Start the Engines! CPCD buses are ready to drive their routes to deliver items and stabilize families. We can do this together:
- $25 — Preschool Learning Bags filled with activities to learn at home
- $50 — Phone Service for one month
- $100 –Baby supplies such as diapers, wipes and formula for one month
- $250 –Food and supplies
- $1000 Rent and Utilities Assistance
Amazon Wish List
If you would like a more interactive experience, you can fill the Preschool Learning Bags yourself through our Amazon Wish List. Some of the things you will see are:
- Paper
- Crayons
- Markers
- Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Foam Shapes
- Books (board & picture)
We also have additional items our families have identified as specific needs.
Giving Tuesday Now
Our goal is to raise $20,000 by the end of the day on May 5, 2020! Why May 5th? It’s #GivingTuesdayNow! A day where people all over the world commit to do good! The COVID-19 Crisis has expanded this world-wide movement, encouraging members of each community to give where you live.
Doing good for CPCD families looks like providing basic supplies, living expense assistance, and learning tools so children can continue to thrive! You can help us provide everything a family needs to find health and stability during this time!
GET SUPPORT WITH AT-HOME LEARNING
… To help parents transitioning to at-home learning, we are providing free access to some of our best learning resources (see below for details).
Get Support with At-Home Learning
To Our Community of Parents,
As more schools continue to close, we are here to support you. As parents ourselves, we understand the challenge in providing a quality learning experience for your children in these unusual times.
To help parents transitioning to at-home learning, we are providing free access to some of our best learning resources (see below for details).
Sincerely,
The Education.com Team
Resources for At-Home Learning
Independent Study Packets
A week’s worth of learning materials across all subjects in one easy download.
Weekly Boost
Boost your students’ skills with our educator-curated bundles. Tip: Download the week all at once to make a learning packet.
Brainzy – Learning Games for Kids
Practice key skills online with a collection of educational games, songs, and stories, in our Guided Lessons.
Education.com offers even more resources to aid your students’ learning journey, including worksheets, activities, and interactive games. To learn more, please visit our Product Information Page.
TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Information about social distancing, isolating from others, and more.
To Protect Yourself and Others
What You Can Do
Information about social distancing, isolating from others, and more.
Washing Your Hands
Washing your hands is the best way to help you stay healthy. Here’s how to do it.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water. Turn off the tap and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together. Get the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for 20 seconds. Sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing to gauge your timing.
- Rinse your hands under clean, running water. Air dry or use a clean towel.
- No soap or water? Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Apply the gel to the palm of one hand. Rub your hands together over all of your hands’ surfaces and fingers until your hands are dry.
- Avoid touching your face and eyes.
Social Distancing
The main way COVID-19 spreads is between people. Social distancing helps to stop the spread.
- Avoid physical contact with other people.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people when outside your home.
- Do not invite guests over to your house.
- Avoid large groups.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
Isolate Yourself from Others
If you have confirmed or possible COVID-19 or have symptoms, isolate yourself in your home to protect others.
- Stay home.
- Monitor your symptoms and if they get worse, contact your doctor immediately.
- Do your best to stay away from your other household members, including pets.
- Designate a room for your use only. Ideally use your own bathroom, too.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Discard the tissue and immediately wash your hands.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as dishes, towels, and bedding with other people in your house.
- Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces often.
- Wash laundry frequently.
- Have a household member or friend run errands for you like picking up groceries or prescriptions.
- Wear a mask if you have to be around other people. If you can’t find a mask, create one from a garment like a scarf. If you can’t wear a mask because of difficulty breathing, make sure caregivers wear one around you.
- You can leave your house to receive medical care, but don’t take the bus, subway, or taxi.
Symptom Monitoring
Observe your COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days if you suspect you have the disease, have been around someone who has tested positive for it, or you’ve been diagnosed.
- First, seek emergency care right away if you develop emergency warning signs, which include: severe, constant chest pain or pressure; extreme difficulty breathing; severe, constant lightheadedness; or serious disorientation or unresponsiveness.
- Have your medical provider’s contact information on hand.
- Keep a log of your symptoms, including your temperature.
- If your symptoms worsen, call your doctor immediately to update them and they will tell you what to do next.
- Complete our Screening Tool to help you determine next steps based on your symptoms and risk factors.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
Commonly used surfaces should be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
- It’s always a good idea to routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks. But if you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, be vigilant about doing this daily.
- First, clean dirty surfaces with soap and water. Cleaning will remove dirt and lower the number of germs—but it will not kill germs.
- Next, disinfect surfaces to kill germs. Disinfecting after cleaning can further lower the risk of spreading an infection. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Or dilute your household bleach with 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water.
- Wear dedicated gloves for COVID-19 related cleaning and disinfecting or use disposable gloves and discard them after each use.
Discover new content - EducatIon.com
DISCOVER NEW CONTENT – EDUCATION.COM
A safe space for trying something new.
Art projects that build math skills. Games that teach science. Reading that inspires writing. Discover new and creative resources to help your child fall in love with learning.
Which is Not a Multiple
WORKSHEET – Math
Ask kids to identify which number does not belong in the group in this two-page worksheet.
Prefix and Suffix Fish
GAME – Reading & Writing
Help kids understand the meaning of new words and strengthen reading skills with this word-building game.Homemade Submarine
ACTIVITY – Science
This activity has kids craft a submarine and explore the physics of flotation using upcycled materials.
Bee Poems
WORKSHEET – Reading & Writing
Kids will use this fun bee-themed worksheet to write sensory list poems all about bees!2-D and 3-D Shape Sort: Factory
GAME – Math
Introduce kids to common 3-D shapes like cubes, pyramids, and cylinders with this sorting game.