Food for families during the school shutdown
- Project Bread and the Department of Early and Secondary Education have partnered to map and share information on what different school districts are doing in terms of meal options for students. Read more here.
General education and distance learning links
- MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Remote Learning Guidance, released March 26, 2020 and supported by teachers unions, administrators, school committees and charter schools. Read more here.
- The MA Department of elementary and Secondary Education has compiled links to educational resources for families to continue learning while schools are closed. They include resources on English, math, science, social studies, arts, as well as links geared to English language learners and students with disabilities. Read more here.
- WGBH distance learning center offers information for educators and families aligned with the PBS LearningMedia resources: Read more here.
- Also from PBS, distance learning tips from one teacher to another. Read more here.
- Resources for families from the AFT, here.
- A Model Remote Learning Plan from Superintendent Dr. Julie Hackett and the Lexington Public Schools. Read more here.
- Boston Public Schools form to request a Chromebook, here.
Reading and Literacy
- For parents at home with kids, children’s book writers want to help. Read more here.
- Access Boston Public Library services here.
- Access to the National Emergency Library, a global library that loans digitized books to the world for free. Read more here.
- From longtime educator and activist Judith Baker, a link to beautiful and authentic storybooks coming from African communities, professionally edited and illustrated. They are ‘leveled’ for very first readers up to about grade 3.
- An ELA approach to civics, created by James McDermott, also a longtime educator and former member of the MA BESE. He wrote that it “could be used in a civics class, a history class, or an ELA class.” It’s here.
Resources for students with disabilities and their families
- MA guidance (updated March 26, 2020) and FAQs on COVID-19 and special education services. Read more here.
- U.S. DOE – Questions and answers on providing services to children with disabilities during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak. Read more here.
- Online toolkit for those supporting students with autism. Read more here.
Free Internet for Low-income families
- Comcast offering free internet access for two months. Read more here.
Finding Support and Managing Anxiety and Stress for Families
- Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe. Read more here.
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource. Read more here.
- Information from the Centers for Disease Control. Read more here.
- Information from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- Quick Expert Tips to Manage Coronavirus Anxiety, video here.
- COVID-19 Lockdown Guide: How to Manage Anxiety and Isolation During Quarantine. Read more here.
- How to Talk to Your Anxious Child or Teen About Coronavirus. Read more here.
- Online and phone mental health care options. Read more here.
Wisdom, Edu-tainment and Inspiration
- Teacher Leadership in Uncertain Times: Recommendations from board-certified teachers for school, district and state leaders. Read more here.
- Wisdom and advice for educators and families from Boston College Research Professor Andrew Hargreaves in this Washington Post article, “A complete list of what to do — and not do — for everyone teaching kids at home during the coronavirus crisis,” here.
- Flatten the curve rap by Sharon biology teacher Zach Snow, here.
- The science behind soap’s power to kill viruses, from the New York Times. Read more here.
- Inspiration for Educators and others: “What Do We Need to Teach Now?” Read more here.
- A Wise Superintendent Offers Counsel for Our Times. Read more here.
Guidance from Other Groups
