Issues - Supporting Children, Parents and Families - Fact Sheets and Education Resources

March 20, 2020

Schools Reach Out to Ensure Students Receive Meals

The 22 Greater Stark County school districts have created a system to ensure that local students have access to meals during this shutdown - with each district enacting a plan based on their community's needs. These coordinated efforts by the school districts (and others) ensures that our children are receiving food and proper nutrition during this time. We applaud each and every one of you involved in this impressive effort!

Supporting Children, Parents and Families - Fact Sheets and

Education Resources

The recent coronavirus outbreak - COVID 19 - is proving to be stressful for adults and children alike as fear and anxiety about any disease can be overwhelming and a cause of strong emotions. Many national/international organizations such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization and National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) all agree on some basic strategies:

The CDC recommends the following things that you can do to support your child in managing anxiety and stress [1]:

Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts [2] about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
Limit your family's exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
Try to keep up with regular routines. Since schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.

The NCTSN provided the helpful fact sheet, "Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)" [3]

Since all of our readers interact in some way with parents and/or educators, we have included a wide range of engaging activities for the children and youth in our community:

ISTE Stem Network [4]
Making and Designing at Home for kids [5]
Vivify's Top Take-Home Stem Resources for School Closings including a twelve-week calendar of home STEM activities [6]
Massive collection of free education resources being offered by education companies (continually updated) [7]
Younger children will enjoy listening to Mr. Paulson Reads as he shares dozens of stories - complete with fun voices [8]

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[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/share-facts.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fshare-facts.html

[3] https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf

[4] https://sites.google.com/view/iste17stempln/covid19-resources

[5] https://sites.google.com/castilleja.org/making-and-designing-at-home/home

[6] https://www.vivifystem.com/blog/2020/3/12/top-stem-resources-for-school-closings

[7] http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/

[8] Mr. Paulson Reads at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo_Ouen13ULL0k8yXx4vZ5g

The Stark Education Partnership - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Stark County, Ohio - is a catalyst, engaging and collaborating with education, business, civic and community stakeholders to drive sustainable improvement and innovation to provide all students with education and career success.
Questions or comments? Email septpurses@gmail.com or call 330-452-0829. Visit our website at http://www.edpartner.org