Schools are the Heart of our Communities - COVID-19 Stories
2020 // Nebraska
Extras:
In the past few weeks, we have seen the world transform quickly right before our eyes. The normal semester and our day-to-day lives have changed for everyone. However, one thing remains: schools are the heart of our communities.
We’ve seen schools rally to support students in a variety of ways from expediting online learning and alternative learning structures to preparing for the unknown next steps. Schools are insuring students they are safe and loved, and that though learning will look different, they will still be there to support them and help them grow.
In these critical times for students and families, our schools, our hearts are with all who work in education, those who care so deeply for our students. #ilovepublicschools ❤️
Here’s how the public school community is serving our families in Nebraska. Share your stories with us here.
For Parents
- Childcare Providers: COVID-19 Information and Resources - a curated, regularly-updated list of resources by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
- Tips For Families during COVID-19 - a collection of resources from mental health experts Jen McNally, Director of Mental Health and Wellness for ESU 5, and Jamie Mapp, Nebraska School Psychologists Association President
- Free online resources for mental wellness, physical health, and more
- Annaka Harris Guided Meditation - guided meditation for children
- Cosmic Kids Zen Den - mindfulness for kids series
- Cosmic Kids Intro to Yoga - kids yoga adventures
- Cosmic Kids Peace Out - series of guided relaxations for kids
- Playworks Online Game Library - explore hundreds of games by group size, available space and equipment, appropriate ages, and developmental skill
- GoNoodle Library – movement and mindfulness videos
- Yoga Ed Youtube Channel – Yoga for Children
- Alo Yoga Youtube Channel – Yoga for Children
- OMTastic Yoga – free Yoga Resources for Children and Families
- Scholastic Learn at Home - day-to-day projects to keep kids growing
- PBS Kids Learn and Grow - age-by-age tips an activities for social-emotional learning, literacy, arts and more
- Second Step Summer Reading List
- CATCH Health at Home PE & Health Resources for Parents
- Facebook Live Julia Cook Online - Bookends with Julia Cook Mondays and Fridays 9:00 AM CST Facebook Live
- Breathe Think Do with Sesame Street
- Avokiddo Emotions
- Stop, Breathe, and Think
- The Social Express
- Mightier
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems - Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks
- Yoga with Adriene - kid and adult options, lots of topics, and lots of length choices
For Students
- A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus - Just for Kids on NPR
- Helping Children Cope During the Coronavirus Outbreak - The World Health Organization
- Tips For Families during COVID-19
- During the Time of COVID-19, 'You Can Count on Educators to Heed the Call'
- Matt Blomstedt: 'What looks the same is the care and loving of one another'
- Jen McNally: 'Acknowledge Your Power'
- OPS Eighth Grader Norah Hicks: 'Give Yourself Grace'
- Brandy Buscher: 'Schools Have Become the Community Centers'
What you can do today:
- Change your Facebook profile picture
- Share your COVID-19 story
- Donate to the Food Bank of the Heartland
Join Us Live
We aim to share stories that connect people to the humanity of public schools and intensify their support – this remains our mission and it becomes even more critical through this difficult time.
As a way to connect, we will be hosting Live conversations three times a week to help educators, parents, and our greater community understand how we can best support one another.
Tune in on Facebook every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting April 6.
For Parents
- Childcare Providers: COVID-19 Information and Resources - a curated, regularly-updated list of resources by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
- Tips For Families during COVID-19 - a collection of resources from mental health experts Jen McNally, Director of Mental Health and Wellness for ESU 5, and Jamie Mapp, Nebraska School Psychologists Association President
- Free online resources for mental wellness, physical health, and more
- Annaka Harris Guided Meditation - guided meditation for children
- Cosmic Kids Zen Den - mindfulness for kids series
- Cosmic Kids Intro to Yoga - kids yoga adventures
- Cosmic Kids Peace Out - series of guided relaxations for kids
- Playworks Online Game Library - explore hundreds of games by group size, available space and equipment, appropriate ages, and developmental skill
- GoNoodle Library – movement and mindfulness videos
- Yoga Ed Youtube Channel – Yoga for Children
- Alo Yoga Youtube Channel – Yoga for Children
- OMTastic Yoga – free Yoga Resources for Children and Families
- Scholastic Learn at Home - day-to-day projects to keep kids growing
- PBS Kids Learn and Grow - age-by-age tips an activities for social-emotional learning, literacy, arts and more
- Second Step Summer Reading List
- CATCH Health at Home PE & Health Resources for Parents
- Facebook Live Julia Cook Online - Bookends with Julia Cook Mondays and Fridays 9:00 AM CST Facebook Live
- Breathe Think Do with Sesame Street
- Avokiddo Emotions
- Stop, Breathe, and Think
- The Social Express
- Mightier
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems - Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks
- Yoga with Adriene - kid and adult options, lots of topics, and lots of length choices
For Students
- A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus - Just for Kids on NPR
- Helping Children Cope During the Coronavirus Outbreak - The World Health Organization
- Tips For Families during COVID-19
- During the Time of COVID-19, 'You Can Count on Educators to Heed the Call'
- Matt Blomstedt: 'What looks the same is the care and loving of one another'
- Jen McNally: 'Acknowledge Your Power'
- OPS Eighth Grader Norah Hicks: 'Give Yourself Grace'
- Brandy Buscher: 'Schools Have Become the Community Centers'