Newark Trust
This week's updates include a temporary rental assistance program announced by Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Oliver, the Newark Board of Education's summer reading list and summer guide to pre-college programs.
COVID-19 FAMILY RESOURCES
ACTIVITIES
20 Virtual Field Trips To Take With Your Kids
Virtual field trips are a great way to expose kids to new places all from the comfort of home. In this age of technology, so many museums, zoos and aquariums have set up virtual tours and webcams of their facilities. Now more than ever, is it easier to visit destinations around the world from the comfort of your couch. Click here to learn more.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Public Service Announcement with Slogan Contest
The Mayor’s Office and the City of Newark in collaboration with Newark Board of Education is calling on all students residing in Newark, regardless of school to create an original Public Service Announcement with a catchy slogan.
Students are invited to submit a Public Service Announcement with a slogan to promote health and safety in our great city associated with the virus COVID-19. The winning Public Service Announcements will be featured in a campaign to promote health and safety in our city during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to learn more.
Enjoy a Read Aloud from a Favorite Actor or Actress
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more. Click here to learn more.
Glass Roots Virtual Studio Now Open
Each week Glass Roots Virtual Studio will include live demos, lectures, challenges, movie nights, and more. Educators are invited to share the schedule with their students. Each Sunday Glass Roots will send out an e-newsletter containing the full week's schedule. This week's theme is "The Science of Glass." Click here to learn more.
In the wake of Covid-19, since children and families are home, Audible has created stories.audible.com – a place where anyone, anywhere can stream hundreds of titles for kids and families, no strings attached. Audible’s talented editors have handpicked a mix of education, entertainment, classics and general-interest titles in English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese and Italian. The experience is completely free – no log-ins, credit cards or passwords required. Just click, stream and listen. Click here to get started.
Introducing Newark Public Library Community Storytime! Want to connect with your community, entertain kids, and have fun? Record yourself reading a children's book and send it to [email protected]! Then tune in Saturday and we'll share stories! Let's come together Newark!
Playworks FREE Play at Home Resources
Playworks is eager to announce the Play at Home series to support kids’ healthy movement and play while students are home. For over 24 years Playworks has focused on bringing games and activities to schools, while creating a safe and healthy recess for students. They are committed to responding to the need for continued healthy activities at home through the following free resources: Play at Home Webpage; Play at Home Playbook; and Live Virtual Recess. Click here to learn more.
CHILDCARE
PfP to Process Emergency Childcare for Essex County's Essential Workers
Programs for Parents (PfP) is processing all child care for essential workers who reside in Essex County. Essential workers must go to the state website and access the application. PfP will contact the parents to verify employment as an essential worker and residency. The parent may select an approved licensed center or receive referrals. The child care cost is covered by the state unless the provider charges more than the approved emergency rate. Related resources include:
COMMUNITY RESOURCE LISTS
NJ State Police Office of Drug Monitoring & Analysis Covid-19 Resource Guide
The NJ State Police Office of Drug Monitoring and Analysis has developed a comprehensive Covid-19 resource guide. It includes everything from Recovery Support, Mental Health, Crisis Hotlines, State Resources, National Resources, Food Banks, Emergency Housing, Senior Services, College Resources, Job Searches, Business/Employee Resources, Home Expenses Information, In-Home Education, Entertainment, and Volunteering/Donation Opportunities. Click here to download.
Project Ready Coronavirus Resources for Parents, Families & Students
Project Ready is committed to providing various resources and information for families and community members during this time. Project Ready has pooled information and resources from several government, education, and community organizations and will update the document on an ongoing basis. Click here to access.
FOOD ACCESS
The Newark Board of Education's Breakfast and Lunch Program is available for all students at designated schools from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Student can pick up food at any NPS site nearest to their home. Click here for details.
MEND is an interfaith network of 20 member food pantries located throughout Essex County, NJ. Their hunger relief network, the largest in Essex County, has been providing food to individuals and families in need since 1980. Note that, in light of recent health concerns, some food pantries are closed temporarily, or are modifying their operations (e.g., by pre-packing food, limiting numbers of volunteers, and moving outdoors) to help protect their volunteers and patrons. A full list of MEND member pantries (with addresses, hours, and contact info) can be found here.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Free Headspace Plus for the Unemployed
The current state of unemployment in the US has become an alarming crisis. To help those affected, we’re offering a full year of Headspace Plus for free.* Discover meditation and mindfulness tools to help you feel less stressed, more resilient, and kinder to yourself.
Free Mobile Counseling/ Help Sessions
Newark Public Library is now offering free counseling by the library’s professional social worker, by phone or text! E-mail [email protected] for information or to make an appointment! Please include your phone number in your e-mail.
The COVID-19 crisis requires schools to reimagine what it means to engage in collective care for students and staff experiencing grief and loss. NYC Outward Bound has presented a few recommendations for schools as they move the work of their Emergency Response Team online. Click here for access.
Mental Health America Mental Health Tests
Mental Health America offers online screening tools meant to provide a quick snapshot of your mental health. Following screening, you will be provided with information, resources and tools to help you understand and improve your mental health. A mental health provider (such as a doctor or a therapist) can give you a full assessment and talk to you about options for how to feel better. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK, or text "MHA" to 741-741 to talk to a trained counselor from the Crisis Text Line. Click here to get started.
Mindful Movement: Live Yoga Class
Equal Space presents a weekly webisode for ANYONE who needs a meditative break! (Beginner Friendly) You may have spent most of your days working endlessly, unable to go out and release some stress, or just in need of a moment of solace. Equal Space wants to provide you with an amazing experience that allows you to learn more about meditation, and yoga, allowing you to integrate this into your life. Join Equal Space and I'm So Yoga every Wednesday to give you a great start to your day! Click here to register.
SEL and Mental Health Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
As local, state, national, and international leaders work to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many communities across the country are experiencing a heightened level of fear, anxiety, and worry during these uncertain times. Parents, educators, youth development professionals, childcare providers, and others are looking for ways to help young people reduce, manage, and cope with the fears, worries and anxieties that might be provoked by this health crisis and continue to develop the social and emotional skills they will need for managing and coping with future life challenges. Here is a collection of resources to support these efforts.
United Way of Greater Newark 211: Get Connected. Get Help.
For live help on COVID-19, please call 1-800-222-1222 to speak with healthcare professionals. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or text NJCOVID to 898-211. *211 is a subsidiary of the United Ways of New Jersey.
Zero to Three Tips for Families During Coronavirus
Zerotothree.org offers tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing. Click here to learn more.
HOUSING
Short-term Rental Assistance Program
Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Oliver announced a Short-Term Rental Assistance Program to help residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the flyer for additional information.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Education Companies Offering FREE Subscription
With schools closing across the nation, parents and educators are in bit of a panic as they try to figure out how kids can learn and obtain their education from home. If this sounds like you, stop stressing. This is going to be super helpful! We have the Entire List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings. Click here to learn more.
***Free Seminars Offered for Rising 9th - 12th Graders
The Rutgers Center for Pre-College Programs will be offering the first Virtual Newark Summer Academy. The program is scheduled to run from July 13 – July 30, 2020. To register, complete the Registration and Class Request form. Once processed, you will receive a confirmation notification within 3 business days with further instructions and program details. Registration is on a first come first serve basis and based on class seat availability. Click here for registration.
Khan Academy Remote Learning Resources
Khan Academy provides free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. During school closures you can access daily schedules for students ages 2-18 and remote learning resources. Click here to learn more.
NJTV Learning Live is a unique on-air instructional series to help kids learn remotely. Created by NJTV in partnership with the NJEA and the NJ Department of Education, hour-long classes for grades 3-6 are taught by NJ public school teachers. Lessons include math, science, English language arts, social studies, physical education and more. Hosted by 2020 State Teacher of the Year Kimberly Dickstein Hughes. Click here to access.
Newark Board of Education Closure Resources: Learning at Home Plans
The Newark Board of Education has developed Instructional Packets containing lessons for all students from PreK through high school to ensure continued instruction during an extended school closure. Click here to access school closure packets.
Newark Public Library 24/7/365 Family Resources
The Newark Public Library is proud to offer a robust selection of core and specialized services to patrons through their web, social media and digital platforms, which are all available FREE with your NPL library card!
Students, parents and teachers can take advantage of live online homework help and writing assistance offered by Brainfuse, which can be found by clicking on the link to Kids Place https://npl.org/kids-place/. Additional educational resources are available through Gale in Context, also found on Kids Place.
And don’t forget, Brainfuse offers opportunities for teen and adult learners. Click here to learn more.
Panorama for Distance Learning
In the wake of coronavirus school closures, educators, parents, and students are coping with a new reality of distance education and online learning. As a leading provider of K-12 surveys, Panorama is offering a new set of surveys to help districts elevate student, family, and teacher voices in today's new learning climate. Click here to learn more.
Scholastic FREE Learn at Home Resources
Scholastic’s Learn at Home website is a free resource that provides your children with 20 days of exciting articles and stories, videos, and fun learning challenges. Children in grades Prek-9 can complete them anytime, in any order. They can work on their own or together with their family. The active learning journeys are available on any device and will provide your child with up to three hours’ worth of exciting learning experiences per day. They can go on virtual field trips, meet best-selling authors, or dig deep into a topic they love. Click here to learn more.
TEACHING RESOURCES
5 Virtual Learning Resources to Build Connectedness With Students and Families
In response, we put together this toolkit with 5 Virtual Learning Resources. As a district leader, share these low-lift activities and strategies with educators in your district to help them better connect with students and families while school buildings are closed. The toolkit includes: 8 Strategies for Building Belonging with Students and Families Virtually; Virtual Morning Announcements; Virtual Class Journal; Notes of Gratitude & Appreciation; and Virtual "Temperature Checks". Click here to learn more.
New Visions for Public Schools Remote Teaching & Learning
Newest Americans Great Migration Curriculum
Newest Americans presents free curricular modules focused on the Great Migration that may be useful as distanced learning curriculum for teachers. Click here to download curricular modules. Click here to learn more about Newest Americans.
Wonder Workshop Distance Learning Toolkits
Wonder Workshop has created two comprehensive toolkits - one for educators and one for parents, chock full of lessons, activities, videos, games, professional development, and more!
Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center Lesson Plans
The most pressing issues of our time have histories, and these histories often intersect with the world of sports. Give your students the unique experience of seeing how sports culture has reflected, shaped and even altered the course of American life, sometimes leading the way. The Yogi Berra Museum invites you to explore lesson plans that focus on gender, immigration, race and financial literacy for middle school and high school classrooms. Click here to learn more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Webinar: Advancing Equity through Summer and School-Year Partnerships
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
This webinar will share success stories and best practices of school and community collaboration to support children's mental and physical health. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect and discuss the current uncertainty around what “back-to-school” may look like.
This session will continue the rich conversation sparked by the recent webinar, “Shaping Summertime Experiences: Aligning Practice to Recommendations,” that is available here.
Registration for The Newark Board of Education’s Summer 2020 Programs is open!
Registration Deadline: June 15, 2020
Parents are encouraged to review the program guide and use the included link (also linked below) to register their children for programs that will be conducted virtually or in person pending approval from State and local authorities.
Questions about the Summer 2020 programs can be sent to: [email protected]
