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Hello District OR-1 Families,

 

During this time we hope that everyone is doing well and feeling more comfortable in navigating school at home. We know the newness of this situation has worn off and it is likely that both parents and students may be struggling and likely have gone a little stir crazy! As we continue distance learning, coping with all the stressors of this situation can be overwhelming for everyone. Below is a list of resources that can provide support in coping with stress, talking with your child about COVID-19, maintaining a healthy mindset and building resiliency. Age-specific resources have also been added to help parents find the information you may need/want easily. Toward the end of this article, we have also added some ideas of things to do while cooped up at home. Please note we are constantly updating our resources via this site. With that said, please let us know if there is something that we have not covered or a topic that you would like to see added. Please let us or your classroom teacher know if there is anything you or your child may need. We are here for you.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Kloreace Linke                                    ​​​Michael Chaffee

School Psychologist                          School Counselor

linke.klo@districtor1.net                   chaffee.mic@districtor1.net

 

Resources for Early Childhood

Breathe Think Do Sesame Street App -  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe-think-do-with-sesame/id721853597

Sesame Street Belly Breathe -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZbzDOpylA&feature=emb_title

Sesame Street and Caring for Each Other - https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring

 

Resources for Elementary

A-Z Activities for Coping -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EXpkVw3fh0

Sesame Street Belly Breathe -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZbzDOpylA&feature=emb_title

Breathe Think Do Sesame Street App -  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe-think-do-with-sesame/id721853597

Yoga and Medication for Young Elementary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYI0TPJOuGk   AND    https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/

Cosmic Kids Yoga and Mindfulness -  https://youtu.be/0ImHIWzP49M

 

Resources for Secondary

Therapy in a Nutshell- Anxiety and Relaxation Video Series -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrhPTqholcc

Therapy in a Nutshell - Help to Fall Asleep When Stressed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAGUVH_yIRE

Therapy in a Nutshell - Progressive Muscle Relaxation -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqYG95j_UQ

Great Resource for High School through Adulthood! - https://www.virusanxiety.com/ 

Self Care for Teens -  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OI6qdAba3rtb13XYYKf0Pubi6IxL5Y4SRQeytLcdjx8/mobilepresent?slide=id.p

Your Life, Your Voice (Boys Town Resource) -  https://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/Pages/home.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

Talking to Children about Coronavirus

As we all adjust to our new normal, remember to find time for fun, self-care, family and making your new routine fit for you. It can be scary, no matter the age, to hear about a disease outbreak, but learning the facts can help ease the mind. As we continue to learn more about how our community and lives are impacted by COVID-19, taking time to talk about it can be helpful. ​

With that in mind, I want to share with you a variety of resources that may be helpful in guiding those conversations about COVID-19 with your children and family. Finding the right words can be hard. Below you will find suggestions from the World Health Organization.

 

 

Social Story

Follow the link below for a social story that helps parents talk to earlier elementary students about what is going on in the world right now. https://www.flipsnack.com/KeshetChicago/coronavirus-social-story/full-view.html?fbclid=IwAR2spJ0sBUaboJC3UqxeqoHCZjOl2Smg1JSn_CqnzL6V2CQfQf_JG0ohw24

 

Comic Strip for Older Children

​For older children, this comic strip What kids want to know about Coronavirus: A Comic for Kids was developed based on what some experts felt kids might want to know about the new coronavirus. Click on the link for the full story. Click on the image for a cut and fold version of the Comic Strip​.​

 

BrainPOP video for kids

Follow this BrainPOP link to learn about Coronavirus from Tim and Moby.

 

Coronavirus: Mental Health Coping Strategies

The link below will take you to a blog post put out by the National Alliance on Mental Illness that not only provides ideas for how parents can care for themselves during this pandemic but also a list of activities and things to do while spending this time at home. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/March-2020/Coronavirus-Mental-Health-Coping-Strategies

 

Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Follow the Talking with Children Link for information from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website that provides age-based information to support children.

 

Parenting During COVID-19   

Another great document made by the ESU-5 Behavioral Team that includes Parenting Tips during COVID-19. Click here https://my.visme.co/view/6xmjngg7-parenting-tips-during-covid-19.

 

Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health

Click on the Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health Link for tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak. 

 

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Click on the Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks Link for helpful tips and information in identifying signs of stress and what you can do to help relieve stress.

 

Child Mind Resource

Follow the link to https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/ for a really helpful video and article about talking to kids about COVID-19. 

 

4 Tips to Ease Anxiety and Improve Mental Health During COVID-19

This is a great blog that includes 4 Tips to Ease Anxiety During COVID-19  that is good for not only kids but adults too! The most important thing to remember is that having anxiety and worrying during this time is normal. A great way to support students is to help them understand that it is normal for everyone to feel a certain level of anxiousness during this time. 

 

Actives to Help Get Everyone's Mind Off of Things...

At a time where we are all getting a bit stir crazy, we added a few sites that include lists of things to do that might be a needed change

- https://parade.com/1009774/stephanieosmanski/things-to-do-with-kids-during-coronavirus-quarantine/

- https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-03-26/10-things-to-do-right-now-inside-with-young-kids

- https://bestlifeonline.com/indoor-activities-kids/

 

April 2, 2020                                                                                       

To Families in ESU 4 School Districts:

ESU 4 schools will be operating in an alternative learning environment for the remainder of the school year.

Per Governor Rickett’s Directive Health Measure, all schools in Nebraska will remain closed and operate in an alternative learning environment for the remainder of the 2019/2020 school year.  With this directive, all schools are closed to students until May 31st, and this directive cancels all extracurricular activities until May 31st.

Traditional graduation ceremonies are not going to be possible this May. Schools will be working to determine appropriate alternative methods to honor the Class of 2020 in each community, whether that be a ceremony at a later date or some other locally determined alternative graduation that complies with the guidance of health officials.

We continue to monitor the unfolding COVID-19 epidemic to anticipate its impact on our state.  We are working with the Southeast District Health Department (SEDHD), the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), and other state and local officials on this situation. We will continue to communicate important updates to the public and our partners. 

The CDC is putting out updated guidance daily; for the most up to date information visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.  https://www.cdc.gov/covid19.

Please refer to the district OR-1 Continuity of Learning guidance on our website for information regarding coursework through the end of the school year calendar.  More information regarding grading and graduation will be forthcoming pending the State Board of Education April meeting.

Sincerely,

ESU 4 Superintendents and School Leaders

Click HERE to Download Official Document

 

Auburn Public Schools, Education Service Unit 4, Falls City Public Schools, Falls City Sacred Heart Schools, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Public Schools, Johnson-Brock Public Schools, Johnson County Central Public Schools, Lewiston Consolidated Schools, NCECBVI, Lourdes Central Catholic School, Nebraska City, Nebraska City Public Schools, Palmyra-Bennet Public Schools, Pawnee City Public Schools, Southeast District Health Department, St. Andrew Elementary School, Sterling Public Schools, Syracuse Public Schools

 

 

 

 

 

As we continue to battle COVID-19, we understand the financial effect it has taken on Nebraska's economy and Nebraska's families.  If your financial circumstances have changed due to COVID-19, please take a few moments to print and fill out the following CONFIDENTIAL document for Free/Reduced meals for District OR1 students.  Please consider snapping a picture of each side of the completed document and e-mailing the pictures to phillips.lis@districtor1.net

NOTE: this will not affect your status regarding our current food program.

Click HERE to Download the Free/Reduced Food Program Form