ONLINE RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS, PARENTS & STUDENTS

 

As a result of the rapidly-changing situation concerning the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, students and their families are being asked to stay at home as much as possible. Thus, teachers and parents are increasingly relying on online resources to support students’ learning.

 

LULAC has compiled a list of various online tools and resources--ranging from access to internet connectivity to educational STEM activities--for parents, teachers and program coordinators to support students during this period of increased remote learning.

 

1. Food Banks & Meal Programs

The economic impact of COVID-19 is likely to increase food insecurity in our community. Closures of businesses and schools could affect lower-income families and people with hourly wages in particular. We are providing resources for finding a local food pantry to help curve food insecurities.

1. 1. Find Your Local Food Bank: The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the United States and leads the nation to engage in the fight against hunger.

   2. Meal on Wheels: Vulnerable seniors are at the greatest risk amid COVID-19. Local Meals on Wheels programs are on the front lines every day, focused on doing all they can to keep older Americans safe and nourished in communities across the country. 

   3. Contact your local school district for more information regarding free meals for students in your community.

2. Mental Health & Social-Emotional Learning Resources

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

 

COVID-19 is not at all connected to race, ethnicity, or nationality. Be mindful that bullying, intimidation, or harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, or disability (including the actual disability of being infected with COVID-19 or perception of being infected) may result in a violation of state and federal civil rights laws. 

 

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

 

1. 1. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): A source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL). CASEL supports educators and policy leaders and enhances the experiences and outcomes for all PreK-12 students.

   2. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Manage Stress Workbook: This workbook was designed by the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP). It will guide you through steps to identify and track your stress and practice a variety of strategies that have been shown to counteract stress.

   3. National Alliance on Mental Illness: People affected by mental health conditions face unique challenges in the COVID-19 crisis. NAMI is here to help with their HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resource Guide and is calling for Congress to address the needs of people with mental illness.

   4. Anti-Defamation League Anti-Biased Messaging: COVID-19 is not at all connected to race, ethnicity, or nationality. Be mindful that bullying, intimidation, or harassment of students based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, or disability (including the actual disability of being infected with COVID-19 or perception of being infected) may result in a violation of state and federal civil rights laws. CO

 

1. Services for Differently Abled Children

   1. U.S. Department of Education: Questions and Answers on Providing Services on Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak

   2. Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities

 

1. Talking to Children About COVID-19

   1. Fred Rogers Center: Support for Helpers During Coronavirus

   2. CDC: Talking With Children About Coronavirus Disease 2019

   3. PBS: How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus

   4. NASP: Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource

 

1. Connect to the Internet

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the communities where we live and serve, schools and organizations are encouraging their staff and students to work remotely if possible. Below are some resources to help with connectivity.

 

1. 1. AT&T Public Wi-Fi Hotspots: AT&T will open its public Wi-Fi hotspots for anyone who needs them.

   2. Charter Communications: Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

   3. AT&T: Will continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited-income households at $10/month through the Access from AT&T program. Will be suspending broadband usage caps for home internet customers. Won’t terminate service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer due to an inability to pay their bill as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – and will be waiving late payment fees for those customers.

   4. Comcast: New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020.

   5. T-Mobile: All current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).

   6. Verizon: Verizon will waive overage charges and late fees to support customers who may be financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis and announces two months waived internet and voice service charges for current Lifeline customers and new affordable internet option for low-income households

 

1. Stay Connected

   1. Skype: Stay in touch! Free online calls, messaging, affordable international calling to mobiles or landlines and Skype for Business for effective collaboration.

   2. Google Remote Work Hub: Find resources to work remotely in an efficient manner. Through July 1, 2020, all G Suite customers can use advanced Hangouts Meet video conferencing features, like larger meetings (up to 250 participants), live streaming, and recording for free.

      1. Google Hangouts: Hangouts bring conversations to life with photos, emoji, and even group video calls for free. Google is offering free use of Google Hangouts for Video Chatting until July 1, 2020.

   3. Zoom: Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems.