Pupil Services
Resource Page
An Update from Dr. Nelson Gretchen
Special Education Services
December 11, 2020
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
You are our heroes. During this time of pandemic response, we have been asked to sacrifice to keep ourselves and others safe. We see your sacrifice and we see your commitment to your children. We are grateful for your partnership and your efforts. Our staff is motivated by you and your children.
We also know how difficult this time can be for parents, caregivers, and families, so we’ve added additional resources to this page that address how to talk about changes and loss due to COVID, stress, and ways to get help and support. Please reach out to your schools if you need additional assistance.
We continue to work within our district and with our health department to maintain a safe environment for all children to access their education. You are valued members of our team and we are grateful for your support.
Take care of yourselves. We think of you and all you are doing. We will get through this together!
Sincerely,
Gretchen Nelson
Stress Relief
A Year in Space
Family Resources
Emotional and Crisis Support Resources
A one-stop connection to Connecticut's local services, including utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention, and much more. 2-1-1 is always ready to assist you to find the help you need. Dial 2-1-1 or click on this link.
Text HOME to 741741
Connect with a Crisis Counselor for free 24/7, confidential support over text.
“Talk It Out” Hotline
The Department of Children and Families launched this hotline to help parents and caregivers to manage the increased stress associated with caring for their children during the COVID-19 crisis. The hotline provides support from a network of trained professionals, including staff from Wheeler Clinic, who will listen and speak with people about their concerns and make referrals to other services as needed. Call 1-833-258-5011 or click on this link.
The Village
The Village has a non-emergency information line for mental health and resources: Call the following number to access this support: 860-882-6405.
School-based Mental Health Support
School Social Workers, School Psychologists, and School Counselors are available to support students and families through virtual consultation and counseling. Counseling staff contact information is located on each school's webpage.
Wheeler Clinic
To learn more about available care options, call Wheeler Clinic's Navigation Center at 888.793.3500. Wheeler's Navigation Center is open Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 6 PM, and Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The Bridge Family Center
During the Coronavirus pandemic, The Bridge Counseling Centers in West Hartford, Avon, and Rockville remain open and their therapists are meeting with clients in one of three ways. One-on-one sessions in the clinics are available, though most clients have opted to “meet” either by phone or through Telehealth, which allows therapists to teleconference securely with clients using a variety of technologies including smart phones, iPads, or computers.
Call (860) 521-8035 or click on this link.
The Village
The Village is now able to connect with you anytime, anywhere, and with any device using their telehealth service. To learn more about this safe and convenient option, call 860-236-4511.
Clinicians in West Hartford
A list of clinicians in West Hartford who provide telehealth services.
The Anxiety Treatment Center
Andrea Nave from the Anxiety Treatment Center is facilitating a virtual support group for parents who are stressed/anxious about COVID-related issues. There is no limit on referrals, as Andrea will start a second group if needed. Call (860) 269-7813 x. 108 or email Andrea at andreanave@ctanxiety.com
Downtime Resources
Many ways to explore, investigate and create!
Virtual Travel
Want to travel while at home: Try these websites to “visit” places all over the world. Virtual museum tours will provide windows into the past, present, and future.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Curious Minds
Do you and your child have questions about how things work, animals, and the weather?
A visit to some of these websites will support you on your journey to finding answers.
Active Science has 15 different scientific modules, each with interactive games and activities. Great for use with IWB.Elementary-college
Grades K-12 When your child wants to know why the sky is blue, how a tornado forms, or any number of other questions, head on over to How Stuff Works. The articles break down subjects like autos, culture, entertainment, science, money, technology and more. Games, quizzes, and videos also round out your child's learning experience.
From the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, the Animal Diversity Web is an online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation biology. Students can browse information on individual creatures from the Kingdom Animalia and find thousands of pictures on specific animals. What's great about the Animal Diversity Web is that students can sign up to become contributors to the website. To do this, teachers must submit a request form.
It's learning with a twist. The Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids features riddles, puzzles, a question of the day, a timeline of interesting historical facts, sky events and weather conditions to track at home with your children.
Music and the Arts for Everyone
Bring music and arts into your home by visiting amazing sites hosted by the Lincoln Center.
Activities Away from the Computer
Ready for some time away from the screen, but not sure how to create an adventure at home? This resource includes 125 ideas that will engage your child.
Parent, Caregiver, and Family Support Resources
If you or your child need behavioral or emotional support during the school closure please call 211 or 911 for assistance.
The Bridge Family Center is also available during this time for online support and resources. Please contact them through this link or call 860-212-8035.
If you become aware of a concerning incident, you can contact the Anonymous Tip Line.
Essential Resources
Online Safety
Common Sense Media provides suggestions for promoting on-line safety as well as appropriate on-line resources. Two particularly helpful articles from this site are included:
How to Turn Kids' Phones Off at Night (or Anytime, Really)
Tips to Keep Kids Structured
Keep activities with start and end times
Have structured breaks
Allow for downtime
Keep routine
Allow for exercise and movement
Talking to your Child about COVID-19
Pre-school
PBIS info and links (e.g., Daniel Tiger, Elmo) about sickness, handwashing, etc. https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
Social Story about Coronavirus https://theautismeducator.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Corona-Virus-Free-Printable-.pdf
Elementary
PBIS info and links (e.g., Daniel Tiger, Elmo) about sickness, handwashing, etc. https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
Resources about how to talk to children about COVID-19 https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource
Comic Book NPR put out about Coronavirus: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus
Social Story about Coronavirus https://theautismeducator.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Corona-Virus-Free-Printable-.pdf
Middle School, High School, and Post-Secondary
Resources about how to talk to children about COVID-19