I will keep my message short today. If you didn't get to see the Governor's address today, he made it very clear that there will be no conversation of schools reopening until at least April 17th. Therefore, we will continue to forge ahead, together as a school community. If you have any specific questions about your child's remote learning plan, please contact his or her principal. You may copy me on the email so that I may assist the principal with your comments or requests.

On Friday, March 27th, at 3:00 p.m. Dr. Cecilia D'Elia, Director of our School Based Youth Services Program, will be hosting a Zoom sessions for all students titled "Zoom in on Students". The purpose of this session will be for Dr. D'Elia to respond to any questions that children of all ages may have about this current situation or to provide suggestions about how they may be feeling. The invitation is below:

Time: Friday, March 27, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/340316668

Meeting ID: 340 316 668

In the meantime, if you or your child would like to submit a question or a comment to Dr. D'Elia ahead of her session, please do so by emailing her at cecilia.delia@hoboken.k12.nj.us. Be sure to use "Zoom in on Students" in the subject line.

Mr. Christopher Della Fave, Director of Innovative Programs for the District, will also be hosting a Zoom Session titled "Physically Distancing & Socially Connecting". Please see the information below:

Time: Sunday, Mar 29, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/340549875
Meeting ID: 340 549 875

Parents and Guardians, please remember that we will continue to distribute "grab and go" meals out of Hoboken High School's Cafeteria on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. If getting to the high school each day is too difficult, please let the food service workers know and they will package multiple days of meals together for you at once. I am happy to announce that any remaining food and milk that we have is being donated to the shelter.

In today's edition of the Herald, I have included a daily video from each of our Principals and Supervisor of Early Childhood. There are also some additional videos featuring stories, theater exercises, healthy tips and fitness, yoga and relaxation techniques.

I encourage you to take time to review The Herald. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too. I will be checking in with my Hoboken School District Families each day via the Herald. I hope that you will also check in with me. If you would like to send me photos of your children hard at work, please do so. I will include them in The Herald.

Stay well. I assure you that I will keep you updated every step of the way. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Johnson

1. Google YouTube
2. Click on Videos
3. Type in the Search Box: HPS Video Highlights
4. Click the red box to subscribe

Parents/Guardians of Adolescents should practice:

• Patience
  
• Tolerance
  
• Reinforcement
  

It is crucial for parents/guardians to continue to practice:

• Self care
  
• Adequate Sleep
  
• Connection to others (calling, Facetime)
  
• Breaking from news and social media
  
• Routine
  
• Capping "purposeless" screen time to 2 hours; purposeless equates to social media/non educational/youtube; it does *not* include Facetime for social connection and remote learning
  
• Repeating to self and family: “I can only control what I can control; this is our plan today."
• Taking time day by day; avoid talking about chunks of time ahead. We worry about today, not the future. We are planning for today.
• Connect w outside resources like therapists, Dr's and spiritual leaders

Parents ask our kids

1) Are you okay (w pause)? If you’re unsure if your child is suicidal/at risk for harm reach out to local hospitals, hotlines and school guidance/CST/counselors

2) How can I help? (Don’t give solutions encourage their problem solving 1st)

CST/Clinicians:

• Reference a calendar of webinars available for us and parents coming out this week
  
• Use zoom, phone while following state guidance.
  
• Maintaining your family/student relationships
  
• Encourage to share this webinar's PowerPoint w parents once PowerPoint received.
  

Trusted Resources: Only Use

• World health organization
  
• CDC

As many of you know, I am a mom too. Although my daughter is 24 years old, she continues to ask me questions about the Coronavirus. I provide her with a number of resources daily to read. I fully understand that talking to younger children about the Coronavirus can be difficult and confusing based on the number of messages that are coming your way from news media. I have attached a link that was sent to me by Carrie Ellis that may help make your conversations a bit easier. Click on the link below:

Social Emotional Learning Resources for Schools

New Jersey Department of Education SEL Resources

CASEL’s Collaborating States Initiative Classroom Activities

ACT for Youth Center for Community Action SEL Toolkit

The Nemours Children’s Health System - Positive Learning and Health

PBS Learning Media

The NJ Department of Human Services operates a toll-free “warm line” which is a resource for people seeking mental health service. The warm line is activated during events that impact the mental health of New Jersey residents. The warm line is available 24 hours and has language access; (877) 294-HELP (4357). NOTE: The “warm line” does not replace 911 and is not used to report emergencies.