Spring 2020 Family Resources
Spanaway Middle School | April & May 2020
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Please use this newsletter as your go-to place for school closure resources. We will house things here that you may need to access over and over again. It will be updated as necessary, but we will draw attention to new items as they are added, both here and in our regular parent newsletter.
What's Here?
- Family/Guardian Survey
- Meals in Motion Information
- Student Expectations for Zoom
- Canvas for Parents (as Observers) & How to Manage Canvas Notifications
- Wide Open School Resources from Common Sense Media
- iPad/Technology Resources
- Library Corner
- Virtual Classroom Schedule and Teacher Office Hours
- Community Resources: Food Banks, Rental Assistance, Healthcare
- Economic Resources
- Employment Resources
- Family Resources
- Crisis Hotlines & Websites
- Social Worker & Counselor Contact Information
- Administrator Contacts
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Family/Guardian Survey
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Can’t make it to one of our locations?
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Student Expectations for Zoom and Canvas:
Zoom and Canvas are our current classrooms, as well as a number of other digital resources and platforms specific to your classes. That means that we have expectations in these spaces just like we would if we were together at Spanaway Middle. Your teachers have shared expectations and norms for their classes with each of you, and we want to be sure that we remind you that our expected behaviors are the same whether digital or in person.
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
We don't need to spell out what each of those means, but in short, we expect you to respect your teachers, each other, and the work being done. We expect you to use these digital tools responsibly, doing schoolwork on the iPads, using your accounts for educational purposes only, and taking good care of your devices and accessories (chargers, hotspots). We also need all of you to feel and make sure others are safe in this digital environment. That means you are kind, respectful, listening, and engaging appropriately and productively.
If you are unable to meet these expectations, the following progressive steps will be taken:
- You can expect a warning from a teacher or administrator.
- If it happens again, you will be removed from the classroom and/or activity (Zoom meeting, discussion thread).
- If you are removed, you will not be allowed back into that space until there has been a conversation between you, your family, your teacher, and/or an administrator.
- Ultimately, you may find yourself removed from all live online classes and activities.
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Canvas for Parents (Observers)
We find one of the best ways to know what your student should be doing is to watch their Canvas pages. Please use the instructions below to become an observer for all of their classes.
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Resetting Skyward Passwords
Please use the instructions below to reset Skyward (online gradebook) passwords.
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iPad/Technology Resources
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LIBRARY CORNER
So Many eBook and Audiobook Options!
Pierce County Library: PCL has closed their branches, but their electronic resources are still available, even if you don't have a library card right now. You can apply for an ecard that will give you access to the e-resources immediately (and you can go get a physical card when the library is open again). For audio and eBooks, be sure to download the Libby app (available through the Self Service).
Tumblebooks: Hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks for students of all ages...all free. Use the links and logins below to access through your browser (no app needed).
Username: tumble735
Password: books
Username: tumble2020
Password: A3b5c6
Username: tumble2020
Password: A3b5c6
Audible from Amazon: Audible has just made thousands of audiobook titles FREE! So many to choose from! And...we love the tag line: Stories help. We agree.
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Here are our virtual hours:
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Teacher Office Hours, Tutoring and Department Email Schedule (Updated 5/2/20)
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Community Resources
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Economic Resources
- **NEW** Application for Financial assistance for essential needs not met due to COVID-19: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenwYkr8gCIkQNTfDGRqCq1deRxMHY50EF9TNeun4mrwb5ppQ/viewform
- Utility Bills: Tacoma Public Utilities has extended the late payment window for 12 weeks and can waive late fees because of the economic hardship caused by COVID-19 pandemic. TPU customers who are having trouble paying their bills should contact Customer Service at (253) 502-8600 or (800) 752-6745 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m or visit https://www.mytpu.org/payment-billing/payment-information/payment-assistance/
Tacoma Public Utilities has added an Emergency Assistance Program <application link
The Emergency Assistance Program is a $1 million fund created to help customers during the state of emergency declared by the City of Tacoma in response to COVID-19. The program provides a utility credit of up to $250 for eligible single-family households, usable toward TPU bills.
The program has fewer criteria than TPU’s existing Bill Credit Assistance Program (BCAP), expanding eligibility to households making up to 200% of federal poverty guidelines (BCAP aids households making up to 150%). The $1 million in funding and change in criteria should enable TPU to help many more households who are struggling due to the current state of emergency.
Puget Sound Energy Assistance: For assistance in making payment arrangements or to see if you qualify for bill payment assistance call 1-888-225-5773 from Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m https://www.pse.com/press-release/details/learn-about-our-covid-19-response-plan
Pierce County Energy Assistance Program: The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) pays heating bills directly to utility companies for eligible applicants. Payments are based on eligible household’s fuel usage for the past 12 months and income. https://www.piercecountywa.gov/1280/Energy-Assistance
Free internet: Internet Essentials will be offered for free for 60 days for families to access during the school shut down, including no activation fees and no equipment rental fees, with an option to purchase a computer for $149.99. Apply for Comcast’s Internet Essentials here https://www.internetessentials.com/apply
Xfinity WiFi: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country are currently available to anyone who needs them for free, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi . Once at a hotspot, you can select the "xfinitywifi" network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.
Free Legal support: This link contains copy/paste forms to self-advocate your rights to landlords, lenders and more. https://www.brumleylawfirm.com/covid-19-legal-resources?fbclid=IwAR3QL7vXrqOzUClme7q0rTjGRkUnYJGBhGzvjuHudpxHJZPTH_hc192lz64
Tacoma Mutual Aid Fund: If you are sick, quarantined, immunocompromised, or elderly and would like food or other supplies dropped off on your porch, please use this form. The Tacoma Mutual Aid fund can budget for about approximate $50 per family, if you would like to pay for additional items outside of $50 budget indicate in the form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQLH-RwSCAVCAm310EF91j74mvjIG49Za0F__8Mb1S3ZFEwA/viewform
Resource Guide from the Dept of Financial Institutions: Includes links to information about rent, evictions, mortgage, student loans, etc. https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources?fbclid=IwAR117YlgVp-Y9vCxvQffZydfbXD1F5FfbfIcMZQMxiMXmjGpjU1mWrMd8JU
Employment Resources
Unemployment Benefits: If you are a full or part-time employee who is unable to work due to the effects of COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help with new emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses. Apply for Washington state unemployment benefits at https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment
Paid Family Leave Benefits: Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program can provide paid leave benefits for Washington workers who need to take time off from work due to a serious health condition or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Certification by a healthcare provider is required for applications for Paid Family and Medical Leave due to a serious health condition. Visit: https://paidleave.wa.gov/
Job openings: Several local businesses are currently aiming to fill hundreds (or thousands) of positions to meet shopping demands created by COVID-19
Fred Meyer https://jobs.kroger.com/fred-meyer/go/Fred-Meyer/587600/
Amazon https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/online-application
Safeway https://www.albertsonscompanies.com/careers/safeway-careers.html
Small Business Disaster relief: Small Business Assistance’s Economic Injury Disaster loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact and help small businesses stay afloat.Businesses are encouraged to apply online whether they believe they are eligible or not. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Make it Tacoma: Website of various local city, county and state economic resource specific to COVID-19 response. https://makeittacoma.com/business-employer-resources-for-covid-19-response-2-2/employer-employee-resources/
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Health Resources
Insurance Enrollment Assistance – Call 253-722-2154 to set up an appointment with one of our insurance navigators. If someone has had a qualifying life change like loss of job/insurance they can call to determine what kind of insurance they can get. There are also programs that can help with insurance premiums that they can be referred to. Here is the information page: https://www.commhealth.org/patient-resources/insurance-enrollment-assistance/
Covid-19 Drive Thru testing – By appointment only, call 253-722-2161. We are offering testing to anyone who needs it, they do not have to be a current Community Health Care patient. If they need a test prior to a medical or dental procedure, or have symptoms we can test them, call and our customer service staff can walk them through the process. We are testing at the Hilltop, Eastside, Lakewood and Spanaway clinics and TPCHD is also referring clients to us. I’ve watched the process and from check in to completed test and driving away takes about 3 minutes!
Medical, Dental, Pharmacy and Behavioral Health are open for regular patient care – same appointment line, 253-722-2161. We are doing tele-health and in-person appointments depending on the situation. We are accepting new patients. Immunizations were down in April by 42% compared to last year, which could lead to outbreaks of other diseases like measles. Chronic conditions or acute illnesses are being treated and help to prevent emergency health situations.
Urgent Care Clinic at the Hilltop Regional Health Center is open, Monday through Friday and clients do not have to be current Community Health Care patients.
We will bill their insurance or use a sliding fee scale to determine payment for uninsured or underinsured patients. We accept all public health insurance and many of the private insurance plans. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay at Community Health Care.
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Family Resources
Coronavirus Info
CDC Updated Coronavirus Info in English
Parenting
ParenTeen Connect - for families with older children, this resource provides an online experience they can share together. It’s loaded with videos, resources, and useful advice to help teens and the adults in their lives address hot-button topics
Hot Chocolate Talk - a resource to help families talk with their children about child sexual abuse
Mental health & physical health
Consejo and Greater Lakes counseling centers
Community Health Care (located across from Bethel Middle School) is still open and available for all Bethel families
Sprinker Recreation Center is open for showers Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm (except Memorial Day). Their address is 14824 C St S, Tacoma WA 98444.
For Fun
Screen-free activities to do with your kids
Learn a language
Libby, an app that connects to your library card so you can read free books on your device
Michael's projects and supplies - order, pick up at the curb, and do cool new art
Character personality test - see which characters from dozens of fandoms you are most similar to
Harry Potter website to read, take quizzes, and do puzzles
Undocumented Families
Apply for Funds: We seek to provide direct economic support to our undocumented community during the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order
DACA Renewal Scholarships Through El Centro De La Raza- Individuals who need financial support paying for their DACA renewals will receive a check made out to the Department of Homeland Security in full.
Emergency Funds: If you are undocumented yourself or have family members who are undocumented and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, click on the link below to fill out the request form: https://www.undocuscholars.com/
Si usted es indocumentado o tiene familiares indocumentados y han sido afectados por la pandemia de COVID-19, haga clic en el enlace para completar el formulario de solicitud: https://www.undocuscholars.com/
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Crisis Hotlines and Websites
Crisis Text Line: Text HEAL to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor
Pierce County 24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-576-7764
Teenlink Line (crisis services for teens): 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM - (866) 833-6546 and www.866teenlink.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
The Trevor Project for LGBTQ community: 1-866-488-7386 and https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Healthy relationship quizzes and info: https://www.loveisrespect.org/
Bullying prevention: https://www.ditchthelabel.org/ and https://www.stopbullying.gov/
When to use the helplines and what to expect:
Use the helplines as soon as you feel you or a friend are in crisis. Trauma, depression, substance abuse, difficulties with family and relationships, and high stress are all valid reasons to reach out. You should never feel your problem is too small or insignificant.
You will never be judged for the problems you are dealing with. The crisis counselor’s goal is to help you make healthy decisions and feel safe. You will be asked some questions about your feelings, social situation, safety, and any thoughts of suicide that you or the person you are calling about might be having. Answering truthfully will help the crisis counselor connect you to the resources you need.
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Social Worker and Counselors Contact Info
Kelsey Fischer | School Social Worker | kfischer@bethelsd.org |253-800-5470
Darci Cook | School Counselor A-L | drcook@bethelsd.org | 253-800-5478
Ashley Kaiser | School Counselor M-Z | aekaiser@bethelsd.org |253-800-5477*******************************************
Administration Contact Information
Kathy Elkins: kelkins@bethelsd.org
Carina Pierce: cpierce@bethelsd.org