The East Noble Connector
April 2020
Aloha ENSC family!
Did you know that Aloha is more than something you say as a greeting or a farewell? In Hawaii, Aloha is a way of life. Aloha means "mutual regard and affection and extends warmth and caring with no obligation in return." Aloha is "the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence."
you are an important part of this community
How can I help you?
In this newsletter you will find:
- A Message of Hope
- Earth Day's 50th Anniversary: Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd
- Planning for the Future: Information on ENSC's new preschool coming this fall, as well as links for Preschool and Kindergarten Round-Up
- Early Childhood and Preschool Resources: Resources to support your youngest learners
- 2020 Census: Information about why the census is important and the call to respond
- Resources and Support: Included are resources about Mental Health support (for all), ENSC Tech support, Wi-Fi hotspots, and school lunches
- Student Support: Tutoring options for all ages
- Parental Support: Tips for parenting during a pandemic, information on creating a spending and savings plan, as well as resources for "Families Tackling Tough Times."
- COVID-19 Resources: Information about the positive impact of social distancing, CDC FAQ, and important handwashing information
- A Message from Mrs. K: When I was in the classroom, my students called me Mrs. K, and so can you :)
How can you help?
- Keep your family healthy and well
- Spread cheer and messages of hope
- Write letters and cards and send them to friends and family
- Write letters and cards and send them to nursing homes to be distributed to residents
- Call your family, just to let them know you are thinking about them
Do you feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed?
The message we hear is that we are living in:
- Trying times
- Challenging times
- Difficult times
- Unprecedented times
- Times of great uncertainty
Each of us has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways. We all are experiencing something that many of us haven't gone through before. Many are without work and living in a time of uncertainty. We already know that things are more difficult now than they were just 2 months ago. During this time where many are focusing on how this is so different than our "normal" lives, let's focus on the positives and how we can create a new normal in which we don't just survive, but we thrive.
Before you read further, allow yourself to stop and take a deep breath
That breath inside of you is a reason to be thankful. Although your future may be uncertain, you have life and your life matters. Each person reading this is an important part of this entire community.
Please know that you are not alone. You have an ENSC family of administrators, teachers, and all staff, that cares deeply about the needs of you, our students, families, and the greater Noble County community.
Hope: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
These are some of the lyrics from the Paul McCartney song, "Hope For The Future"
- Hope shines brightest in the dark
- Lighting undiscovered places no-ones ever been
- Hope for the future
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the entire world to grind to a halt. In my own life, I have taken this time at home and viewed it as an opportunity to evaluate my priorities and what is most important to me and my family as we transition into a new normal. For me, I have enjoyed the time at home to rest, read for fun, organize the spaces that I never had time to do because work, school, and my daughter's extra-curricular activities kept me on the run. I am embracing the calm, as I am not living the fast-paced life where I was always running from one thing to the next. This experience has shown me what is most important in life and has allowed me to shape a vision for the future.
What are your hopes for the future?
- Hope for the future, it's coming soon enough
- How much can we achieve?
- It will belong to us if we believe
During this time in history, we have the choice to rise above our current circumstances and to make the days ahead of us, the best of all.
Happy 50th Anniversary Earth Day!
Planning for the Future
East Noble School Corporation preschool 2020-2021
Themed rooms include: The Zoo, Journey in Time, Construction, Amazing Wonderful Me, Midtown Market, and Community. Lessons and activities will address the Indiana preschool standards and are designed around the six interactive themes.
*All East Noble School Corporation preschool classrooms are located at Avilla Elementary.
Early Childhood and Preschool Resources
2020 Census
Why the Census matters
A few things affected by the Census:
- Public schools
- Roads
- Libraries
- Hospitals
- Our representation in Congress
For more information on how census numbers are used to serve communities, please read the following articles. If you missed it, check out the East Noble Connector: Census 2020 Edition. In this edition of the newsletter, you will learn what the census is and why it is important that ALL complete the census. Accurate numbers are necessary for communities, like Noble County, to serve their people.
After you have learned about why the 2020 Census is important, don't forget to submit your response to the census by clicking on the link below.
Resources and Support
Mental Health Support
East Noble School Corporation has partnered with Bowen Center and Northeastern Center to ensure all ENSC students and staff have access to support for their mental well-being. Both organizations provide 2 counseling sessions to ENSC students and staff at no charge to the family.
If you are NOT a student or staff member at ENSC, but you would like mental health support, please reach out to these organizations. They will not refuse service to anyone due to their inability to pay. These organizations care about the mental well-being of ALL and they will assist you in finding funding for services.
East Noble Tech Support
Wireless and WI-FI Hotspots
Ligtel WI-FI Hotspots:
Ligtel Communications is now providing wi-fi hotspots that can be accessed from the parking lots at the following locations in the ENSC district.
- The Community Learning Center, 401 E. Diamond Street, Kendallville
- Hidden Ego Event and Recreation, 555 W. Ohio Street, Kendallville
- Cody's Pizza, 538 E. Albion Street, Avilla
Please remember to be courteous to the businesses while accessing these hotspots and park toward the outer areas of the parking lots so that employees and customers can still access their buildings.
To Access Ligtel HotSpots:
- Click on the Wi-Fi named school.ligtel.com
- Use the password Ligtel2020
Lunch Delivery
Please remember, meals are being delivered two times weekly. Monday delivery will include two meals and Wednesday delivery will include three meals.
If you have not registered for the free lunches on Mondays and Wednesday’s and would like to, please use this link:
https://tinyurl.com/ENSC-LunchRequest
Student Support
Virtual Tutoring Available for Elementary Students
The cost for an individual, 30-minute virtual tutoring session is $5.00.
Day and times are flexible.
For more information or to get started:
- Contact Jolene Frey by email jfrey@freedomacademy.net or by calling (260) 242-8813.
Free Math and Science Tutoring for grades 4-12
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s AskRose Homework Help is a free math and science tutoring service for Indiana students in grades 4-12. Students can call 877-ASK-ROSE, email, or chat live with a friendly tutor to work through and better understand homework assignments.
Hours of operation:
Sunday-Thursday, 7:00 pm-10:00 pm (EST)
Monday- Friday, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm (EST)
Parent Support
Have you received your stimulus or unemployment benefits?
Purdue University is providing resources for families
"As people face the daily challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences is providing a set of resources for families of all ages and generations."
Program materials will be released each week but can be used at any time. Topics for the 10-week program are:
Week 1: Believing, sharing, acting.
Week 2: Our family can do this.
Week 3: Our family is creative.
Week 4: We care about each other.
Week 5: Our family will get through this.
Week 6: We share our feelings constructively.
Week 7: Our family is adaptable.
Week 8: We can get stronger.
Week 9: We tell each other the truth.
Week 10: We take action.
Covid-19 Resources
A Message from Mrs. K
Cassaundra Kesterke
Family and Community Engagement
Email: ckesterke@eastnoble.net
Phone: 260-347-2502
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENSC.Cassaundra/
Twitter: @ENSC_Cassaundra