The Digital Classroom
March 27, 2020
Weekly Update for Families on Catholic Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear School Families,
As you know, on Wednesday, Governor Charlie Baker announced the extension of school closures for K-12 schools and non-emergency early education programs until May 4. This announcement includes Catholic and private schools. You can find more information via these links:
READ: https://bit.ly/2UjYWuo
WATCH: https://youtu.be/yVAnenJcM2c
During this closure of the physical school buildings, we remain committed to joyfully educating and supporting your children. Watch the video below to see what I mean.
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Tomorrow is the final night of Cardinal Seán's Lenten Retreat, and he will speak on the topic of "The Eucharist." Visit www.bostoncatholic.org/virtualretreat. The sessions from the first five days are also available on this website.
In Christ,
Tom
Thomas W. Carroll
Superintendent of Schools
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Produced by: George Martell
Reflection of the Week
Guidance for Online Safety
As you are well aware, during the current pandemic, our children are spending a lot more time on screens than we're accustomed to. Before two weeks ago, we could assume that a lot of their screen time was for leisure activities and we could monitor accordingly. Today, however, we've been thrust into a Brave New World of remote learning with little knowledge or experience of what it will entail.
In the past, we had a much better handle on what our kids were doing and with whom our kids were interacting with online. How do we mitigate the risks our kids might be exposed to today? How do we explain these risks to them? And how do we protect them while they're online?
Although, it may seem to be a daunting task when you first consider it, protecting yourself and your family online is very similar to how you teach your kids to protect themselves IRL — a cyber way of saying "In Real Life."
In fact, many large data breaches and cases of identity theft happen because people don't follow simple rules:
· Don't talk to strangers
· Don't share any personal information with people you don't know
Kids in the pre-digital era were taught:
· Don't answer the door if you aren't 100% sure who's on the other side
· If you answer the phone when your parents aren't home, don't let the person on the other end know you're alone
In the online age, we need to teach our kids similarly:
· Don't share personal information
· Don’t send pictures of yourself to people you don’t know
· Don’t post or share pictures of yourself that you don’t want the world to see
· Stop talking to anyone who asks for these things and tell a trusted adult
· Don’t download anything on the computer without talking to an adult first
· Don’t be on a screen in a private room, but rather in common areas
We also need to remind our children to behave online in the same way that they would behave in person:
· Be kind to one another
· Stand up for those who are being picked on
· Let a trusted adult know if someone else is being bullied
Together with our school leaders and teachers, please know your child’s safety is of the utmost importance to us. If you’re interested in learning more, please find links to other resources below:
Cyber Safety Resources
- Common Sense Education Online Privacy & Safety: Tips for parents on what to look out for, how to discuss online security with your children, and age appropriate videos to share with your pK-12 children
- Federal Trade Commission – Kids and Computer Security: Tips for keeping kids safe online
- Socializing Online
- Chatting with Kids About Being Online
- Online Sharing
- FBI’s Information on Protecting Children Online
Home Network Control
Many internet providers allow you to control device access
Parental Control Software
Install this software on your family’s devices to control what they can access, their screen time, and in some cases monitor their location
Social Media and Access Monitoring
Install software on devices and it will monitor, detect, and alert across multiple social media platforms
As always — if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Resources for Supporting Your Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Joanna's Place: Tips to Help Families through the Coronavirus Crisis
- Franciscan Children's Hospital: The first of a two-part series addressing Coronavirus and its effects on our children. Dr. Fatima Watt, Director of Behavioral Health at Franciscan Children’s, spoke about ways to identify and address stress, fear and anxiety in our youth, especially during these unprecedented times
Feeling Stressed...?
We are offering two sessions via GoToWebinar:
April 1, 9am: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4892473106677222155
Remaining Resilient in an Uncertain Time
The late psychologist Julius Segal wrote that for children to be resilient they need the presence of “charismatic adults” in their lives. Such adults provide an important source of strength and stability for children, especially during this pandemic. By taking care of ourselves and building our own resilience and managing our understandable stress, we are better able to support our children. Drs. Brooks and Rappaport will discuss:
· Adopting a “personal control” outlook, which focuses on the things we CAN control, such as our attitudes and responses to challenges
· Maintaining social and professional connections during social distancing
· Making TLCs: therapeutic lifestyle changes, including exercise, diet, and mindfulness/prayer
· Finding “contributory activities” which enrich the lives of others without compromising our own well-being
· Focusing on gratitude
April 3, 9am: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8744984829032287499
Supporting Students in an Uncertain Time
Drs. Brooks and Rappaport will discuss how to support our children and students during this time of uncertainty and change. Topics will include:
· Communicating in ways that are age-appropriate, calm, honest, and realistically hopeful
· Validating children’s questions and worries and remaining emotionally available when kids express their emotions in challenging ways
· Balancing structure and rigidity around schedules, schoolwork, and media
· Supporting students with a history of trauma and those with challenging home lives
· Promoting problem-solving skills, maintaining social connections, and providing “contributory activities” that allow children to help others
These workshops are open to all adults in Archdiocese of Boston Catholic school communities (leaders, faculty and staff, parents).
In addition, Drs. Rappaport and Brooks have written two articles that can help during this crisis:
Faith-based Resources for Virtual Education
- Magis Center/Credible Catholic: Free 7-week Student Course and Webinars for Parents and Teachers
- Loyola Press: Finding God offers parents and families materials specifically designed for use at home
- Loyola Press: 40 Ideas for 40 Days – Lenten Activities
- Holy Week and Easter Week at Home: PDF below
A small sampling of the digital and remote learning that took place this week in the Archdiocese
Saint Paul School, Hingham
Austin Prep, Reading
SJP2CA - Columbia
Lawrence Catholic Academy
Saint Mary of the Hill School, Milton
Monsignor Haddad Middle School, Needham
Saint Bridget School, Framingham
Ursuline Academy, Dedham
Blessed Sacrament School, Walpole
Today's COVID-19 Briefings from the Government
- The White House
- The FDA: FDA Takes Action to Increase Supply of Ventilators & Respirators
- Baker-Polito Administration: New Travel Guidelines/State Income Tax Filing Extension
- Mayor Marty Walsh: City Clerk Updates
Catholic Schools Office
Email: bostoncatholicschools@gmail.com
Website: csoboston.com
Location: 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA, USA
Phone: 617-779-3601
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSOBoston/
Twitter: @csoboston