Summer Parent Newsletter
June 2020
A Note to Families:
We also know that many of us are mourning the loss of opportunities to connect in person right now to be able to talk with colleagues and friends about what is going on in the fight for social justice and ending racism. Our students may also be craving an opportunity to hear from other children about how they are feeling about current events and what they can do to support. There are several links below to resources you may choose to use to support your child with these important conversations about race.
We'll be thinking about you all during the summer and looking forward to when we can reconnect, however that may look!
Resources to Share with Children about Racism
KidLit4BlackLives Rally
Sesame Street Town Hall
Children's Books
5 Black Children's Authors and Illustrators You Should Know
A Diverse Summer Reading List for Kids
Anti-bias Anti-Racism Resources for Caregivers
Questions to ask your child about the news they are seeing:
How does this make you feel?
How do you think different people are experiencing this event? How do you know?
What are different ways we can mourn, and be there for one another?
Knowing all of what we’ve talked about together, how can you make sure that you act with fairness and love towards all people?
What do you do when you see something unfair happening? How can you act?
What would you like others to know about what you are thinking, feeling, and experiencing?
What do you need from others to understand, cope, process, and be safe as this story continues to unfold?
What can you offer to others to support them in how this story is impacting them?
Content Area Resources
Summer Math and Science
DREAMBOX
Dreambox will be available for students to continue to use all summer long! Teachers will not be checking the usage over the summer, but students could continue to complete 5-10 lessons per week if they want. See the parent resources below:
Log in support - Chromebook (Spanish Version)
Log in support - iPad (Spanish Version)
Getting a family account (Spanish Version)
Questions to ask your child (Spanish Version)
OTHER MATH ACTIVITIES
This link is a 90 min online course for all levels of mathematicians (including students, parents and teachers) that combines Jo Boaler’s research and includes messaging about becoming powerful math learners.
Supporting Your Child in Math at Home (Spanish Version)
K-5 Math Games using dice and cards
Pre-K-1st Grade Math at Home Activities (Spanish Version)
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
This board has lots of activities and resources you can use to support Science and Engineering this summer.
Summer Reading
Sora digital library for ebooks
Public library summer reading programs:
Happy Reading!
Social Emotional Learning Resources
Support for Social and Emotional Learning at Home
Parent Toolkit
https://www.parenttoolkit.com/topics/social-and-emotional
A one-stop resource developed with parents in mind. The Parent Toolkit has helpful tips to work learning and a healthy lifestyle including topics around health, academics and Social Emotional Learning specific to children’s age through videos, blogs, advice columns, and conversation starters. The website is in English and Spanish.
Wellness Tips and Resources for BSD Students and Families
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Yha6lcCTbMve084kp9kFlzrVeu4OdgD8lmGvkFAbZlw/edit?usp=sharing
Simple tips and resources for families including Stick to a Routine, Develop a Self-Care Toolkit, Find and Expressive Art along with many other ideas. Adapted from an article by NYS Psychologist Eileen Feliciano.
Greater Good Magazine
Keys to Wellbeing
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/key
Resources from the Greater Good Magazine including articles on gratitude, compassion, and compassion
Families Well-Being Related Kinder, Happier Schools
Social Emotional Learning supports for families-find a collection of science-based practices for integrating social emotional learning, mindfulness and character education into the home.
Aperture Education
https://apertureed.com/parent-portal/free-home-resources/
Find Downloadable free activities to support social emotional development in children.