Last week, Gov. Baker announced that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the spring and that distance learning will continue. According to Education Week, these closures now span “41 states, 3 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia,” placing 43 million public school students — and their families — in the unchartered territory of Zoom, Google classroom, and a host of other new platforms as we adjust to this new normal.

As we enter week 7 of school closures, we know that these days and weeks have been long and challenging. And while some families have adapted to this new normal, others are struggling with illness, job loss, and food insecurity. In the midst of this crisis, there are a multitude of resources to help provide meals, neighborly help, and emotional support. There are also learning resources and activities to help us all get through the days and weeks ahead as well.

While all of our previous updates with coronavirus-related resources are available on the SchoolFacts Boston Blog, here are several more:

Keep Safe

• The CDC provides a list of guidelines on keeping children healthy in the midst of COVID-19.
• Everyone is encouraged to wear face masks when not inside their homes. This New York Times article tells you how to wear one correctly for optimal protection.
• Boston continues to have a voluntary curfew in place for those not providing “essential Covid-related services;” all residents are asked to remain home from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. each day.

Keep Centered

• EdNavigator provides great resources in English and Spanish on how to navigate and prioritize in this challenging time.
• In this age of social distancing, self care and maintaining connections — via text, email, or phone — are key to keeping coronavirus-related anxiety in check. The New York Times reports on how to maintain perspective and calm.

Keep Reading and Writing

• Former First Lady Michelle Obama has teamed up with PBS and Random House to provide weekly read-alongs for children, including her recent rendition of The Gruffalo. Readings will take place at noon every Monday through May 11 on Facebook @PBSKids.
• For those seeking guidance on how to structure a distance-learning school day, Khan Academy provides grade-by-grade examples as well as links to academic course material.
• “Dog Man” and “Captain Underpants” author Dav Pilkey provides week-by-week activities tied to his beloved book characters. 
• Tilt Parenting, a website focused on “differently wired kids,” continues to build upon its comprehensive page of coronavirus resources with opportunities for both children and adults.

Keep Busy

• Art Resource Collaborative for KIds is providing online art lessons for grades K-8, with a request to share your work with them once you’ve completed a project.
• The Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester is offering regular online programming in place of its usual after school activities, with topics that include art, trivia, dance, and yoga.
• Professional illustrator Brad Woodard leads the Brave Kids Art Club with lessons happening each week. 

Keep Active

• From dancing to yoga to Barry’s Boot Camp, Good Housekeeping shares a list of 25 free online options to keep us moving.

Keep Connected 

• Whether you need help or are seeking help, Good Neighbors, a service sponsored by the city of Boston and Nesterly, can help people connect; facilitating everything from deliveries to a reassuring phone call. 
• BPS students requiring Chromebooks or help with internet connections can find help here. General updates and resources from the BPS during school closures may be found here. 

Keep Informed

• The 2020 Census is still underway and it’s critical that you and your family members are counted; Boston has a dedicated page and forms are available in 13 languages.
• All City of Boston COVID-19 updates are available here. For information on available resources, the non-emergency phone number for the city is 311.
• The state’s unemployment website can now be accessed in Spanish and the addition of more languages is forthcoming.
• State of Massachusetts COVID-19 updates are here. The non-emergency phone number to reach the state is 211.
• The City of Boston’s resource page to access information on emergency meals and housing. 
• If you are worried about eviction, contact City Life/Vida Urbana’s Housing Hotline at (617) 934-5006 (English) or (617) 397-3773 (Español). The city’s Office of Housing Stability is also available to help families find and maintain housing.
• Amplify Latinx has created its own page of COVID-19 related resources. 

If you have additional resources you’d like us to share with other families, please let us know by emailing info@schoolfactsboston.org.