COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates
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As information around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) develops, we will update information below for our families, parents, students and staff on this page.
Grab-n-Go Breakfast & Lunch | Academic Packets & Online Learning | Additional Supports for ESE (Special Education) Students
COVID-19 Letters, Statements & Press Releases | COVID-19 Prevention & Resources | COVID-19 Podcasts
If you or somebody you know is experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath, with possible exposure to someone who has traveled or potentially been exposed to COVID19, please seek immediate medical help and contact:
- Detroit Health Department: 313-876-4000, 24 hours a day
- State of Michigan MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-535-6136, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COVID-19 Letters, Statements & Press Releases
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Update #13 - March 23, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Food Distribution Plan
DPSCD has restructured their original student and family distribution plan to address the continued health concerns highlighted by the Governor’s latest “shelter in place” mandate and to better protect the health of employees. This plan will increase the number of meals offered to families and the number of meals offered throughout the week.
Beginning on Thursday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., a revised list of 17 schools (see below) will offer students/families a bag of four pre-cooked breakfast meals and four pre-cooked lunches, and learning packet pick up. Food and learning packet distribution will continue every subsequent Monday and Thursday at the 17 schools. On Monday, three pre-cooked breakfast meals will be provided along with three pre-cooked lunches. On Thursdays, once again, four pre-cooked breakfasts and lunches will be provided. Students/families can pick up the food at any of the 17 sites.
Monday and Thursday door to door delivery will still take place for medically fragile DPSCD students.
UPDATED SCHOOL LOCATION LIST
- DENBY
- EAST ENGLISH VILLAGE PREP HS
- FISHER UPPER
- LAW
- KING HIGH SCHOOL
- PERSHING
- SOUTHEASTERN
- BRENDA SCOTT
- CASS
- CENTRAL/DURFEE
- WRIGHT, CHARLES
- CODY HS
- DOUGLASS ACADEMY
- MUMFORD
- MUNGER
- RENAISSANCE
- WESTERN
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Update #12 - March 23, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Shelter In Place - Gov. Whitmer Update
Download Executive Order: EO 2020-21 Stay Home, Stay Safe.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2020
Media Contact: BrownT56@michigan.govGovernor Whitmer Signs “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order
Governor directs all non-critical businesses to temporarily close, all Michiganders to stay home or six feet away from others during COVID-19 crisisLANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order (EO 2020-21), directing all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.
Effective at 12:01 am on March 24, 2020, for at least the next three weeks, individuals may only leave their home or place of residence under very limited circumstances, and they must adhere to social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when they do so, including remaining at least six feet from people from outside the individual’s household to the extent feasible under the circumstances.
“In just 13 days, we’ve gone from 0 to over 1,000 COVID-19 cases,” said Governor Whitmer. “This is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us working together to protect our families and our communities. The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home. I know this will be hard, but it will be temporary. If we all come together, get serious, and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.”
“Taking aggressive action to protect our communities is the most important thing we can do to mitigate further spread of COVID-19,” said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “If we do this now, we can make sure our hospitals and healthcare workers are prepared to take care of the sickest people. It is crucial that people do the right thing by staying home and staying safe.”
Executive Order 2020-21 prohibits all businesses and operations from requiring workers to leave their homes, unless those workers are necessary to sustain or protect life or to conduct minimum basic operations. Businesses and operations are to designate the workers that meet those criteria, and must adopt social distancing practices and other mitigation measures to protect workers and patrons in the performance of that necessary in-person work.
Workers that are necessary to sustain or protect life include those in health care and public health, law enforcement and public safety, grocery store workers, and more. For a full list of these critical infrastructure workers, click the link to Executive Order 2020-21 at the bottom of this page.
Additionally, under Executive Order 2020-21, all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons outside a single household are temporarily prohibited. People may leave the house to perform for limited, necessary purposes, and may engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running, cycling, or any other recreational activity, consistent with remaining at least six feet from people from outside a person’s household and with other restrictions imposed by prior executive orders.
Michigan is currently in the top five states in the nation in number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Several governors across the country have taken similar steps to protect their communities from the spread of COVID-19, including governors Mike DeWine (R-OH), Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), Tom Wolf (D-PA), Gavin Newsom (D-CA), John Bel Edwards (D-LA), Phil Murphy (D-NJ), and Ned Lamont (D-CT).
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is:
- If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM - 5PM daily.
Michiganders can apply for unemployment benefits if they have left work or taken a leave of absence because of self-isolation or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 due to being immunocompromised, displaying the symptoms of COVID-19, having contact in the last 14 days with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, the need to care for someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or a family care responsibility as a result of a government directive. Those temporarily laid off from work should apply for unemployment benefits online at www.michigan.gov/UIA or 1-866-500-0017.
Governor Whitmer is working to ensure that children who rely on the food provided by schools will have the resources they need. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has developed an online map for families to find meals. Families can access the map at: https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/.
On March 19, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the governor’s request for a statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration, opening the opportunity to small businesses to access low-interest loans from the SBA. The application for disaster loan assistance is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. For businesses looking for more information on how to apply for an SBA EIDL loan or whether it is something they should consider, visit michiganbusiness.org/covid19.
To view executive order 2020-21, click the link below:
This press release will be translated and made available in Arabic and Spanish at www.michigan.gov/whitmer.
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Update #11 - March 12, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Superintendent Letter to State of Michigan
March 23, 2020
Download:Letter _Open Letter to MI Leaders on Public Ed during COVID-19 Crisis
RE: Open Letter to Michigan Leaders on Public Education during COVID-19 Crisis
Dear Michigan Leaders,
I hope this letter/email finds you and your family in good health. Let me begin by thanking Governor Whitmer for her strong and reflective leadership during these difficult times. Although her decision to close schools for three weeks was not an easy decision, it was the right one. She made that decision by listening to those on the ground who were seeing the unconfirmed COVID-19 cases surfacing and how it was only a matter of time until confirmed cases would cause unprecedented health concerns and chaos among school employees, children, and families, within schools across the State.
As the Superintendent who represents the largest school district in the State and as a leader who has seen the rising challenges that COVID-19 is causing in the largest city in the State, I ask that you read this letter/email with the same openness that the Governor demonstrated two weeks ago when the issue of closing schools was in front of her.
Since that time, Detroit Public Schools Community District has implemented measures to ensure that we continue to educate and empower our students and families every day. The District has taken the following actions:
- After sanitization, we promptly opened 58 schools to serve as “Grab & Go” meal sites that distribute breakfast, lunch, and printed learning materials by grade and subject.
- We have served about 70,000 meals in the first three days and provided access to over 41,000 printed learning packets to all Detroit students, regardless of enrollment location.
- We launched www.detroitk12.org/covid19 to provide relevant information regarding District programs and services. There have been over 16,000 unique visits to the academics area of this page.
- Through District single sign-on applications, we provide access to iReady (K-8 math and reading lessons tailored to each student based on work already completed during the academic year), myOn (tailored access to age appropriate reading materials for elementary students), and for High School students access to Khan Academy for SAT/PSAT practice.
- District staff made personal calls to about 80% of our District families, that work will continue this week, and the District’s Homework Hotline provides one-to-one tutoring assistance by certified teachers for the full academic day and into the evening.
This week, we will begin offering video instruction for families tied to the learning packets that can be accessed from any smart device. For those with access to a computer, we will also be designing specific lessons in ELA and Math in the iReady portal. In order to continue and expand the robust initiatives already occurring, I have outlined this letter in a simple format that states the issue, explains the problem, and proposes a solution for your earnest and immediate action.
Recommendation #1: Close Schools until Next School Year and Require Enrichment through Online Learning
School districts need guidance to determine how to best leverage limited resources to support students. For example, do we need to plan to make up lost instructional days? Does this extended closure mean an extended year into the summer? Do we attempt to salvage the rest of the school year by shifting all resources to an online learning platform? Do we prioritize learning for graduating seniors? The list of questions is endless. This crisis grows worse daily. If we project our future based on trends in other countries that have been battling COVID-19 for a longer period of time, then we must come to realize that we will be fortunate if degrees of societal normalcy return by June. With that said, it is best to officially close schools until next school year. Other states have already made this decision. How can we possibly justify opening earlier if other states have closed schools? Family and employee health anxiety is too high to have students return to school prematurely. Opening too early will lead to numerous challenges, mainly extreme levels of student and employee absences that will undermine the expected learning experience in schools.
Declare schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. Require all districts to develop an online learning platform within a reasonable amount of time. This can include distributing laptops with internet access to families. (This will require the flexibility to use federal and state education funds differently and support from the business and philanthropic community.) Lessons can be prerecorded via video and posted online by grade level and subject area. Similar to higher education online learning platforms, teachers can post lessons on district websites and students will submit coursework through cloud storage solutions or email. The learning process should be considered enrichment for students, not required since it will be impossible to ensure equal access to all students. However, districts should be required to offer the learning opportunities just the same. Requiring that students submit assignments would disadvantage those who are in homes where survival is priority right now (employment, access to food and maintaining stable housing), not learning from home. There are also significant challenges for students with disabilities being required to learn independently from home without direct face-to-face support.
The legislative rumors of requiring students to continue credit attainment through virtual school or pure online learning with no time for transition would be disastrous. Such a decision would leave behind thousands of students who would not have the family support structure to navigate through the faceless and nameless bureaucracy of virtual education. There would be no accountability or oversight for learning. History has shown in states such as Indiana and California that virtual learning academies have been plagued with scandal, including misuse of funds, inaccurate data reporting and enrollment inflation. While the Michigan education system must continue to forge ahead into the 21st century and increase its use of technology, there remains a digital divide in over 50% of Michigan’s households. One only needs to understand the travesty of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) to realize that rapid, untested changes in systems with required online learning hurts children, namely those who are economically vulnerable. To this day we continue to see how students lost required skills, knowledge and credits as a result of the failed experiment to shift an entire sector of the population to an experimental and untested system of learning. The consequences would be even greater for the entire State. The solution here is continuing learning opportunities that are enrichment based, not required.
Recommendation #2 Continuation of Full Funding from the State for the Remainder of Fiscal Year 2020
Through the commitment to fully fund school districts based on the Spring FTE count until the end of this fiscal year, all school districts will ensure the full employment of salaried and hourly employees. This will allow school districts to develop and implement online learning platforms to continue to provide students with structured learning opportunities during this crisis. It will also allow school districts to feed students and families. In addition to the academic benefit, this reduces the economic downturn of the State’s economy by ensuring that district and school employees are employed and continue to have a paycheck and health insurance. This model also allows school districts to transition into the fall smoothly to prepare for the next school year.
Layoffs and/or salary reductions will create undue havoc for school districts as they attempt to provide a return to normalcy for children and staff during this crisis. Laid off employees would lose their health insurance and be forced to file for unemployment—shifting the burden back on the State and causing a considerable hardship for families during a public health crisis. If the Legislature does not fully fund school districts for the rest of the fiscal year, then layoffs and/or salary reductions are inevitable. Eventually, this will also cause many smaller districts to close due to deficits now or for the upcoming school year. This will only create more uncertainly in our entire state.
Recommendation #3 Ensure that Graduating Seniors are Promoted and Receive Credits
Current seniors should be able to graduate based on the number of credits that are required minus their last semester. If additional credits were planned to be obtained during the last semester then those can be obtained through summer school or waived by school districts. School districts, through teachers and parents, should decide which students are promoted to the next grade based on their academic status prior to closure. Middle and high school students should be required a semester less of credits moving forward based on this crisis and assuming school resumes in the fall. School districts should be required to offer courses through summer school in subsequent years if a student or parents would like to make up credits or courses that were planned to be taken during this past semester that were lost.
In summary, I appreciate the time you have taken to read this open letter. It is written to offer you practical solutions to real problems that we are all responsible for solving. Our State is facing unprecedented challenges, and our students, teachers, and families are looking for decisive answers. Our District will continue to provide instructional support and meals to our students in the coming weeks, however, we must ensure that funding will remain available in order to provide these services and pay our employees. Please do not delay in action. Do not take another recess before making hard decisions. This crisis is not improving. Your proper action will provide school districts clarity on how to ensure more normalcy and calm to communities. Lastly, do not act based on politics or ideologue. No one has time for that right now. The systems, processes, and infrastructures are not in place for large scale shifts to required online learning, a forced early return to school, or private/public virtual school.
I am here to problem solve with you through these difficult times. You can reach me at Nikolai.vitti@detroitk12.org or (313) 873-7922.
Sincerely,
Nikolai P. Vitti, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Detroit Public Schools Community Districtcc: Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist
State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice
Michigan State Board of Education
Governors K-12 Policy Team
Michigan State Senators
Michigan State House of Representatives
Detroit Caucus
Detroit Board of Education
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
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Per notification from local health department officials, the following are confirmed COVID-19 cases within Detroit Public Schools Community District:
Date
School Name
Number - Type
3/14/2020
Osborn High School
1 - Staff
3/23/2020
Randolph Career Tech Center
1 - Contractor
DPSCD’s communication protocol regarding confirmed cases will include listing each instance above, direct notification to the school or central office department staff via email, and a follow up robocall/text to the location’s staff and families. All direct notifications will be listed in the COVID-19 Letters, Statements & Press Releases section below. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Breakfast/Lunch and Academic Packet Pick-Up Locations
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DPSCD has restructured their original student and family distribution plan to address the continued health concerns highlighted by the Governor’s latest “shelter in place” mandate and to better protect the health of employees. This plan will increase the number of meals offered to families and the number of meals offered throughout the week.
Beginning on Thursday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., a revised list of 17 schools (see below) will offer students/families a bag of four pre-cooked breakfast meals and four pre-cooked lunches. Food distribution will continue every subsequent Monday and Thursday at the 17 schools. On Monday, three pre-cooked breakfast meals will be provided along with three pre-cooked lunches. On Thursdays, once again, four pre-cooked breakfasts and lunches will be provided. Students/families can pick up the food at any of the 17 sites. Monday and Thursday door to door delivery will still take place for medically fragile DPSCD students.
- DENBY
- EAST ENGLISH VILLAGE PREP HS
- FISHER UPPER
- LAW
- KING HIGH SCHOOL
- PERSHING
- SOUTHEASTERN
- BRENDA SCOTT
- CASS
- CENTRAL/DURFEE
- WRIGHT, CHARLES
- CODY HS
- DOUGLASS ACADEMY
- MUMFORD
- MUNGER
- RENAISSANCE
- WESTERN
Instruction During COVID-19 Closure
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As the District is closed in response to COVID-19, we are committed to continuing to support your students' learning. The District offers a number of ways for students to engage in learning even while they are away from school.
The recommended activities below will not take the place of regular classroom instruction but will supplement student learning at home. Assignments will not be required or graded. These activities are meant to provide optional opportunities for student learning while they are absent from school. We encourage families to continue student learning at home.
DOWNLOAD ACADEMIC PACKETS HERE: At-Home Activity Packs
- At-Home Activity Packs - Independent practice for K-8 Mathematics, Literacy, Social Studies, and Science. These can be printed for students to complete at home and include a Parent Guide for Mathematics. These packets will also be available for pick-up at the same schools providing Grab-n-Go breakfast and lunch.
ONLINE LEARNING:
- Khan Academy - Independent practice and guided learning for: K-12 Mathematics and Literacy; 9-12 Science and Social Studies, AP, and SAT
- MyOn - Large library of online books with built-in reading supports.
- i-Ready - Independent practice for K-8 Mathematics and Literacy.
- Newsela - News and events articles at a range of reading levels.
Accessing Online Resources
Many online learning applications are available through Clever. For more information about logging in to Clever, please see the Clever Login Instructions (Espanol, Arabic, Bengali).
- For additional information about the District's online learning resources please see the Online Learning page.
Consider setting a schedule for your student
We recommend providing structure for your student. At school, students get used to their days following a certain structure. Communicating to your child that they will have a structure to follow for the next several weeks will set expectations and set everyone up to make the most out of this period of time.
Click here to access sample schedules:
Homework Hotline
Due to the COVID-19 3-week closure, the District is offering hours during the day for our Homework Hotline.
Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 - Friday, April 3, 2020 the hours will be as follows:
- Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday - 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Contact The Hotline: call 1-833-466-3978 during operating hours
In accordance with MDE guidance and requirements for students with IEPs, DPSCD will have ESE (certified Special Education Teachers) available via the Homework Hotline.
Students: Learn about the Coronavirus
Click below to learn more about the science behind the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how viruses spread
K-5 Resources
- The Sneeze: How germs spread
- Mystery Science lessons about germs and viruses
- Myth Busters: The Safe Sneeze
- Corona Virus Q and A
6-12 Resources
Additional Web and Online Resources for DPSCD Students with Exceptional Learning Needs
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General Information Around Understanding COVID-19 and Illness
The information below includes learning opportunities being provided to ALL Detroit Public School Community District students. Please note the Homework Hotline is available to ALL Students and may be reached by calling 1-833-466-3978 during operating hours or visiting the website page at www.detroitk12.org/homeworkhotline.
Visual Impairment - Braille or Enlargement Needs
- Please email Richard.gregory@detroitk12.org Visual Impaired Program Supervisor
Occupational and Physical Therapy
- Occupational and Physical Therapy Resources from Handwriting Without Tears: Occupational and Physical Therapy Resources
Children in Programs with Moderate to Severe Needs
- Instructions on how to access Attainment HUB: Attainment HUB Instructions for Interactive Learning
- MOCI and SCI COVID-19 Student and Teacher Resource List: MOCI & SCI
- Follow this link for access to K-5 digital resources through Attainment: Attainment's K-5 Digital Resources
- Follow this link for access to 6-12 digital resources through Attainment: Attainment’s 6-12 Digital Resources
Student and Families of our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programs
- American Sign Language (ASL and Vocabulary Practice and Development)
- Sign School: www.signschool.com
- Checking Hearing/Audiology Equipment:
- Center For Disease (CDC) Parents Guide to Hearing Loss: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/parentsguide/hearingloss/intervention-support.html
Learners Using Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
- This is guidance for use of AAC Devices in the home for families and students with limited language and/or comprehension ability: https://www.assistiveware.com/blog/language-opportunities-using-aac-home
- Video of Tips for parents of learners who use AAC Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-t5HdcM84E&feature=youtu.be
- AAC for Caregivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Ko9PitsvA
Resources for Students with Speech & Language Needs
- Circle-Time: Provides live, interactive “Mommy and Me” classes that are convenient (and engaging) for parents and (fun and) educational for children. Every group session is led by a certified subject-matter expert. The hands-on sessions are evidence-based and promote healthy play activities that continue beyond the class. https://circletimefun.com/
- Articulation and Phonology: Online Articulation Games: (elementary/middle): https://www.quia.com/pages/khornig/sayitright
- Online Language and Articulation Games - Elementary & Middle School levels: https://www.quia.com/pages/playandlearn.html
- Library of Online Speech and Language Resources for Home Practice: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1o4Pij3wBbsJD83R2F7iqNM8Gy3QCgPezHHGdiW5gcpQ/mobilebasic
- Vocabulary Spelling City - Free access - Enter code: VSCFree90 upon registration on website.www.spellingcity.com
- Speech-Language Online Resources and Free Apps: Speech-Language Online Resources and Free Apps
- Speech-Language Resources for Home Practice: Speech-Language for Home Practice
Resources for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Challenging Behavior Toolkit and Videos: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/challenging-behaviors-tool-kit
- Support for Siblings of Students with Autism: https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/siblings-guide-autism
- Understanding What A Social Story Is And How to Use Them: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/social-stories-for-autistic-children/
- Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (Social Stories): https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/social-stories/
- Toddlers with Autism (Ages 0-5): https://asdtoddler.fpg.unc.edu/
- The Autism Tool Kit contains resources to help children, teens, and adults with autism interact successfully at home, in school, and in the workplace.
- This resource includes downloadable PDFs and helpful links for parents & families: http://autism-support.org/autism-resources/autism-tool-kit
- The link below includes a list of communication apps, organization apps, and educational apps for individuals with autism and other special needs: http://autism-support.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/iPhone-iPod-Touch-Apps-for-Special-Ed.pdf]
- Autism Tool Kit Links:
- Click the link and scroll down to see an extensive collection of free Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) cards: http://trainland.tripod.com/pecs.htm
- Free Printable Autism Communication Cards:
- These free autism communication cards are perfect for making your own schedules, social stories, and talking cards: http://www.dotolearn.com/picturecards/printcards/index.htm
- Free Printable Emotion and Behavior Cards:
- Print out these cards to communicate about hygiene, housekeeping, scheduling, and emotions/self-management: http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/AutismVisualPrintablePictures.aspx
- Story Builder - Free Social Stories Generator:
- Story Builder is a free software program that lets you create and print your own social stories: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/inn/usabilityservices/download2.htm
- How to Write Your Own Social Stories:
- Social stories are easy to create once you understand how they work. This site tells you how to write your own social stories: http://www.autism-help.org/communication-social-stories-autism.htm
Early Intervention - Ages Birth to Three Years
- Have favorite stories read to you/your child by movie stars: https://www.storylineonline.net/
- ABCya! - Practice math and reading skills www.seussville.com Suessville Read play games with Dr. Suess and his friends: www.abcya.com
- PBS Kids - Hanging out with favorite characters while learning: www.pbs.org
- Toddlers with Autism: https://asdtoddler.fpg.unc.edu/
Early Childhood Preschool - Ages 2.6 Years through 5 Years Old
- Toddlers with Autism: https://asdtoddler.fpg.unc.edu/
- Switcheroozoo: Watch, listen & play games to learn all about amazing animals. Promotes Language and vocabulary development: www.switcheroozoo.com
- PBS Kids: Vocabulary & language development: https://pbskids.org
- Storyline Online: https://www.storylineonline.net
- Online Literacy Resources: Read aloud, Storytime, sing-along & more: https://growingbookbybook.com
- Reading Skill Building Ages 3 & up: https://www.squigglepark.com/
- Scholastic: Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
- YouTube Early Childhood Preschool Outcomes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWk3SjKRAs
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Links for Exceptional Learners
- 25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children & Teens (+Tips): https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/
- 10 Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids: https://leftbrainbuddha.com/10-ways-teach-mindfulness-to-kids/
- Positive Behavioral Supports at home from the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS):https://www.apbs.org/about/families
- Positive Behavior Support Resource: https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/social-stories/
Mental Health Resources for All Learners
- Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA): https://dwihn.org/ or call 1-800-241-4949
- Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
- Mental Health. Gov Link: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/
- USA National Suicide Hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433
- U.S.A. Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233/TTY 1-800-787-3224
Math and Reading Activities for Exceptional Learners
Primarily for Students with Developmental Disabilities - Autism, Cognitive, Early Childhood Developmental Delay, etc.
- Math Activities for Younger Students:
- practice counting items around the home or in the yard (count pennies, spoons, socks as you fold laundry, etc.)
- practice adding and subtracting with items (have students label the number of items)
- work on simple money skills (identifying coins, adding and subtracting coins if they can)
- practice recognizing shapes around the house and outside
- draw and color a certain number of items
- Math Activities for Student Who Can Multiply/Divide:
- use playing cards to set up multiplication and division problems
- draw different shapes and label them
- measure things around the house
- help prepare meals and measure ingredients
- practice following multi-step directions
- Reading/ELA for Younger Students:
- have someone read to them and listen and retell the story in their own words
- identify different letters and sounds in story/article
- name the first sounds of items around the house
- practice writing their names and letters they know
- engage in conversation about anything – talk a lot
- describe how something tastes, feels, colors they see, how does something feel in their hand
- tell you a make-believe story and draw a picture about it
- Reading/ELA for Older Students:
- write about what they are doing
- write a make-believe story
- write a poem, song, rap, cartoon, comic strip
- orally tell you a story or describe what you are doing
- practice multi-step directions
COVID-19 Podcast
COVID-19 Prevention & Resources
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The best defense against any contagious illness is frequent and effective handwashing and seeking immediate medical assistance if experiencing symptoms.
Below are recommendations that we included in our letters to families and staff.
- Washing your hands with soap and water.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoiding contact with people who are sick.
- Staying home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider.
Please refer to the links below for the most current information on taking precautions, symptoms, and situation updates.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC COVID-19 Link: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
- CDC Steps to Prevent Illness: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html
- CDC Protect your family: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/protect/index.html
- CDC Guidance for Schools: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools-faq.html
- CDC Talking With Your Child about COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Resources and Links
- MDHHS COVID-19 Link: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
- MDHHS COVID-19 What to do if you have been exposed: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/Person_Exposure_Final_3-25-2020_684832_7.pdf
- MDHHS COVID-19 Link for Childcare & School Administrators: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98157---,00.html
- MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-535-6136, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week
- 2-1-1 Hotline: Please dial 2-1-1 to get connected to available mental health resource in your area. Michigan 2-1-1 is a free service that connects Michigan residents with help and answers from thousands of health and human services agencies and resources right in their communities—quickly, easily, and confidentially.
Detroit Health Department
- DHD Link: detroitmi.gov/health
- DHD Hotline: 313-876-4000, 24 hours a day; email: dhdoutbreak@detroitmi.gov
- DHD COVID-19: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19
Online Mental Health Services
Community Care Services provides outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment for children, teens, and adults in Southeastern Michigan online through Telehealth. Telehealth will connect you to treatment through your computer, tablet or smartphone. A phone call option is available for those without internet access. For telehealth assistance, or to schedule an intake appointment visit Community Care Services at comcareserv.org/ or call 313-389-7500.
