Thank you
Bronx Community
To the Bronx Community:
Schools are like second homes to the families we serve. As the COVID-19 crisis strikes our borough, children are experiencing an unprecedented transition. That means now more than ever, principals, educators and caregivers have to collaborate in an unprecedented way to provide students the continuity of learning, support and routines they need in these uncertain times.
Most schools – traditional public, charter public and private – have moved to remote learning, a first for many of us. There are many lessons and experiences we can share to make this a successful experience, and Bronx charter public schools want to be part of the solution.
Below, we’ve put together a website of key learning resources for families, tools for instructional leaders and teachers, and service offerings of local organizations that may help families across the borough. We hope you find it helpful.
Despite these challenging times, we all must continue to put students first however we can.
Sincerely,
Resources for Educators
As New York City moves to online classes, here are several helpful resources for teachers across the Bronx to consult while adjusting to remote learning.
- Zearn is an online teaching and learning program created by teachers, for teachers, to help K-5 students learn math.
- Great Minds has released free video lessons for each grade of each of their curricula in math, reading, and science.
- Brainpop is an educational website with over 1,000 animated videos, quizzes and activities for students in grades K-12, covering all subjects.
- Prodigy delivers a unique learning experience through an interactive math game where success depends on correctly answering skill-building math questions.
- Curriculum Associates provides printable at-home activity packs in math and reading for students in grades K-8.
- PBS Learning Media offers a digital toolkit for educators and students with video content, lesson plans and support materials, as well as online training sessions.
- Open Up Resources offers free, downloadable curricula to support digital learning.
- The New York Times is hosting a series of webinars on teaching and learning in response to Covid-19 and school closings.
- Scholastic: 25 Best Websites for Teachers
Resources For Parents
The COVID-19 crisis means that learning at home is more important than ever. A number of online resources – videos, tools, and more – are available to help caregivers ensure their children continue to be educationally enriched.
- Scholastic provides K-12 reading lessons, videos and activities for a wide range of topics.
- New-York Historical Society offers dozens of digital audio and video resources in art and history.
- Fordham Institute has curated a list of resources for learning from home, including educational YouTube channels, TV shows and movies available for streaming, podcasts, and online instructional materials.
- National Geographic gives users access to videos, interactive maps and activities that encourage students to explore a range of topics from ecology to geography.
- Learning Hero Roadmap provides an interactive guide for parents to keep students on track while school is closed. The program focuses on math, reading, life skills and more.
- ReadWriteThink gives users access to activities, games, printouts and more that focus on reading and writing skills for grades K-12.
- Reading Rockets Packs focuses on young learners, pre-K to third grade, and offers families a set of reading adventure packs to encourage hands-on fun and learning.
- The 74 Million has some excellent online resources in this story.
Community Support
The coronavirus pandemic is no doubt having a human impact on those who need our support most. Fortunately, there are organizations throughout the Bronx that are ready to help those in need during this crisis.
- BronxWorks provides essential services like food and housing to New Yorkers with the greatest need.
- FreshYouth Initiatives offers contact information for affiliated Bronx shelters and mental health hotlines.
- Meals on Wheels delivers meals and provides support to seniors in the community.
- Red Rabbit is distributing meals daily in front of Public Prep school locations (full schedule here).
- Mamajuana Cafe is giving out free meals to children in the Bronx while schools remain closed.
- POTS Bronx is a multiservice agency in the Bronx that nourishes the basic needs and hunger of those in need. They have daily programs to provide food and services to guests.
Press
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Chalkbeat: Bronx Educator on the Two Traits That Will Make You a Better At-Home Teacher
The Friday before New York City schools closed for at least a month — and possibly for the rest of the academic year — Michael Urda spent the day holding parent-teacher conferences. Those meetings took place not face-to-face in Urda’s Bronx classroom, but over the...
Bronx Times: Charter Schools Leaders on the Launch of Virtual Learning During COVID-19
With preparations made weeks in advance, charter schools in the Bronx charters began virtual learning two weeks ago. Miriam Raccah, executive director of Bronx Charter School for the Arts, 950 Longfellow Ave. and Lester Long, executive director of South Bronx...
BronxNet: Public Prep CEO on the Benefits of Remote Learning
OPEN Host Daren Jaime sits with the CEO of Public Prep Charter Schools, Ian Rowe to talk about how the schools are transitioning to remote learning.
PIX-11: Bronx Charter School for the Arts on Preparations for Remote Learning Amid School Closures
With New York City's kids at home now due to COVID-19 school closures, teachers are starting to do virtual lessons with them, so they can still learn from home. Zoe-Raiyne, 5, is at home, but in school. Tuesday, she got her learning packets and pencils and listened...