Thank you
Bronx Community
At dozens of charter public schools and district schools, educators are showing up for our kids. Now, let’s show up for them. Sign your name to thank local teachers.
Dear Bronx Community:
After a long sixteen months, we’re launching a new school-year – and we are ready for learning! Despite the uncertainty around the return to schools, Bronx charter schools couldn’t be more excited about the months ahead. Though the pandemic is not behind us, we know that students and their families need our support and our public charter schools are working to deliver just that and more.
Since last March, the entire Bronx community has shown incredible resilience and perseverance while facing historic challenges, and this year will require the same. Schools continue to serve as anchors for our communities and second homes for our families, and we all must work together — teachers, caregivers, elected officials, neighborhood leaders, and more — on behalf of our students. This moment demands no less, and we’re excited about the possibilities this new school year will bring.
We are vaxxed, masked and ready for learning.
Thank you.
SIGN YOUR NAME TO THANK BRONX TEACHERS
Instructional Tools & LeaRning Resources
With many more children now having access to the internet and technological devices, there are many online resources that can help educators and families reimagine learning, so that children can embrace learning anytime, anyplace.
- The New York Public Library offers free resources, including Remote Learning Resources, After School Activities & Resources, English Learning Resources, One-on-One Tutoring, and more.
- The International Children’s Digital Library offers free digitized books in multiple languages including Arabic, Dutch, French, Greek, Hindi, Chinese, and more.
- Supplement academic learning with creative activities from the world’s best artists and educators on Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom. Learn to dance, make your own creative instrument, compose music, and more.
- The White House Historical Society offers virtual education resources including resource packets, reading lists, videos, and a digital library of the White House.
- New York State also offers a comprehensive list of virtual arts events for all ages.
Social-Emotional & Mental Health Resources
A variety of social-emotional learning resources are available for teachers and caregivers in support of students.
- Learn more about social emotional learning (SEL) and 25 learning activities that promote student well-being.
- Along is a new free digital SEL tool for teachers to check in with each student using multimedia tools. Students are able to respond back directly with video, audio, or text.
- Positiveaction.com offers over 30 different SEL games and activities for teachers and students ages 4-18.
- A comprehensive list of mental health apps, support groups and organizations, websites and online content is available on Teach.com.
- MentalHealth.gov offers educators tips on how to recognize behaviors in students and design classrooms for a more positive and safe school environment.
- NYC Well offers free, confidential 24/7 Talk. Text. Chat support those dealing with problems like stress, depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol use. Interpreters are available in 200+ languages.
KEY FACTS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINES
Schools everywhere and especially in the Bronx have been deeply affected by COVID-19. To effectively and safely have all of our kids back into physical classrooms, we must vaccinate as many members of our community as possible.
Throughout March, Bronx public charter schools partnered with local physicians from SOMOS Community Care – a network of over 2,500 medical providers in the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn – to host bilingual virtual forums for school staff, students, parents, and families where they discussed commonly asked questions, addressed concerns and dispelled myths about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Information from those forums is available in English here and in Spanish here, and more key facts about the COVID-19 vaccines are available at the SOMOS Community Care website.
Additional Resources for Teachers
As vaccine distribution expands, there are resources for families and teachers to learn more about the vaccine timeline, eligibility, and appointment scheduling.
- In the Bronx, Borough President Diaz’s office has set up a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments page for more information about local borough appointments.
- To check your eligibility to receive the vaccine and find distribution sites, you can visit the official New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Page, NYC Health and Hospitals, or SOMOS Vaccinations for the current and upcoming timelines for eligibility, as well as information about appointments and scheduling options.
- New York City’s Vaccine Finder displays both city- and privately-run locations like pharmacies and local clinics on a map, detailing vaccines available at each site, scheduling options and directions.
WHY I GOT THE SHOT
Press
NY1: Food Box Distribution in the Bronx
As COVID-19 continues to impact The Bronx, Bronx Charter School for the Arts hosts a community food distribution event.
Univision: Combaten Desinformacion Acerca De La Vacuna Contra El Covid-19
Public Prep and SOMOS Community Care host virtual session to combat misinformation around vaccines.
The Riverdale Press: Lessons learned with 100 days of in-person learning
Dr. Elaine Ruiz Lopez, Chief Executive Officer and founder of International Leadership Charter School reflects on 100 days of in-person learning.
News12: International Leadership Charter School Celebrates 100 Days of In-Person Learning
Despite difficulties during the pandemic, International Leadership Charter School celebrated 100 Days of In-Person Learning.
Univision: Redoblan Esfuerzos Para Continuar Con Educacion En Persona
International Leadership Charter High School celebrates 100 days of in-person leaving
New York Daily News: NYC charter school enrollment continues to steadily grow amid COVID pandemic
Bronx Charter School leaders, including David Noah from Comp Sci High School, speak on the growth of charters during the pandemic.
1010 WINS News Radio: President Biden Inaugural Speech was Listened to in Spanish at a School in the Bronx
Joe Biden's inaugural speech filled the cafeteria at the American Dream Academy in the South Bronx.
WNBC: Teaching the Inauguration
Students at the American Dream Charter School absorbed the message of the day.
Chalkbeat: Inauguration Day 2021: Here are Some Ways U.S. Teachers Plan to Approach the Historic Moment
The American Dream School in the Bronx is hosting a schoolwide inauguration watch party by streaming the event, said Felix Sanchez, a 12th grade government teacher. The school’s student council and government classes will facilitate by asking trivia questions about...
CBS 2: Bronx School’s Inauguration Watch Party Leaves Students Awestruck And Eager To Take Part In Democracy
The lesson at American Dream Charter High School was not about looking back at the past, but rather experiencing history in the making.