Talking to children about COVID-19
● Simple reassurance. Remind children that researchers and doctors are learning as much as they can about the virus and taking steps to keep everyone safe.
● Give them control. It's also a great time to remind your children of what they can do to help – washing their hands often, coughing into a tissue or their sleeves, and getting enough sleep.
● Watch for signs of anxiety. Children may not have the words to express their worry, but you may see signs of it. They may get cranky, be more clingy, have trouble sleeping, or seem distracted. Keep the reassurance going and try to stick to your normal routines.
● Monitor their media. Keep young children away from frightening images they may see on TV, social media, computers, etc. For older children, talk together about what they are hearing on the news and correct any misinformation or rumors you may hear.
● More information from the Boise School District regarding COVID-19 https://www.boiseschools.org/parents___patrons/health_services/coronavirus__covid-19__information___r esources_
Food Pantries & Other Resources
○ Variety of resources including food, clothing, and hygiene items
● Free sack meals will be available for drive-up meal service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following locations: Garfield Elementary (1914 S Broadway Ave) - in front of school Grace Jordan Elementary (6411 W Fairfield Ave) - in front of school
NEW - Hawthorne Elementary (2401 W Targee St) - at the bus loop entrance off Targee St NEW - Hillcrest Elementary (2045 S Pond St) - in front of school NEW - Koelsch Elementary (2015 N Curtis Rd.) - in front of school (NO BUS ROUTE starting 4/6/20)
Morley Nelson Elementary (7701 W Northview St) - at the student drop off loop by Community Center Taft Elementary (3722 N Anderson St) - in front of school Whitney Elementary (1609 S Owyhee St) - at the bus loop drop off near the Community Center entrance Whittier Elementary (301 N 29th St) - at the bus loop entrance
○ Beginning Monday, April 6, 2020 in addition to the Boys & Girls Club’s five current sites, children of healthcare workers, first responders, and essential personnel will now have two additional Boise sites that will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday through Friday:
Hawthorne Elementary School 2401 West Targee Street Boise, ID 83705 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Koelsch Elementary School 2015 North Curtis Road Boise, ID 83706 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All-day child care services will cost just $6 per day. Parents interested in enrolling their children up at the new Club sites may contact:
Hawthorne Club: Wendy Heidric, daclubs.org (208) 954-5034
Koelsch Club: Ben Gangwer at ben@adaclubs.org (208) 954-5034
Safe Hotline
For Boise School District students and families in immediate need, we have launched the SAFE ( Student Aid Fund for Emergencies) hotline. Boise School's social workers and counselors will respond to messages within 48 hours. If your family is requesting basic need assistance, please call 208-472-2233.
Boise Schools Foundation is working with principals and social workers to identify and address immediate needs for families through our SAFE fund. We ask for the community to not drop off food, hygiene or clothing donations directly at schools. The best way to help right now is to make a donation for SAFE at www.boiseschoolsfoundation.com.
Activities to do at Home
Slumberkins resource guides https://slumberkins.com/pages/resource-guides
Watch the Opera https://www.vulture.com/news/metropolitan-opera/
Virtual Museum Tours https://www.parents.com/syndication/museums-with-virtual-tours/
Watch Seattle Symphony seattlesymphony.org
Science Resources https://teachchemistry.org/
Scholastic Learn at Home
Drawing Tutorials for Kids https://www.artforkidshub.com/
Podcast: Reading Bug Adventures https://www.thereadingbug.com/adventures
Podcast: The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian http://www.finncaspian.com/
Boise Public Library Free E-books & Audiobooks https://boise.overdrive.com/
Cincinnati Zoo http://cincinnatizoo.org/