Parent Resource List (COVID-19)

Schools

Take advantage of your child’s online school resources. It is time consuming to sort thru what different teachers are offering. Online classes tend to overlap, so it is important to prioritize which class you want your child to attend. Also recognize that school resources are limited. It is a good idea to find supplemental resources.

After School Programs

Check to see if your elementary school’s after school programs have online offerings. Some are offering online classes.

Critical Child Care

YMCA of the Pikes Peak region has closed their facilities to the general public from Tuesday, March 17 through Thursday, April 30. However, they are currently offering critical child care for  health care and human services providers, critical support staff, and emergency first responders. It is available Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for ages 5 -12 at the Garden Ranch YMCA location. Military mission critical personnel receive a 50% discount. Financial scholarships are available for others who qualify. For critical child care costs and to register please email childcare@ppymca.org or call (719) 329 - 7289.

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit company formed in 2003 that publishes entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools. They rate movies, TV shows, books, and video games. They created a Digital Citizenship Curiculum for schools. Their advocacy platform, Common Sense Kids Action, partners with policymakers, business leaders, and other advocates to highlight legislation related to technology to keep parents and educators informed and to support the youngest and most vulnerable users of technology: kids. Their website is https://www.commonsensemedia.org/.

Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts

No in person troop meetings are being held in Colorado during the statewide COVID-19 shutdown. However, getting your child involved in scouting, or continuing their involvement if they already belong, is one way to reduce their sense of social isolation. Girl Scouts of Colorado has lots of online resources. They have downloadable instructions for girls to earn badges at home. Colorado GS camps are offering virtual spring camps with videos. You can sign your daughter up for a local Girl Scouts troop online if she is not yet a member. Membership is typically $25 for one year and $35 for 18 months plus the cost of uniforms. Email inquiry@gscolorado.org for more information. Be sure to include your name and contact information. Pikes Peak Council, Boy Scouts of American also has online resources, although not quite as many as Girl Scouts. They are hosting a virtual backyard campout on April 17^th and they have other events scheduled. Some local troops accept boys only, and some troops accept both boys and girls. You can sign your child up online if he or she is not yet a member. Membership costs $60 per year plus the cost of uniforms. Their website is http://www.pikespeakbsa.org/.

Pikes Peak Library District

All of the physical libraries are closed but remote services for borrowing books and movies are still available. Their online activities include virtual story times for younger kids, virtual book clubs for older kids and adults, a digital escape room, community movie discussions, at-home crafts and experiments, and a directory of other online resources for kids and teens who are seeking help with different school subjects. Their website is https://ppld.org/.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a social network where people can find inspiration and ideas for their interests and hobbies. Every idea is represented by a Pin, which is an image that is searched and saved by Pinterest users. Pins can also link back to websites. Currently there are multiple postings on Pinterest for “screen free kids activities,” including scavenger hunts, do it yourself bird feeders, and no mess science projects. Joining Pinterest is free. Download the Pinterest app on your smart phone or go to their website at https://www.pinterest.com/.

NAMI

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI typically offers in person community based support groups but they have been put on hold during the statewide shutdown. NAMI currently has well written articles about coping with the global pandemic, including “How to Ease Children’s Anxiety about COVID-19.” They have a video library and access to publications on mental health research. There are resources specifically for teens and young adults, including college students. They also offer online discussion groups. Their website is https://www.nami.org/Home