Click on the resource that you are interested in viewing.
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General OUSD Distance Learning Information:
- OUSD Distance Learning Information: Here you can find a message from Chief Academic Officer of Oakland Unified School District, Sondra Aguilera and links for OUSD Distance Learning
- OUSD Chromebook Help Guide for Families
- Internet Access Options for Families
- OUSD Distance Learning Support Survey - Provide feedback or share ideas about how we can help.
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COVID-19/Coronavirus Information
Recent Updates: OUSD COVID-19 Information: https://www.ousd.org/Page/19049
- Coronavirus: FAQ for Parents in English and Spanish (KidsHealth)
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus.html
- https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/coronavirus-esp.html?WT.ac=pairedLink
- Coronavirus: Fact sheets in 24 languages (Ontario, Canada). Note: some resources are specific to Ontario but the information is helpful for minority language speakers.
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus#section-11
- Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Getting Your Household Ready: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html#resources
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Mental Health Resources
- Crisis Text Line Text the word HOME to 741-741 for support (national resource: Crisis Text Line Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJaLZGDwYiI
Text this number if you are in an emotional crisis and needing support. If you feel unsafe, please call 911.
- Parent Support and Resource Hotline: Family Paths 1-800-829-3777
Our 24-Hour Parent Support & Resource Hotline provides free and confidential counseling, information and referrals to anyone in need of parenting support. You have access to caring hotline counselors for anonymous calls at any time, or schedule regular callbacks to support you with your parenting or family concerns. We also can refer you to Family Paths’ services and 900+ Alameda County resources.
- ACCESS Line: ACCESS Line for families with Medi-cal insurance. Call this hotline to get connected to counseling or other mental health services.http://www.acbhcs.org/providers/Access/access.htm
- OUSD EAP/Mental Health Resources for OUSD Staff: Teacher and Staff Wellness Resource Teachers and staff can use this resource to connect to counseling and other wellness resources.
- Bay Area Resource Link Hub: Bay Area Resource Links Connect to services and support by category. https://awesome-table.com/-Kl05RmQhlY5Pv2nqWvk/view
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Food Resources
In OUSD Schools: For all students in OUSD and any Oakland children under 18.
During the closure, our Nutrition Services Department will open twelve schools throughout the city where “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch meals will be available for our students. The sites listed below will be open at the following times and children will be able to pick up multiple days worth of food to take home.
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Monday: 8:00-12:00 (3 breakfasts/3 lunches per student)
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Thursday: 8:00-12:00 (2 breakfasts/2 lunches per student)
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Food is available to all OUSD students, and any Oakland child under 18 years old.
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Please bring a grocery bag or cooler to bring food home for the week.
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Northwest/West Oakland: Sankofa Elementary, West Oakland Middle School and Hoover Elementary
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Central Oakland: Oakland High School and Garfield Elementary
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East Oakland: Bret Harte Middle School, Life Academy/United for Success, Coliseum College Preparatory Academy, Madison Park Upper, Fremont High School, Castlemont High School, and Elmhurst United Middle School
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The student does not need to be present but the family will need to provide the student’s name, grade level, and school.
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Find a Food Pantry Near You https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/ca-oakland
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Local Wiki-Free Eats in Oakland (need to call to confirm current capacity)
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Financial Support
This resource below has information in English and Spanish for families who are being economically disadvantaged by COVID-19 and has steps to receiving money from the government if, for example, they work at a restaurant which needed to close due to the pandemic or they cannot work because they are home to take care of an affected family member.
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Internet Resources
Comcast is offering free/reduced-price internet for those of low-income who are forced to work or study remotely due to COVID-19. Information here
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General Information about Community Services
Call 211 (Phone lines answered 24/7) or use their website to find services
Bay Area Shelter In Place Order→ Bay Area Shelter In Place Information
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Common Sense Media: Family Time & Stress Management
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Family time
When kids are stressed, they're going to need even more chances to chill out, so this might be a time to relax rules about entertainment media. And while tweens and teens don't always tell you that they need your support, they do. Watching movies or playing games together can be an easy way to be together in a low-stress way. Here are some ideas.
Jackbox Party Packs are collections of games that groups can play using individual devices (phones, tablets, laptops). You can download the game via providers such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Comcast Xfinity X1, and the game network Steam—and then play it from the couch. You can even invite friends and family from afar to join the game while video-chatting. Also try:
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Apps to play with family/friends near and far: Draw Something, Trivia Crack, Words with Friends
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Streaming movies: Netflix: Here are all the best movies streaming right now.
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TV to watch with all ages: Shows that are good for kids of different ages to watch together
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Games that use your tablet as a gameboard: Forbidden Desert, Uno, and Tsuro
Staying healthy and managing stress:
We realize that the current national response to the COVID-19 pandemic impacts all areas of your lives as you face not only school closures, but business closures, event cancellations, and isolation from friends and loved ones. It is important to find ways to remain calm, stay positive, and manage stress during this time to remain healthy and feel good. Below are tips and suggestions for maintaining a healthy body and mind:
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Stay informed.
Being accurately informed will decrease worry and stress and allow you to respond productively. The CDC has put together a list of the most important facts to know, and how to best protect yourself. Seek news from reliable sources, and take breaks appropriately. Excessive updates and misinformation can cause stress and undue panic. -
Stay active and eat well.
Go for runs, do yoga, take walks, and stay active. It is great for both physical and mental health. If you can, maintain a healthy diet. Eating well is the best way to maintain a strong immune system. However, we understand and appreciate that access to produce and fresh fruit is not always possible! Eat as best you can, and don’t stress. -
Stay connected.
Just because we might not be able to see each other as much right now, doesn’t mean we have to be completely socially isolated! Make sure to check-in on your friends and loved ones… call your friends/family, FaceTime, Skype, Marco-Polo, utilize social media.
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Spend time in nature!
Hikes, walks, nature trails, bike rides - these are all things you can absolutely still do! If you enjoy being outside, then get outside. Just try to refrain from doing these things in large groups.
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Get out the board games and cards.
If you’re at home with roommates, partners/spouses, or family, this is a good time to whip out the games! -
Make a list of movies and TV shows you’ve been wanting to watch.
What better time to start checking off that list of movies and shows than when you’re being asked to stay home. -
Get crafty!
Now is a great time to paint, draw, collage, create a vision board, sew/knit, write, or do any other creative activity that you enjoy. -
Read/listen to stories.
If you have a book, audio-book, graphic novel, comic book, or podcast that you’ve been dying to get to, why not start now.
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Common Sense Media: Helping Kids Stay Focused
Helping kids stay focused
If you're concerned that your kid won't be able to stay on task while doing online work, you may need to get some tech help. Here are some options:
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Screen Time (for iOS) and Family Link (for Android): Use these tools in conjunction with your kids' devices to limit what they can do and when.
Habitica: Gamified Task Manager
Math. About 30 minutes.
Watch a Khan Academy lesson and practice. If your math skills aren't what they used to be, visit Khan Academy's FAQ for tips on how to help your kid with math or get them started on self-directed learning. Here is their Quick Start Guide if you're ready to jump in.
Reading. 30-60 minutes.
If your kid has a book they're reading in English class, make some progress on that. If not, choose one for fun. If you can't leave the house, Libby connects you to your local library. Punch in your library card number and you have access to a wide range of ebooks kids can access on their Kindle, tablet, or computer.
Creative time. 90-120 minutes.
Bring out the pens and paper! This can be a nice chunk of time off screens. Whatever your kid is into—piano, papier-mâché, playwriting—this is the perfect opportunity to let loose. Of course, there are lots of ways media and tech can support these interests if you choose
YouTube has an endless amount of instructional content, including music lessons, DIY creators, painting (gotta love Bob Ross!), and more. Keep younger kids in family spaces so you can make sure they are finding quality content. More choices:
Chores. 15-30 minutes.
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Every family has a different way of managing household responsibilities. But if you're finding this to be a particularly challenging time to get your kids to help out, you can try some apps that can help them stay organized and give some incentives.
Brili Routines is a task manager with a simple interface that works well for kids who need a little extra push to complete their daily tasks. Parents set up the tasks and then switch to the kid profile before turning it over. Kids earn rewards and learn to better manage their time. Other options:
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More Resources for Educators / Families
We understand that as families and educators, school closures and/or students being home from school impacts each of you as well. Below are articles put together by current leaders in education with tips and advice for parents and educators during this time:
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Guidance from the Department of Education: Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
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Understood.org: Coronavirus: Latest Updates and Tips
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Child Mind Institute: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
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Common Sense Media: 17 Apps to Help Kids Stay Focused, Top Time-Management Apps
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Learning Disabilities Association of America: Community Q&A Forum
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Mario Framework: Advice from international educators who are on prolonged online learning due to school closures
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Inside HigherEd: So You Want to Temporarily Teach Online
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ADDitude Magazine: How to Explain Coronavirus to a Child with Anxiety
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Family Activity Ideas
- Activities for Families: What to do During Social Distancing: https://www.510families.com/covid-19-social-distancing-with-kids-what-to-do-where-to-go/
- Giant List of Indoor Activities for Kids:
- https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/indoor-activities-for-kids/
- Free Read-Aloud Stories for Children
- https://www.freechildrenstories.com/
- Free or Low-Cost Stress-Reducing Apps for Kids
- https://parentingchaos.com/anxiety-apps-kids/