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Dear Parents,
This email is confirming that we are indeed closed for two full weeks just like all of the other schools in Pennsylvania. Rather than tell your children "no school" I would simply say we are changing to remote learning (ICS Classroom to Cloud). Monday we have off, Tuesday will be a "trial & error" testing day, and starting Tuesday, school is going to be in session but it will be done remotely.
There is indeed the possibility that this will be extended longer than 2 weeks.
ICS will not be offering Remote learning for Pre-K. I will be emailing Pre-K parents separately about the implications of this.
This is a stressful time for everybody in many ways and I want to encourage you to give each other grace within your families and also with other people that you might encounter in life.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. - Proverbs 15:1
We are not alone. We have a great big God who promises to never leave us nor forsake us. (Deut 31:6) He keeps his promises!
Our Academic team is working hard to deliver a quality Classroom to Cloud program for K - 12 remote learning and we will be sending more information to you. Please complete the survey that I sent in a previous email so that we can give you Chromebooks to borrow if they are needed. We have a limited supply, but we are hopeful that we might have enough to supply the families who don't have their own computer at home.
We also need to make progress with our Feed the Need fundraiser. This is essential for ICS. Thank you to those who made the kick-off event and to those of you who came to the makeup sessions. One of our admin staff will be in touch with the remaining families so that we can get you caught up. If you haven't made your first donation I want to encourage you to do that, and also to carve out time these next few days to focus on your texts to people you know who might support Feed The Need.
Finally I wanted to let you know that I am on Facebook and my page is public. I am posting quite a bit about the virus situation because of the people that I am in contact with in Washington State and the CDC. You are welcome to friend me or follow me.
I hope to send another update to you tonight. Let's remember to ask God for peace in our hearts and wisdom and direction as we all adjust to this "new normal." Pause and pray for one another! God hears your concerns, and He loves you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
Respectfully, Susan Selby
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Coronavirus Links
PA cases: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
Talking to Children:
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/talking-with-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
From NPR:
"This health crisis can be scary. How should we talk about it with kids?
Keep it simple, age-appropriate and fact-based. For example, don't tell your child they won't get COVID-19; you don't know that. Instead, the CDC suggests telling children that, from what doctors have seen so far, most kids aren't getting very sick. In fact, most people who've gotten COVID-19 haven't gotten very sick. Only a small group have had serious problems. And, channeling the great Mr. Rogers: Look for the Helpers. Assure your kids, if they (or someone they love) do get sick, the world is full of grown-ups who will help. And be sure to check out this incredible comic by our colleague, Malaka Gharib. She made it specifically for kids who may be scared or confused about coronavirus."
Safe Electronics During School Closure, from Axis.org: "As more and more schools close their doors to prevent COVID-19’s spread, it’s a good time to make sure your kids will be properly protected while using their devices.
With so many teens stuck at home—or worse, inside in colder climates—for days or even weeks at a time, unable to see their friends or do their normal activities, they’ll turn to their devices to keep in touch and make sure they don’t miss what’s going on in their communities. All that extra device time only increases the chances of encountering harmful content or engaging in inappropriate behavior. But there are protections we can and should use! Thankfully, Protect Young Eyes recently reviewed 14 different monitoring and filtering options available to parents, comparing and contrasting all the features and options to help us figure out what’s right for our children. (Also, here’s a list of indoor activities that are mostly non-screen-based, if you need ideas!)
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