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Resources for Families & Students During School Closure
Talking to Your Student about COVID-19
Adults and children may be anxious about coronavirus. While it is important to communicate the facts to our children, we should use age-appropriate language and reassure them that they are safe at home. The following resources may be helpful to refer to when communicating with your students about COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub
- Communication Guidelines from the National Association of School Psychologists
- Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus from the Child Mind Institute
- Large Collection of Resources for Families
Online Educational Resources
Wide Open School – This site has tons of educational resources, social emotional resources, and includes links to a variety of other online educational resources
Helping Students Cope with Anxiety
This disruption to routine, closing of schools, and social distancing may be overwhelming for students (and adults). Below are some tools to help students cope with stress and anxiety.
Resources from the Child Mind Institute for Parents
Mindfulness Exercises for Kids & Family
Positive Online Resources & Activities
Olney Theatre FREE Zoom classes!
28 Free Virutal Field Trips & Activities
Live Events (Stories, Drawing & Music Tutorials, Etc.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TIMES SHOWN ARE FOR PACIFIC TIME ZONE – ADD TWO HOURS FOR CENTRAL TIME ZONE
Activities that DON’T Involve a Screen
While there are many positive and productive online activities/resources, I wanted to include some ideas for families that do NOT involve a screen.
- Play a board game
- Go for a walk
- Have a water gun fight
- Cook something new – Easy Recipes
- Go cycling
- Create art
- Color – Free Printable Coloring Pages for Teens
- Practice an instrument
- Write a letter to someone
- Read a book
- Write in a journal or diary – Journal Prompts for Middle School
- Organize your dresser or closet or entire room
- Listen to music
- Sing
- Draw
- Practice yoga
- Work on a puzzle
- Look at the stars
- Go fishing
- Feed the birds
- Plant a garden
- Call a friend
- Make bubbles
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
LOCAL RESOURCES
General Services, Support, Public Benefits:
- Department of Children and Families, 620-431-5000
- WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Food Pantries, 620-365-2191
- Social Security Administration, 1-800-772-1213
- Resource for Indpendent Living, 1-877-944-8144
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) – Wesley United Methodist Church, 301 E. Madison, Iola, 620-365-0434
- Iola Area Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, 16 W. Broadway, Iola 620-365-7405
- Humanity House, 110 E. Street, Iola, 620-380-6664
Hotlines, Crisis Lines:
- Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline, 1-800-922-5330
- Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line, 741-741
- Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, Love Is Respect, 1-866-331-9474
- Kansas Crisis Hotline, 1-888-363-2287
- Hope Unlimited, 620-365-7566
- National Runaway Safeline, 1-800-786-2929 (800-runway)
- Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222
Mental Health, Counseling, Addiction, Treatment:
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, 620-365-5717
- Al-Anon & Alateen, 1-800-425-2666
- Narcotics Anonymous, 1-800-561-2250
