COVID Updates and Other Information
October 10, 2020
Dear Families:
I want to share updates and highlight a few opportunities tonight.
Positive COVID Cases
At Thoreau, we completed the protocol and quarantined the room where this adult case of COVID was present. All of the close contacts have been notified. We continue to support the CMS and CCHS students identified as close contacts and are happy to have anyone reach out over the weekend with questions or concerns. Both situations appear to be contained and isolated as of today. We continue to be very well supported by the Concord health officials.
Concord Carlisle COVID Data Dashboard
This week’s Concord Carlisle COVID Data Dashboard is posted on the school webpage indicating the number of local cases. The Concord health officials summarize current active cases in Concord and Carlisle among other local towns as well as sharing the state data provided by DPH. This data is current as of Wednesday, October 7.
District COVID Data Dashboard
This week’s District COVID Data Dashboard is posted with information as of today. This tool captures the number of students and staff being tested because they are: exhibiting COVID symptoms, identified as a close contact, or returning from out of state travel. Of the 374 COVID tests and pending tests conducted since school opened, 4 positive cases resulted. This is meant just to be an informal data point and a way to share information. We are able to track this because our protocols and reporting processes are very strict.
CCHS Community Buddy Program
This program is shared as a non-school sponsored partnership. Parents who engage may want to connect with the CCHS students before enrolling. It was a huge success last spring.
Would your elementary or middle school student like to be part of a virtual community buddy program?
A lot has changed in a small amount of time with social distancing, virtual school, parents working from home or out on the front lines as essential workers, and so much more. With all this change and a lot of time at home, we are continuing the Concord-Carlisle Community Buddy Program. Your elementary school student will be matched with a CCHS student to meet on a regular basis over zoom. The meetings would be at least once a month for about 45 minutes until the end of the school year. The buddies can write back and forth, talk, play virtual games, help with school work, or just be a friend in a time that kids might feel like they do not always have someone there for them.
Spots are limited, so once we reach max capacity there will be a waitlist. We will pair buddies based on the order in which the sign up occurred. If you are notified you are on a waitlist, don’t worry, we will work to pair your student up with a buddy as soon as possible!
If your child is interested in being paired up with a High School buddy, fill out the Google Form below!
https://forms.gle/LQeg5tC5765x22DM8
Thanks, Concord-Carlisle Community Buddy Program Leadership
If you have any questions please contact:
Upcoming Events at the Concord Free Public Library
The Concord Free Public Library has many upcoming events for kids and families (most of them remote) including:
Girls Who Code
Scarecrow Festival
Storytime with Karen
Spooky Family Trivia
The Virtual Writing Studio
Family Yoga
Virtual Cooking Workshop
The details and information are found at: Concord Free Public Library Events
Parent Education Programs Through the Center for Parents and Teachers
The Center for Parents and Teachers is soon offering these virtual opportunities for parents:
- Mindful Wellness over and Digital Distraction
- Pandemic Parenting: Looking Ahead to Fall and Winter
- A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Rao: Securing Our Human Agency in Times of Crisis and Disruption
- Parenting Adolescents During the Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities
Dates, details and Zoom information is found at the bottom of this email.
Thank you again. Enjoy the weekend.
Best,
Laurie
(1) Mindful Wellness over Digital Distraction
Held virtually on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 7:30 PM
With so many kids now learning from home, we need a plan to help them avoid digital distraction, so they can get their work done. Unfortunately, digital distraction is slowing them down, interfering with deep thinking, and truncating their attention. Making it hard from them to be efficient and put forth their best work. This webinar will look at the science behind digital distraction, information overload, and over-reliance on digital media in everyday tasks, and how it’s impacting our brains. We will review specific strategies you can implement today to help yourself and your kids utilize mindful wellness to overcome digital distraction, keep tech in check, and thrive during distance learning.
Registration for this event is requested by 10/13. Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mindful-wellness-over-digital-distraction-tickets-111671297858 You will receive a meeting invitation the day before the event.
Presented by Adrienne Principe, the Founder and Executive Director of Turning Life On, a non-profit, grassroots movement committed to digital wellness. She is also the co-founder of Concord Promise and a member of the Screens in Schools Working Group for the Children’s Screen Time Action Network.
(2) Pandemic Parenting: Looking Ahead to Fall and Winter
Held virtually on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 7:30 PM Free and open to All!
Please join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a webinar to discuss ideas and strategies to help families cope with the shorter days and colder weather ahead. Dr. Kramer will share practical tools and will allow ample time to answer questions. While the content of this webinar will mostly focus on families with children in preschool and elementary school, all are welcome to attend. Parents should feel free to submit questions ahead of time by emailing Dr. Kramer through her website: https://www.drrachelkramer.com/
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86146774132?pwd=blY1UTVBVkc4VFA5U1gvLzFkOGtmQT09
Passcode: 746955
Presented by Dr. Rachel Kramer who has, for over two decades, maintained a private practice in Pediatric Psychology in Concord. She offers a variety of services for preschoolers, children, adolescents, and their families including psychotherapy – with a focus on evidence-based treatments including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); consultation; and parent coaching, training and education.
(3) A Conversation with Dr. Anthony Rao: Securing Our Human Agency in Times of Crisis and Disruption
Held virtually on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 7:30 PM – In this informal conversation with nationally-known child psychologist and author Dr. Anthony Rao, we will discuss specific strategies on how parents can employ agency to help themselves, their families and their communities during these difficult times. Dr. Rao’s most recent book, The Power of Agency, is based on 7 principles to help you take action to stay grounded, balanced and healthy.
Participants can ask questions and share challenges, successes and tips in a supportive environment.
Registration for this event is requested by 10/20. Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-with-special-guest-dr-anthony-rao-securing-our-human-agency-tickets-113920735988 . A small donation of any size is requested to support the work of Turning Life On, the small nonprofit. presenting this program. You will receive a meeting invitation the day before the event.
(4) Parenting Adolescents During the Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities
Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 7:30PM. Free and open to all!
Parents of adolescents always have a lot on their minds. As the pandemic continues, please join Dr. Rachel Kramer for a webinar to discuss helpful strategies and reassuring ideas for parenting adolescents during this challenging time. Parents should feel free to submit questions ahead of time by emailing Dr. Kramer through her website: https://www.drrachelkramer.com/
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87480413957?pwd=anh3czF5NjBuUFFlYjBUSFhoMDZFUT09
Passcode: 752030
Please read about Dr. Kramer’s background in the description of her Oct 15 presentation (#2 above).
(5) Six-part series for Parents of children ages 4 to 9 years old: “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk”offered in an online, interactive setting with a small group of 10-12 parents for 6 consecutive Tuesday evenings (Nov 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15) from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. For more information and registration details please email cpt@concordps.org and type “How To Talk Series” in the subject line of your email. Please let us know the age(s) of your child(ren) in the email.
To learn more about these and other programs (and to learn how to support the work of this local nonprofit by giving a tax-deductible donation) please visit www.centerforparentsandteachers.org