All Colorado schools have suspended in-school learning through at least April 30, and while most school districts and families adjust to this new normal, there are still so many hurdles districts are facing to meet the needs of their students and families. Meal distribution continues throughout the state in many areas, with some districts going as far as personally delivering these to their families. Districts are still facing a technology shortage to ensure families are prepared for virtual learning, and Colorado’s largest district has only just begun day 1 of the last month or so of school via e-learning. The times are difficult, but provide opportunity for lessons to be learned throughout the state and how our children will adapt post-COVID.
This weekly digest includes a piece on the importance of social emotional learning, a helpful resource list produced by Climb Higher, and an insightful conversation with a civic leader and nonprofit executive working with students.
Let’s try something. Can we get a 7 p.m. statewide cheer started for all of our educators and parents? They are superheroes too.
A+ Updates
The Case for Social and Emotional Support Now- and Always in School
If ever there was a time to pay attention to how students are doing socially and emotionally in school, it would be now in what is likely to be the most disruptive societal change since World War II.
Community Resources
Climb Higher Provides COVID-19 Resources to Partners
Climb Higher has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for parents, students, and partners which include: at-home education, child/family nutrition, financial resources, child care access, and nonprofit, and undocumented community specific resources and support.
Special Education and Section 504 Programming Town Hall
Advocacy Denver and Denver Public Schools are hosting elementary, middle, and high school virtual town halls next week to help answer community questions and hear concerns about e-teaching students who receive special education services.
Community Partner Spotlight
Janiece Mackey, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism, speaks with us about the space and work that YAASPA continues to hold for students in Aurora and Denver during COVID-19. We truly appreciate her sitting down with us and for her leadership in our community.
What we’re reading, watching, and listening to…
Eden Morrison, Master of Public Affairs Consultant
Reading: Who Stole the American Dream? Hedrick Smith
Watching: My professors on Zoom and every bad romcom of the early 2000s
Listening to: The Disney playlist I made for my nephew
Cooking: I’m not cooking much, but I am a very reliable consumer of everything my sister cooks me.
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