How to explain the Coronavirus

BrainPop video that helps to explain to the coronavirus in simple terms to kids.

FL Dept. of Education Video – Listen up! We have to talk about germs!

Child Mind Institute – A brief video for parents
News of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice Jamie Howard, PhD, Clinical Psychologist at the Child Mind Institute.

Child Mind Institute – Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus

Keshet Chicago – Digital Storybook that addresses the virus and need to school from home temporarily.

PBS.org – What This Chart Actually Means for COVID-19 (Video)
A more mature video message for high school teens

AFT Share My Lesson – Coronavirus Student Guide: Explanations and News Updates

National Association of School Psychologist
These resources from the National Association of School Psychologist were developed to help schools and districts provide supports for their students and community in the event of a health crisis:

• • Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers
  • Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource (PDF)

Coping with the Stress of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Contact your child’s School Counselor!

AFSP.org – Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty

SAMHSA – Coping with Stress During an Infectious Disease Outbreak

New York Times – Quaranteenagers: Strategies for Parenting in Close Quarters
Because of coronavirus, teenagers are missing out on major rites of passage. Offering compassion paves their way toward feeling better.

Rooted In Love Video
During this difficult, confusing, and frightening time, Mike Smith, the host of The Harbor™ by Jostens, takes to the crate to acknowledge the challenges we are all facing during the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. Mike issues a call to action for all of us, in this unprecedented time, to find ways to build community, take care of one another, and stay rooted in love.

Links with Multiple Resources for Families

FLDOE Resources for Families

NEAtoday.org – Schools and Coronavirus: What You Should Know

Academic Impact Information Resources – Secondary Level

The College Board
Updates on SAT testing and other college admissions issues
AP Testing updates
The College Board recognizes the digital divide could prevent some low-income and rural students from participating in online AP education. Working with partners, the College Board can help these students have the tools and connectivity they need to review AP content online and take the exam. If your students need mobile tools or connectivity, you can reach out to the College Board directly to let them know.

ACT
Update on ACT testing dates

The Common App
Message Regarding the Coronavirus

National Association of College Admission Counselors
College Admission Status Update
Updates on various dates, exams, etc.

Cambridge International
Update from Cambridge International on May/June 2020 exams

International Baccalaureate
COVID-19 Updates on Examinations
May 2020 examinations will no longer be held

Florida Bright Futures
Florida Bright Futures Student Handbook
Email questions to [email protected]

FloridaShines.org
Paying for College in Florida

Bright Futures Application
We recommend that all seniors apply for Bright Futures and submit your regardless of your test scores because of the testing requirement changes due to the coronavirus.
Students must submit a completed Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) to OSFA for programs denoted by an asterisk (*). In order to apply for State Scholarship & Grant Programs, a student must first Create a Student Account. After logging into your account, you may proceed to complete the FFAA.
Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs

The enrollment window for the St. Johns Virtual School (SJVS) Full-Time Program opened on April 9 and will close on July 10. To learn more about virtual options and apply to the program, please visit http://www-sjvs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

The SJVS full-time program is a program of choice meaning that students must apply and meet very high standards for acceptance. SJVS offers a unique online program that provides students flexibility to learn on terms suited to their needs. A full-time virtual student is expected to complete a minimum of six courses per semester.  Online students must be self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible, and challenged by rigor. Parents and guardians must play an active role in monitoring their child’s progress and make sure their child maintains a regimented schedule.

While the full-time program does allow students to establish their own weekly schedule as to what day and time they complete schoolwork, students must achieve adequate weekly progress in order to continue with SJVS as a full-time option. Adequate weekly progress is defined as 6 percent completion per class per week.  Students who fall behind in their weekly progress will be required to complete schoolwork at the SJVS office until they reach and maintain the proper pace. Students not able to maintain the proper pace will return to their zoned school.

SJVS has seen students reach extraordinary goals with teacher and family support through the full-time program. If you would like to learn more about the virtual program, do not hesitate to contact Michael Eisen, Program Coordinator, St. Johns Virtual School at [email protected].

The Home Education Office is in the process of revising procedures to support proactive program compliance.  Families recently began receiving notifications regarding upcoming annual evaluation dates to help families avoid non-compliance concerns.

Home educators may simply reply with the required documents attached or a letter of concern. Evaluations that are received after the deadline are referred to the portfolio review committee made up of district staff and parents in the home education community. Home educators are invited to visit the district home education website frequently to receive updates and information at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/homeeducation/.

The application window for Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) program is closed for the 2018-2019 school year.  Students who received seats via this process must enroll at the designated school by July 1, 2018 to keep the option available. The COE school choice application process for the 2019-2020 school year will take place in early 2019.  For details regarding COE visit http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/coe/

No charter school applications were received by the February 1 new application submission deadline.  The next deadline is February 1, 2019 for schools planning to open fall of 2020.  SJCSD charter schools include: St. Johns Community Campus (ARC). Therapeutic Learning Center (ARC) and St. Augustine Public Montessori.

High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may
feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for
information and guidance on how to react. For guidance with talking to your child, please read the following recommendations from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

From January 29 – February 26 families residing within and outside of St. Johns County may apply for their child to attend PVPV/Rawlings Elementary School or The Webster School for the 2018-2019 school year through the Controlled Open Enrollment Process.  For detailed information and access to the application, please visit http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/coe/.

SJRSC’s new Collegiate High School Program is a three-year program that outlines the path for qualified students to complete 60-credits of dual enrollment coursework, culminating in both a standard high school diploma as well as an Associate of Arts (AA) degree upon completing four years of high school.

SJRSC will begin accepting applications from current freshmen who meet the minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA application requirement for the 2018-19 inaugural class of 10 graders.  All eligible students will receive an invitation to attend one of the following information sessions:  February 5 at Nease High School auditorium, February 6 at Pedro Menendez media center, or February 7 at Creekside High School auditorium.  All sessions begin at 6 p.m.

For more information, speak with your school counselor or contact Denise Sumerix, SJCSD Director for Guidance and Programs of Choice, [email protected] or Meghan Deputy, SJRSC Director for College Access and Dual Enrollment, Meghan [email protected].

The purpose of the Johns County School District Crisis Response Team (DCRT) is to prepare for and respond to a crisis with a goal of helping individuals and groups cope and begin the healing process after a tragedy.  Our team is comprised of diverse members with a passion for helping when an incident occurs.  The DCRT provides multiple levels of service to our school community: responder training for team members, administrators, school counselors, faculty and staff; consultation to school leaders and families; and core and extended team on-site services.

Support is provided in situations such as a student or staff death (trauma and grief); Natural Disaster (emotional recovery); tragedy and violence (resources for students and families to cope and build resiliency). For additional information or to donate resources such as children’s books to the DCRT please contact Dr. Phyllis Ingram, SJCSD Crisis Team Lead, at [email protected].