The Mustang Memo

Dear families,

It is incredible how much has happened in the two weeks since my last Mustang Memo. I didn't get one out last week because we were all working hard to prepare for eLearning. We were also asked to hold off on communication through our normal school platform, Bright Arrow, due to its overuse in this unprecedented time) First, I want to say that while I had truly hoped to be named the permanent Mann Principal, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the Interim Principal and I will continue to work hard for the remainder of my term. I appreciate all of the kind messages and support; I love the Mann community. I also want you to know that while I am sad, I do very much like Hussain Ali, having worked with him as a fellow Student Support Specialist. You will be in good hands next year.

Thank you to all of you who have helped your children with the eLearning work. This is an unprecedented time and I am proud of our community for adapting to the changes. I can only imagine how difficult it has been for so many of you juggling your work life with now having the kids home and supporting their learning. Likewise, I am very proud of the Mann teachers and staff for creating plans and shifting to remote learning. Please remember to simply do your best. Not all assignments will necessarily get done each day. Your children will not remember each assignment, but will remember how they felt during this time at home. We are flexible and want you to know we are here for you. Having said that, the teachers are ready for a well deserved Spring Break so they will be away from their devices next week. The teachers have also been juggling the eLearning plans with taking care of their own kids, elderly parents, etc. If you have an immediate need, please email me but hold off communicating with the teachers please until Monday, March 30th. Then we will kick off week 2 of eLearning and plan ahead with the new tools we are adjusting to during this time.

I am really missing the kids and will be adding new ways of connecting with them after break.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sullivan

• Headspace: Offering free subscriptions during Covid-19

• Cosmic Kids Yoga: Story yoga for kids to follow along with

• Calm: for adults and kids to help with sleep and anxiety

• Menu of Mindful practices from Milwaukee Public Schools

• Go Noodle: Good Energy at Home: Sign up for emails with songs and activities for doing at home

• Lunch Doodles with Mo: Mo Willems, author, chats and draws with kids

• Dance Party!: DJ Hesta Prynn is putting out family friendly playlists on Spotify and giving DJ lessons on her Instagram.

• Ballet Lessons: Tiler Peck, principal dancer at NYC Ballet is giving live Instagram ballet lessons daily

• Cooking lessons: America’s Test Kitchen is putting out tutorials for kids and families on cooking.

• Tinkergarden: Outside activities to do with your kids. You can search by age, topic, etc.

• Authors from all over the country are reading, chatting and drawing with kids

• Science Activities: 40 websites with videos, experiments and more.

• Duolingo: Learn a new language for free!

• Author Aaron Reynolds is launching a fun, interactive “stay at home show!” with prizes and other activities beginning Monday!

• This is an amazing and entertaining video about how germs spread! I recommend it to everyone!

Zoo/Museum/Park Tours

• Cincinnati Zoo’s YouTube Channel is full of animal videos. See if you can find Fiona, the famous baby hippo who survived being born prematurely (1st and 2nd graders might know about her from a book we read!)

• Fiona the Hippo Cam

• Brookfield Zoo: “Bring the Zoo to You” daily videos and chats on their FB page

• National Parks are offering virtual tours. Check out this article to see the list.

• Museums around the world are offering virtual tours. Check out this article to see the list.

• Penguin Cam from the KC Zoo

• Bears feeding Cam from Brooks Falls in Alaska

• Sloth Cam from Hattiesburg Zoo

• Giant Panda Cam from China

• List of many virtual field trips to take with your family

Community Resources/ Public Health updates:

CDC - Center for Disease Control informational website

Village of OP (resources specifically for OP)

Sign up for Village emergency notifications

How to talk with your child about COVID-19 and talking points from CDC

https://healthconnectionhub.org/ (Community Mental Health Board resources)

Helpful information:

Comcast will provide low-income residents with 2 months of free internet to help them work from home: https://www.internetessentials.com/

Free/Reduced Lunch Supports for D97 students

Beyond Hunger- Oak Park

(OP Food Pantry) - will relax requirements for families to access food. There will be no questions asked for anyone who requests food.

Walgreens is also waiving delivery fees for all eligible prescriptions, beginning Friday, March 13th

Mindfulness Strategies: These are ways to help manage stress and maintain well being. There are many different activities online, these are two suggestions.

Leaves on a stream (mindfulness/meditation)

MindYeti: https://www.mindyeti.com/v2/s/get-started-all-ages