COVID-19 Announcements and Resources
We will be using this page to share any announcements/updates we have for our families about the current COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a variety of PA Distance specific information and general resources.
To learn more about PA Distance Learning Charter School’s plan to implement American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds please see the slides and recordings below from the December 21, 2021 parent session:
- ESSER Parent Session Slides
- ESSER Parent Session Recording
- ESSER Parent Session Spanish Slides
- ESSER Parent Session Spanish Recording
Announcements
July 27th 2021 – Thank you for your patience as we gathered guidance from the United States Department of Education (USDOE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Our first day of school for the 2021-2022 school year will be Wednesday, September 1st.
Please view our detailed 2021-22 Health and Safety Plan.
Resources
Talking Points
Myths & Truths of the COVID-19 Vaccines
Excerpted from Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen’s weekly briefing on May 5, 2021: https://www.padistance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Vaccine_Myth-Truth.pdf
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing 1) background information on several cases of a recently reported multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); and 2) a case definition for this syndrome. CDC recommends healthcare providers report any patient who meets the case definition to local, state, and territorial health departments to enhance knowledge of risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment of this syndrome. https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00432.asp
How to Talk to Your Kids About COVID-19
Families across the United States are overwhelmed with news stories and information about the coronavirus (known as COVID-19). It is important to teach children positive preventive measures, talk with them about their fears, and give them a sense of some control over their risk of infection to help reduce anxiety.
The National Association of School Psychologists outlines some tips for how to talk to kids about the COVID-19 here: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource
Guidance for Where You Live, Work, Learn, Pray, and Play
Community mitigation strategies for communities, schools, workplaces, and events. Actions that individuals, businesses, health departments, and community settings (such as schools) can take to slow the spread of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html
Food Assistance
County Food Bank Information:
If you or someone you know needs food assistance, Feeding Pennsylvania and their nine member food banks, who together serve Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, can help to connect you with the resources you need.
Find the closest food bank to you here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
Supplemental Learning Activities
Exploratorium Learning Toolbox
Are you having trouble explaining coronavirus (COVID-19), and how to fight viruses like this, to your kids?
Exploratorium is here to help, by explaining timely topics about the current pandemic, using their science-backed Learning Toolbox complete with hands-on activities and videos: https://www.exploratorium.edu/learn
Resources in American Sign Language
COVID-19 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in ASL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsfUB4RKh6J