NJ Spotlight--Just the FAQs: What the State DOE Is Telling Schools About COVID-19
The NJ Department of Education has been busy issuing guidance on numerous ways schools need to meet challenges of coronavirus epidemic
The state Department of Education has been issuing guidance to New Jersey’s public schools for the past week about dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Included is a 15-page FAQ, frequently asked questions that range from the broad (what students must be served?) to the specific — addressing public meetings, for example.
John Mooney | March 19, 2020 | Education
Star Ledger--N.J. schools’ biggest challenge? Providing special education from home.
Benjamin De Simone can’t talk. He can’t walk. He can’t stand on his own. But he can go to school.
Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com| March 19, 2020
Philadelphia Inquirer--As coronavirus closes schools, wealthier districts send laptops home with students. What about poorer districts?
Maddie Hanna, Kristen A. Graham and Melanie Burney, Updated: March 18, 2020- 8:44 PM
Press of Atlantic City--Parents using social media for support, connection during school closures
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Christina Sciarretta has been channeling her brand of pineapple flavored moxie into the Facebook group Mean Moms of Atlantic County for more than a year with fun contests, parent meet-ups, engaging conversations and memes.
CLAIRE LOWE Staff Writer| March 19, 2020
NPR--Yes, You Can Take Your Kids For A Walk
Pediatricians say families should get outside, but avoid playgrounds where kids come into close contact with one another.
Parents and caregivers face a daunting task right now: Keeping their children safe, active and engaged for what will likely be several weeks of school closings. The good news is that all kinds of people — families, educators, artists — are sharing best practices.
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/19/817423237/yes-you-can-take-your-kids-for-a-walk
Elizabeth Blair| March 19, 20205:08 AM ET
Education Week--'There Is No Guidebook': Being the Principal in the Age of Coronavirus
Virtual calming corners for students. Online staff hangouts instead of in-person team meetings. Student advisory groups on Zoom. Video morning greetings for students.
This is what the principal's job is looking like right now in the age of coronavirus.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/District_Dossier/2020/03/principals_coronavirus_sel_teaching.html
Denisa R. Superville on March 18, 2020 5:21 PM
Chalkbeat--Pressure mounts for feds to drop state testing requirements amid widespread school closures
What once seemed improbable now seems inevitable.
With the vast majority of U.S. schools closed in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, states are moving to scrap their federally mandated reading, math, and science tests, which were scheduled for the coming weeks and months.
https://chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2020/03/18/states-announce-no-state-testing-federal-waivers/
Matt Barnum| March 18, 2020
Education Dive--Testing disruption could have short- and long-term impacts
Extending testing windows and holding schools harmless in accountability systems for this year are among the scenarios states are facing.
In recent years, states and districts have worked to reduce the number of tests students take — but this wasn’t what they had in mind.
https://www.educationdive.com/news/testing-disruption-could-have-short-and-long-term-impacts/574149/
Linda Jacobson @lrj417| March 17, 2020
The Hechinger Report--Stuck at home with young kids due to the coronavirus? Here’s what to do—and not to do
Experts share tips, advice on screen time, activities
Jackie Mader| March 18, 2020