COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
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Updated: March 31, 2021 - The Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) is closely monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services, and Houston Health Department to ensure all students and staff members are safe and updated with the latest information. Check back often for additional updates. The HCDE Exposure Control and Response Plan 2020-2021 is available to download.
Although there is currently no vaccination for this virus, the CDC has made recommendations to help prevent the spread of the virus.
What Can I Do?
- Wear a mask or face cloth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact; stay six feet away.
- Clean and disinfect.
- Monitor your health daily. If you feel ill, stay home and consult your medical provider.
Know How the Virus Spreads:
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Keep In Mind...
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Do not use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
- If you have additional questions, check out the resources below or contact your medical provider.
Need Additional Information Not Found Here?
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Table of Additional Resources and Assistance
Table of Additional Resources and Assistance:
Name of Organization Description of Service Phone Number Website Community Resources -------------------------- --------------------------- -------------------------------------- 211 Texas/United Way Helpline A free, confidential helpline operated by United Way of Greater Houston, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 211 https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/work/211/211-overview Workforce Solutions Apply for Unemployment Benefits 1-888-469-JOBS (5627) www.wrksolutions.com Career and Recovery Resources, Inc Career Counseling 713-754-7000 careerandrecovery.org United Way of Greater Houston Comprehensive Community Resources 713-685-2300 https://www.unitedwayhouston.org Houston Food Bank Food Pantry and Emergency Supplies 713-223-3700 info@houstonfoodbank.org Catholic Charities Food, clothing and shelter for people in need and a network of services supporting infants to seniors 713-526-4611 https://catholiccharities.org/ Northwest Assistance Ministries Provides assistance in areas including food, shelter, health, education, safety and financial education 281-583-5600 https://www.namonline.org/ Memorial Assistance Ministries Rent and utility assistance, crisis counseling, benefits applications and general basic needs 713-468-4516 https://www.mamhouston.org/ Neighborhood Centers Inc (Baker-Ripley) Rent and utility assistance, crisis counseling, benefits applications and general basic needs 713-667-9400 https://www.bakerripley.org/services Harris County Community Services Department Housing and basic needs 832-927-4700 --- Gulf Coast Community Services Association Comprehensive services for housing, financial assistance, and basic needs 713-393-4700 https://www.gccsa.org/ COMCAST - Xfinity Free Internet Access --- xfinity.com/wifi Educational Resources ------------------- ------------ -------------- USA Learns Free online English language Course --- www.usalearns.org Cambridge University Press Free Ventures Games Activities for Book Basic, 1, 2, 3, 4 --- --- Pro Literacy Free online literacy courses for ESL and ABE Learners --- www.proliteracy.org Khan Academy Free online Math Courses ABE/ASE Learners --- --- GCF Global Free online courses for ESL and ABE Learners --- gcflearnfree.org Math Is Fun Free online Math Courses for ABE Learners --- www.mathisfun.com GED Testing Service Free Study Guide on Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies --- www.gedtestingservice.com -
Things to Do As a Family Without Technology
*Jigsaw puzzles
*Taking a walk
*Establish an exercise routine
*Nature walks (chatting, collecting rocks and leaves, looking for bugs)
*Board Games
*Inventing
*Our Own Games
*Puppet Shows
*Making up skits
*Active Games (e.g., Frisbee, basketball in the drive way, Four Square, Hopscotch, running through obstacle courses the kids set up, touch football)
*Playing an instrument, singing
*Arts & crafts projects
*Putting on a play Journal/diary writing
*Outdoor water play
*Indoor Hide and Seek
*Bird Watching
*Build a birdhouse or birdfeeder
*Cooking meals together
*Picnicking (indoor or outdoor)
*Bike riding
*Doing volunteer work (e.g., raking an older neighbor’s leaves)
*Caring for a pet
*Playing board and card games
*Looking through old family albums together
*Taking fun family photos and videos
*Baking cookies together
*Make chalk pictures on the sidewalk.
*Making pizza from scratch
*Trying new food
*Playing games such as 20 questions, Simon Says, Charades, Doing a Treasure Hunt
*Plant some seeds or a tree
*Organize your house, room, junk
*Throw out old stuff
*Clean house
*Phone friends/relatives
*Read (books, magazines, graphic novels, etc) -
School-Type of Resources for Parents and Students
Science
Math
Reading
English
Early Childhood
Social Studies
Special Populations
Arts and Culture
Library (Books and Magazines)- ELA Reading:
Global Digital Library - This site offers activities in multiple languages, has multiple reading levels, and a few games
Scholastic’s Learn at Home - This site offers learning from Pre-k thru 9th grade. Tons of fiction and non-fiction activities
Open Culture
Storytime from Space
StoryLine
Foreign Language - Learn another language together - Math:
Khan Academy - This site offer videos and math lessons with extra practice for all math abilities
IXL - (for ABS East and West campuses only, must have username and password)
Open Culture - Science / Social Studies:
PBS Nova Labs - Video Lessons
Houston Zoo Webcams - Try to catch the zoo animals at play
Virtual Farm Tours
Storytime from Space
PBS Learning Media - Video lessons for all ages
BrainPOP - Free Family access available
National Geographic - Create maps of at all learning levels - Social Skills and Brain Break Fun:
Global Digital Library Games
PBS Kids
Go Noodle
SEL for Parents
- ELA Reading:
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Educator Resources
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Center for Disease Control (Updated Daily)
Check out the Center for Disease Control website for additional information.
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Harris County Public Health (Updated Daily)
Check out the website for Harris County Public Health.
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Texas Health and Human Services (Updated Daily)
Check out the THHS resouces page for more information!
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Covid19 Resources Sent to School Finance Council
Check out our link for more updates and posts!