COVID-19 Resources for Members

Last Updated JUne 5, 2020

On behalf of AWSNA member schools and institutes, the Association is working with independent school associations in the U.S. and Canada to gather resources and share protocols related to COVID-19. AWSNA member communications and related exchanges, questions, sharing of ideas, school communications, actions, and materials can be found on the AWSNA Community Hub in the COVID discussion section and library folders.

Please frequently check this webpage for updates and resources. The location of individual schools and institutes, level of COVID-19 in your community, organizational culture, school safety guidelines and individual legal considerations should be accounted for in reviewing the information provided.

Important notice: The following information, as well as information on the AWSNA Community Hub, does not constitute endorsement of any materials, recommendation, service and/or product, or legal advice.

As with any new practice, protocol or policy, there is legal risk. We encourage schools to work with legal counsel prior to implementing new policies.

Family Resources

Simplicity Parenting Podcast - Kim John Payne

7 Parent-Tested Tips to Unplug and Play - Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood

Amazing Educational Resources - Resources for children's games and more

Nature Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Online

Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cams (YouTube) (Adults, I will warn you: Sea Otter Cam can be hard to stop watching!)
Becca Lane, Early Childhood teacher shares storytime and a puppet show on Facebook each day

Stories for Children in Times of Trouble — Storytelling Help for Parents in the Era of COVID-19 and Sharing the ongoing story: The Secret Prince - Kim Allsup is a former teacher with the Waldorf School of Cape Cod

Crafts

Finger Knitting How To
- Easy Finger Knit Bunny
Wee Felt Folk - (includes pdf of pattern)
T-shirt Yarn
Paper Stars (many ways)
Make Ann Arbor - posting daily crafts

May Day

The May Faire Flower Basket (Pasadena Waldorf School)
Creating a May Day Basket (Olympia Waldorf School)

Creating Flower Crowns (Westside Waldorf School
- Fresh Flower Crown Tutorial
- Paper Flower Crown Tutorial

Parent Resources

CyberCivics helps children develop a healthy relationship with technology. They are now offering three free lessons on good citizenship, online and off. Parents can download lesson plans and activities, best suited for children 10-14

Screen-Free Resources: Navigating Social Distancing with Children Under Age 6)
Screen-Free Resources: Navigating Social Distancing with Older Children (Ages 6-12)

School of Sophia: Supporting Parents, Children & Educators

Peace of Mind for Parents: How to Practice Family Digital Wellness (During COVID19)

EduCareDo: Inner Development for World Development - year-long distance learning course led by Lisa Romero, complementary first lesson

School & Institute Considerations

Resource Guidance for Schools

Contact the local health department for updated guidelines and information specific to your location: Local health department directory (U.S.)

Organizational Decision Making

AWSNA recommends that schools and institutes consider designating a task group to coordinate all aspects of Corona Virus communications, plans, protocol, and decision making. This group must be one that can act quickly and rationally in response to a rapidly changing landscape and has the skills, ability and time to execute the various aspects required to manage the process.

When should children and or employees be kept from school?

Self-Reporting and Self-Quarantine

School leaders/COVID-19 Task Groups should consider whether or not they will adopt a policy for self-reporting and self-quarantine. These policies may apply to families and/or employees that are traveling and/or ill, out of one’s home country or within the school’s locale.

AWSNA recommends that individuals or families traveling outside of the US, Canada or Mexico regularly check their home country's health department agencies before traveling. Additionally, schools and institutes should remain aware of reporting and quarantine protocol. In the United States:

If you choose to adopt a mandatory self-reporting policy for your school, legal counsel should be considered.

School Shutdowns

Depending on location and spread of virus, schools may face a mandatory shutdown. Additionally, local health officials could mandate quarantine or exclusion rules which schools must follow. Questions related to such mandates should be directed to local health officials. Have that number on hand prior to needing it. Additionally, school and institutes may voluntary choose to close.

Whether mandatory or voluntary, school leaders should be prepared to communicate with parents and other constituents promptly. In doing so, share your plans of action and information gathered while maintaining flexibility. AWSNA suggests avoiding making promises, as the sands are shifting daily. For example, a school may plan to engage in distance learning for a period of time, but if teachers are ill, or systems of communication not working, you will be unable to deliver.

Nonetheless, gathering information and creating flexible plans in relation to learning opportunities, faculty and staff workloads and expectation, financial and business operations, and other factors that would be impacted by closure is prudent - all whilst keeping an eye on government requirements, laws, guidelines, contracts, etc.

Employment

Alternative and Distance Learning

As discussed in previous AWSNA communications and Zoom gatherings, AWSNA encourages schools to develop a plan for program adaptation that can be reasonably acted upon should it be deemed necessary due to school closure or student quarantine. These options will vary according to resources, employee health, school culture, grade level, length of school year, etc. Please refer to the Community Hub for shared resources and recorded zoom discussions and be conscious of requirements for families in relation to equitability and reasonability. For example, do families have access to highspeed internet?

A number AWSNA member schools are exploring Google Classroom and Zoom Educational accounts. However, please be aware that Zoom has shared questions related to business continuity related to high-demand use during COVID-19, so alternatives, such as Go to Meeting and others listed may help to support reliability.

Resources

Learning Platforms

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