Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is Friday, March 27.
I heard someone say “by now we might all realize this remote learning is becoming a marathon.” EVCS completed the first lap and from our end you are all looking great. Keep it up, you got this. This has been a doozy for many to say the least. Way to go parents, students, heroic teachers, & admin for pulling it together – it is remarkable and everyone deserves a big reward.

Before we all collapse into the weekend…

There are a few updates and new resources to note below…

New York State Tests for ELA and MATH
Exams are Suspended for grades 3-8 due to COVID-19

School Food
FREE meals for all kids under 18!
View the list here to find the nearest pick up location. Hrs: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30.p.m.
Kids may pick up from any participating school location on the list. Check for the closest open school near you. All kids can pick up 3 bags each day. If you need help finding additional food resources in the community, please reach out to James.

Tips that might help in setting your child up for success:
Try to create a dedicated workspace for each of you sharing the home. Everyone needs a space they can call their own work area. Keep it organized and comfy, everyone will work better if they feel comfortable and tools are in order. Provide privacy if possible. It may never be “ideal” at home so do the best you can. Support and motivate, think about setting up a gallery area to feature any work they produce. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out and we will do our best to support you.

The kids’ “start time” is 9:30 a.m.

Go easy on yourselves and do what you can. Adjusting to this new norm is different for every family – remember how hard it could be to get out of the house, it might be even tougher some days staying in the house and redirecting the focus. Try to create a regular schedule – kids thrive more often than not with a routine in place. If you need support coming up with a schedule, reach out. Posting the schedule where everyone can see it will go a long way. You can refer to it when you need to get back on track.

NYC School Survey
Our response rate is very low at 19% for EVCS.
We know there is a lot going on but it only takes a few minutes.
Only one survey per family is needed. PLEASE do let your voices be heard and fill out the survey today! Thank you in advance!
Take the Parent Survey (available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish – click here to select your language. )

Attendance
Remote attendance may look and feel a bit different than when we all met at school. With remote learning we encourage all students to participate and engage with the materials, lessons and information presented in google classroom and by the teacher(s). We also understand the juggle that is happening at home and that it looks different for everyone. Our hope and expectation is that you do your best and let us know where the struggles are. We are here to support you 100%.

The Virtual Yard
Thinking about a class hang out? Ask your teacher to help set something up. The upper grade levels encourage regular hang out time using Google Hangouts. Practicing with protocols like “keeping your microphone on mute” and allowing each one to speak and hear one another. Kids miss each other, and this is one way perhaps everyone can share and connect.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

If you are a first responder, health care provider, or transit worker
whose child is a NYC resident and you have no other child care option, complete this FORM to begin the enrollment process for the city childcare & enrichment centers

Devices and Wifi Connections.
If you or some you know is still in need of a device to connect your child to Google Classroom, fill out this form for a device, on loan, from the Department of Education: https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices
Your student ID is required, reach out to teachers or me if you need it.
EVCS is located under The East Village Community School.
If your device is not working please reach out to Liz first to decide if we need to request another device – liz@evcs.me.

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FREE PICNIC Tee-SHIRT – We need to know your child’s size!
In preparation for the school-wide picnic on June 19th,
please tell us your child’s tee shirt size HERE!

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EVCS 2020 Reading Olympics

Keep reading!! The forms are due back Monday, March 30!
Bring Books Monday, March 16 to the “Book Exchange” table in the yard.
Donations and swapping will continue through the month of March on Mondays. For more information about books or the Reading Olympics, please kindly reach out to Ariel at arieldeva@gmail.com.

ATTENDANCE

Reminder:
Please be sure to reach out with details to your teacher(s) and the EVCS attendance team NEW! attendance@evcs.me to let them know when & why your child will not be at school. (No need to email Freddy, Sharon, or others individually anymore!) We value your children and believe their time at school is important! We also need to know where all of our students are every day. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Check Your Child’s NYC DOE School Account Today!

Your child’s Student ID (also known as an OSIS Number) can be found on the letter from Bradley you received as part of your child’s MidYear Report.

NYC SCHOOLS ACCOUNT

March Menus

Breakfast / Lunch

SchoolFood Menu Apps: OS or Android

DRINK MORE WATER EVERY DAY. Please be sure to remind your kids, as a daily habit, to fill up their bottles at lunch using the refill bottle station in the cafeteria. (Write your child’s name and EVCS on the water bottles too!)

HOME LUNCHERS • Try going for ZERO waste, you are nearly there!

Family Resources & Events

Congratulations to the EVCS Family Band for bringing home the D1 Battle of the Family Bands trophy! Way to rock the house and win the battle! It was less than a week ago, but seems like forever. Simpler times…
D1 Battle of the Family Bands – Live Recording!

Interesting for kids (and also adults stuck at home)

Social Action

Best Practices & Resources

Video: Wash your hands. No, like this! Worthwhile watch with your kids.

virus spawns viral Tik Tok dance about washing your hands watch here

Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Monday was a magical day for all of us with special guest Tom Chapin at School Wide Morning Meeting! It doesn’t get much better than that!
If you missed it or have been wishing for a replay, check out the videos here!
A huge thanks to Bonnie, Ivan’s mom for providing the link and again to Sierra, Ceci’s mom for helping make the connection happen.

We are bookin’ it with the March Reading Olympics! Please check your child’s backpack for sponsor sheets & information also linked here. See details below.

Reminder!
This Sunday is (not only Battle of the Family Bands) also Daylight Saving Time 2020! In New York it will begin at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8.
Remember to set your clocks one hour ahead Saturday night!

THIS WEEKEND

Don’t miss this one of a kind event!
Sunday, March 8
3rd Annual District 1 Battle of the Bands • Bowery Ballroom

Tickets Online here or at the door!
Prepare for an incredible show! Hope to see you there!

NY School Survey

We are going for 100% Parent/Guardian Participation! Due 3/31.

For information about the survey click here.

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