Good morning families!

Due to the fact it is taking hours to upload videos to YouTube… and Google is requiring people to create a GMail account, I am going to be using an app called Zoom to be able to see your kiddos live and in real time. To start out with, I’ll be reading them stories this way. So if you can please download (for free) the Zoom app and get it set up, this will help you/your child be able to quickly click the link to get video and voice access into storytime.

I am still working on setting up a consistent time to do this. For today, let’s plan for an evening story at 5:00 PM. (I’ll send the link to join on Remind.) Make sure you allow access to video and microphone so you’re able to see and hear me.

In the meantime, here is a fun activity to do today! Enjoy! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s videos on Remind later today.

Good morning everyone!

First, thank you so much to everyone who figured out how to join my video chat this morning! It truly made my heart so happy to be able to see you guys and your amazing kids! This is a new platform that I am also still figuring out how to use, so bear with me while I figure it out with you.

Today’s assignment is a fun one! We are going on a (virtual) field trip to the zoo!

Click this link so you can see elephants, giraffes, rhinos, ants, chimpanzees & gorillas on a live web cam daily until 7:00 PM central time.

https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/

Please complete these steps before 10:00 AM on Thursday March 19, 2020. I think it will be best to do this on your personal device/phone until we get all the kinks worked out and figure this out.

Step 1: Visit the App Store or Google Play

 
Step 2: Download the app Google Hangouts

Step 3: 

If you already have a gmail e-mail, log in to the Google Hangouts App with your gmail username and password.

If you do NOT have a gmail email, you will be asked to create a google email address/username and password.  Once you create your account, you will log in with that email address/username and password.

Step 4:

Find the email in your inbox (from either your gmail or other email address account) sent by Mrs. Laurus. The title of the email will be “Ms. Laurus video chat”.  

Step 5: When you open the email, click the link for “Join Hangouts Meet” 

This link will take you to your camera and will ask to allow microphone and video. Click YES.

Now you and your child can see Mrs. Laurus (and each other!) for a real-time video chat!!

I will send everyone an email inviting you to the video chat for you to join in at 10:00 AM Thursday March 19, 2020. I hope to “see” you all on the video!  Make sure moms are wearing their scarves/are covered if you do not want others to “see” you in the video.

Good morning!

I am absolutely LOVING all of the pictures and videos I have been getting from everyone on Remind so far! It was AMAZING to see the name writing practice, the green scavenger hunt results, pizza making and family walks! Please keep sending me more pictures and videos. Even if you’re doing things outside of what I post here… it’s important for us to all stay connected and together right now.

I’ve been encouraging everyone to get outside and play in their own yards, go for family walks/bike rides. Today it is supposed to rain… so you can check out a variety of videos from GoNoodle. These are videos for your kids to get up and move and dance to. Some of their current favorite titles of songs are:

• Milkshake by Koo Koo Kangaroo
• Pop See Ko by Koo Koo Kangaroo
• Get Yo’ Body Moving by Koo Koo Kangaroo
• Chillax by Koo Koo Kangaroo
• Banana Banana Meatball by Blazer Fresh
• Meow Moo Moo by Blazer Fresh
• Pizza Man by Moose Tube
• Chili Chili by Moose Tube
• Boom Chika Boom by Moose Tube

You can go to YouTube and search up any of those songs! GoNoodle also has an app you can download on iOs, Android or KindleFire.

Also for today, I have a YouTube video of the story ‘Today I Feel Silly’ for your children to watch. When they’re finished, they can draw a picture of how they are feeling today and talk about what is making them feel that way. You can even draw pictures of other ways you might feel and talk about what causes those feelings too.

Reminder: Send me pictures or videos of your child completing the above listed activities.

Good morning families!

I have two more YouTube videos for your children to watch today! The first one is our Greeting Time where I tell them we are no longer going on our field trip to the Outdoor Adventure Center and I talk about our current number of planned “home days”. The second video is me reading the book ‘Don’t Push the Button’. I chose this story because I’m sure on this second day of everyone being home, many of mom and dad’s buttons are being pushed by the kids! Here are the links to my videos:

In addition, please have your child practice writing their first and last name today. Take a picture and send it to me on the Remind text message.

If you have not yet signed up for a FREE ABC Mouse account, please do that today as I am working on giving students assignments to do there. The directions for how to do this are on my iBlog post from yesterday.

Once you are signed up for the ABC Mouse account, please take a picture of your child on the website and send it to me on Remind.

Here is one last activity today. This is a fun way to work on learning about the color green…. a scavenger hunt!

Give your child the following guidelines to collect things that are green. Once your child has found their collection of green items, take a picture of them with it and send it to me on Remind.

• Find something that grows green.

• Find something soft that is green.

• Find one snack item that is green.

• Name one animal that is green.

• Find something hard that is green.

• Name a fruit that is green.

• Find something you play with that is green.

• Find something you can color with that is green.

• Find something you can build with that is green.

• Find something you can wear that is green.

I would love it if everyone can please go online and get this for FREE.

Go to this website: www.abcmouse.com/redeem

The code is: SCHOOL4638

This will give you and your family FREE access to all of their learning platforms: ABCMouse (preschool – 2nd grade), Early Learning Academy (preschool – 2nd grade), ReadingIQ (preschool – 6th grade) and Adventure Academy (3rd – 8th grade).

If your child is going to be on an electronic device, this is a GREAT website for them to be on and make sure they are learning at the same time.

Good morning families!

I will continue to send all of you text messages from Remind. Every time I post a new iBlog here, I will send you a new link via text message. I have started my own YouTube channel for you and your children. My goal during these first few weeks of schools being closed is to provide you with some ideas and activities to keep your kiddos engaged and learning.

First things first, a schedule! Children THRIVE on routine and knowing what is coming next. I am sharing this sample schedule with each of you so you have an idea where to begin. I encourage each of you to modify this schedule as needed to fit the needs of your family. The things that are MOST important though are the following: LIMIT screen time (iPads, TV, tablets, phone use etc…) to only be allowed for certain things and during certain times of the day. Have consistent meal times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have a consistent bed time for ALL children in the house. Get outside EVERY day for sunshine and fresh air! A quick disclaimer to getting outside, children should not be playing with other neighborhood children. Please keep outside time limited to your own yard with the people who live in your own home.

Next up… an activity for today:

Go to my YouTube channel and watch me read the story ‘Pretend’ by Jennifer Plecas. https://youtu.be/DxuFsZWszPI

After the story, go ahead and build your own fort… just like Jimmy in the story. Get creative and use pillows, sheets, blankets, furniture… use your imaginations and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Another idea for today, and every day: your child should be practicing writing their name – first and last. Please only use a capital letter for the first letter and lowercase letters for the other letters. Don’t forget to make sure there is a space between their first and last name.

The State of Michigan announced additional cases of the COVID-19 virus in our state. These new numbers include the staff member from Whitmore-Bolles. The Wayne County Public Health Division has determined that the staff member was NOT contagious while in the building therefore, your child was not exposed to the COVID-19 virus. 

Local health departments in Michigan work directly with those who have been identified with the virus to investigate the possibility of any further spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

The Communicable Disease Unit at Wayne County determines who might have had exposure to those individuals with a positive test and contacts those whom they feel may have had contact.  Wayne County does not test any individuals who do not exhibit symptoms.

Part of their guidelines in determining risk factors include: did the person display symptoms while in contact with others.  Also, proximity and duration with other individuals.   

“We appreciate the support and expert guidance we have received from Wayne County in handling this situation,” commented Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Glenn Maleyko.  

Crews are completing the cleaning of Whitmore-Bolles on Friday, and since the building will be closed until April 13, 2020 there is no reason to believe that the school will not be ready for staff and students when they return. 

For anyone who may have further questions or concerns they can reach out to the Wayne County Public Health Department COVID19 information line at (734) 287-7870.

Thank you,

Kristi

Hello everybody!

Here is a short video of a quick and simple science experiment you can do with your children at home.

It uses materials you already have in your kitchen: two plates, water, pepper and soap!

Watch this video of my own 4 year old daughter trying it out… and recreate this at home with your children. Even my 9 and 11 year old daughters loved it! Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/6GBygQto9cM

https://youtu.be/FQeMskuXmoA

Please comment on this iBlog how your experiment went at home!

Dear Dearborn GSRP Families,

With the latest COVID-19 pandemic now infiltrating Michigan it is best we still to the facts and don’t pay attention to all of the “false” news on social media, but instead educate ourselves and parents regarding the science behind the virus.  Please access the Wayne County Health Department at the following URL for the most up to date information:

https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/hhvs/wellness/novel-coronavirus-information.aspx

I also want to share the steps that we are continue to take in each of GSRP classrooms to support a healthy environment for our students.

1. Our custodians will continue to clean and disinfect all surface areas including desks, tables, door handles, and other classroom items.
2. We will have teachers serving the food to students during breakfast, lunch and snack. All food will be served by the teacher directly to the student for the time being.
3. Students and staff continue to wash hands regularly throughout the day.
   

Good hygiene practices will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. Please follow these recommendations and encourage all family members to do the same.

1. Stay home if you are sick, and advise others to do the same.
2. Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and warm water are not available.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The following resources were shared by the district administration team to support parents in discussing COVID-19 with their children. Please click on the links below to review these documents.

Talking to Children about COVID-19

Helping Children Cope with Stress due to the COVID-19 Outbreak

The health and safety of our students is always our first priority. We will continue to share information on the school blog as it becomes available. Additional information is also available on the district’s website.

Mrs. Modica