Dear STEM K-8 Families:
You all are on my mind! We are all trying to figure out how to survive dramatic changes to family needs, work (or out of work) routines, and social upheaval. Make sure the new structures you set up for yourselves and your children include taking breaks from the news, and figuring out how to get outside for physical activity while keeping your distance from others. Seattle Public Schools continues to try to catch up with the extraordinary pace of changes to get a grip on supporting families and learning.
SPS is communicating with families directly. I will try not to repeat that here. I’m contributing a list of resources for both learning and support that may be useful.
We will rise to the extraordinary crisis we are facing. STEM is about tackling challenges; we were made for this.
We will figure our way through this together!
Ben Ostrom,
STEM Principal
Immediate support for families:
- School sites with weekly meals for all student 11am-1pm Monday to Friday. There are 26 meal sites total. These sites will be a hub for resources (more info soon!). The three West Seattle and Southwest School Sites
Concord International Elementary School (Google map)
723 S Concord St Seattle, WA 98108
Enter and exit through doors facing Concord Street of enclosed hallway connecting cafeteria and main building. Cafeteria will be immediately to the left upon entry.
Denny International Middle School (Google map)
2601 SW Kenyon St Seattle, WA 98126
Enter and exit through galleria doors on either south or north side of building.
Chief Sealth International High School (Google map)
2600 SW Thistle St Seattle, WA 98126
Enter and exit through galleria doors on either south or north side of building.
West Seattle Elementary School (Google map)
6760 34th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126
Enter and exit through main entrance on north side of building. After taking a right, the lunchroom will be on the left.
West Seattle High School (Google map)
3000 California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116
Enter and exit through courtyard doors on
- Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19
https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus-financial-resources
- Mayor announces grocery money for low income families https://durkan.seattle.gov/2020/03/mayor-jenny-durkan-announces-5-million-in-grocery-vouchers-for-families-impacted-by-covid-19/
- King County info about the coronavirus
(Translated in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Filipino/ Tagalog, French, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese)
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspx
- Free 2 months of internet
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Internet Essentials will increase speeds from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 for all customers in response to emergency measures associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19). This speed increase will happen automatically – no action is required by customers. In addition, new customers will receive two months of free service. https://www.internetessentials.com/
- Utility discount program City of Seattle
Customers financially impacted by COVID 19 are urged to set up payment plans with either Seattle City Light or Seattle Public Utilities by calling 206-684-3000 or sending an email 24/7 at http://www.seattle.gov/utilities/about-us/email-question.
- Mayor stops evictions (temporarily)
Mayor Durkan signed an emergency order: temporary moratorium on residential evictions, to keep Seattle families from losing their homes as a result of impacts from coronavirus. This begins immediately in the City of Seattle for any residential eviction action related to the non-payment of rent. Tenants required to continue pay their rent if they are able and should work with their landlords on payment plans if they are experiencing financial hardship.
https://durkan.seattle.gov/2020/03/mayor-durkan-signs-emergency-order-to-halt-residential-evictions/
- Health insurance (those without insurance):
Washington State Health Benefit Exchange offers limited-time special enrollment period for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. The special enrollment period runs through April 8 and will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through Washington Heathplanfinder.
Until April 8, individuals seeking a special enrollment must contact the Customer Support Center between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 1-855-627-9604, or a local certified broker or navigator.
https://www.wahbexchange.org/new-customers/who-can-sign-up/special-enrollment-period/
Supplemental Learning Resources
- SPS Supplemental Learning Resources:
- Free education software subscriptions http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
- At Home Learning Resources Compiled by the Amazing Ms. B
- MORE At Home Learning Resources Compiled by the Amazing Ms. B
| SPS Online Student Resources | https://www.seattleschools.org/student_portal/online_student_resources
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| SPS Grade Level Resources | https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/ |
| SPS Live content soon! | Starting March 23rd there will be SPS TV programming broadcasted. More info to follow. |
https://medium.com/pobble/simple-and-fun-non-screen-activities-that-children-can-do-at-home-115543cb3b9c?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=o&utm_campaign=non_screen&fbclid=IwAR3GbKjGDDGq0YcwH accessed 16 March 2020
https://www.kennedy-center.org/globalassets/education/education-landing-page/mo-willems/mokc_draw-pigeon_v1.pdf accessed 16 March 2020
