As we are navigating this unexpected situation with Covid-19, the BTNOLA staff wanted to provide some resources for our families below. We are all having to adapt in terms of our family life, work, and other personal circumstances. Although school and extracurricular activities are currently on hold, there are plenty of ways for students to learn. We will continue to update this page throughout the situation. Please email us at breakthroughnola@newmanschool.org or schedule a call at bitly.com/btnolascheduling. We are here to support you.
Education:
- Homework Louisiana: Provides free online tutoring and test preparation; Extended hours from 8am-midnight (Monday-Friday) until May 31st in response to Covid-19
- WYES: Airing programming specifically geared to Louisiana middle through high school students along with educational content on the website to support at home learning
- NOLA Public Schools Laptops: The district has purchased laptops and Wi-FI hotspots for NOLA Public School students; Families should contact school principal or leader to communicate their need
- Outschool: Offering free live classes to public school families in need
- PBS: Interactive activities/lessons to support at home learning for various grade levels
- New York Times: Students can respond to daily writing prompts from the NY Times
- Newsela: Students can read news articles at their reading level.
- Podcasts for Kids
- KidNuZ: Kids like to be informed and engaged, but talking to kids about the news can be a challenge. This podcast, created by moms who are broadcast journalists, offers young listeners five minutes of kid-friendly news (followed by a quick quiz) each day, five days a week.
- But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Kids are always asking seemingly simple questions that have surprisingly complex answers, such as “Why is the sky blue?” and “Who invented words?” This cute biweekly radio show/podcast takes on answering them. Each episode features several kid-submitted questions, usually on a single theme, and with the help of experts, it gives clear, interesting answers.
- Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice: Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Subjects tackled include math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.
- Mad Science: A compiled list of at-home experiments that you can do with your kids. Using easily-accessible ingredients that you most likely already have in your home, family time can be both educational and entertaining.
- Cool Math: Free on-line math lessons in pre-Algebra, Algebra, and pre-Calculus
- Kahoot!: A game-based learning platform, used as educational technology in schools and other educational institutions. Its learning games, “Kahoots”, are multiple-choice quizzes that are user-generated and can be accessed via a web browser or the Kahoot app
- BrainPop: A group of educational websites with over 1,000 short animated movies for students in grades K-12, together with quizzes and related materials, covering the subjects of science, social studies, English, math, engineering and technology, health, and arts and music.
- STEM Activities | NASA/JPL Edu: Explore the wonder of space with science, technology, engineering, and math activities and resources.
- Smithsonian Institution: Fun Stuff for Kids and Teens: Explore art, history, culture, science, nature, etc. through activities and games.
- Museum Views: Take a tour of some of the world’s greatest museums and heritage sites.
- Virtual Tours – Yellowstone: Explore National Parks around the US
- Explore Mars: Explore Mars in this 3D virtual experience through Google
Family Support:
- Assistance for Residents: The City of New Orleans has compiled a list of resources for Food & Supplies, Legal Assistance, Workers, Utilities, and Mental Health Support
- Rental Assistance: The City & Total Community Action are offering rental assistance to 600 households impacted by COVID19
- Cox: Affordable home internet services ($9.95 /month); First month is free for limited time
- Child Nutrition Program: City-wide feeding program that is providing meals for students
- Small Business Resources: A number of programs are available to provide relief to small businesses
- Louisiana 211 network for questions regarding COVID-19, or the coronavirus. Anyone looking for information about the COVID-19 outbreak can simply dial 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211. MORE: bit.ly/39QgwLK
- Louisiana Service and Hospitality Family Assistance Program: The Greater New Orleans Foundations with support from Gayle Benson is offering grants up to $1000 to support service and hospitality industry employees who are primary caregivers for dependent children and elderly parents
Well-Being:
- K Health Virtual Primary Care: Chat with a Louisiana licensed doctor for free in April and get treated from home in minutes
- Holy Cross Counseling: Offering free remote counseling for people stressed by coronavirus
- Virus Anxiety: Provides information and strategies for managing anxiety during the coronavirus
- Calm: Offers a variety of free meditation exercises for adults and children as well as other mindfulness resources
- Recognizing the strong emotions and associated stress many people are feeling with the COVID-19 outbreak, the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health has established a hotline to help Louisianans cope. The Keep Calm Through COVID crisis phone line provides trained, compassionate counselors to support Louisianans through this difficult time. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with information and service coordination, linking callers to mental health and substance abuse counseling services. This service is available to the public at no charge. 1-866-310-7977
