Coronavirus/COVID-19

BRIEF SUMMARY

This page will be used to share information, resources, and materials for school counselors, educators and parents to help serve and support students during the Coronavirus quarantine and reentry.

SHARED WISDOM

  • National Information
    • Covid-19 K-12 Counseling.org (from California Association of School Counselors and Wisconsin School Counselor Association)
    • Virtual School Counseling FAQs (from ASCA)
    • Information and update from ASCA regarding the Coronavirus for schools and school counselors. The NCAA Eligibility Center will not require a separate review of distance or e-learning programs utilized by schools with NCAA-approved core courses that have moved to distance or e-learning environments for Spring/Summer 2020 terms due to school closures related to the COVID-19 situation. For more information, visit NCAA online and this document for updated information regarding NCCA initial-eligibility.
    • NCAA Eligibility – Covid-19 Response
    • College Board Updates on AP Exams: AP exams will be given May 11-22 with makeup tests available June 1-5. Students can take exams at home or in schools if they reopen. For complete details, including guidance regarding how College Board is ensuring equity for students, click here and/or view a webinar with details.
    • The AP Coordinator webinar from last week was really good and answered some good questions. You can view it at the middle of this page: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/coordinators
    • Virtual School Counseling Lessons and Tools Community: Share lessons, ideas and resources on ASCA SCENE in the Virtual School Counseling Lessons and Tools community and library. (This community is open to both members and nonmembers.)
  • Q: What virtual platform is your school using to deliver education to your students that have opted to remain virtual instead of in person? Edmentum, Edgenuity, Other?
    • A: Edmentum to those students who failed 3 more classes 1st semester and Google Classroom provided by the teacher to the other E-Learning students.
  • Q: What are you and your SpEd staff doing to keep students with disabilities on track (academically and emotionally/behaviorally) that have chosen your school’s virtual option? Are you having success with what you are doing?
  • Q: I’m hoping someone here can help clarify the isolation period for a student for me?
    • A: This document is helpful from ISDH.  I think your answer is in there: Isolation: A positive student or staff member with symptoms must isolate at home for 10 days from symptom onset and be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and improvement of symptoms. A positive student/staff member without symptoms must isolate at home for 10 days after the date the positive specimen was collected. (Michelle Clarke, IDOE, November 2020)
  • Besides meeting with students individually via Google hangouts, Zoom, etc. has anyone found some videos or recorded some videos themselves to push out their students to help deal with the social emotional issues they may be experiencing through all of this? I serve grades 7-12 and we have been yellow, green, and we most recently went red so our students will no longer be physically in the building. This year we have seen a huge increase in students in crisis. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
  • Class of 2021 21st Century Scholars: At this time, students will still be required to take one of the entrance exams to be eligible for the 21st Century Scholarship. The requirement was waived for the 2020 graduating class due to COVID-19, but a decision about the 2021 graduating class will not be made until the spring semester. If the decision is made to waive the requirement, it will be announced at that time. (Barbie Martin, Director of School and Community Outreach, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, October 2020)
    • With the exception of SAT/ACT, all of the other 11 activities can be completed online or in another virtual format. Suggestions on how to complete activities virtually can be found on the website: https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/students/high-school/  The SAT/ACT requirement was waived for 2020 graduates. It hasn’t been officially waived for 2021, but a decision will be made next semester and announced to students at that time. If that requirement is waived, students would need to complete the other 11 activities before an award can be created. Once a student completes the activities and the school reports graduation details, the system will automatically create the award as long as the student has a clean, on-time FAFSA. (Barbie Martin, Director of School and Community Outreach, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, December 2020)
  • Q: I hope everyone is doing well. I was wondering if anyone has started to think about how they will schedule for next year’s courses this year during all of the COVID restrictions. We are trying to be proactive and think of the best way to schedule students safely and in a timely manner this year.
    • A: We were at the tail end of scheduling last Spring when the stay at home order went into effect. We had all our scheduling info online available for parents and students to view as we had in the past. We added supplemental papers like pdf’s of early grad paperwork, CNA applications, etc. Our counselors conducted scheduling individually via google meet.  We are considering a video for each grade level to introduce the material and possibly a live stream so questions may be asked.
  • PSAT Days when virtual – see https://counselor1stop.org/wiki/psat
  • Q: I have a student whose parent is a primary caregiver for a high risk individual so they are a virtual student. However, during the pandemic the parent lost income. They have now lost their internet service. I have found some options in regards to free or cheap internet, the library (which is quite a distance away for them), and we are also discussing paper copies, but this student is missing instruction. Does anyone have any other suggestions or anything I’m missing that could help?
      • Some schools purchased hotspots for students.
      • Your local library may have hotspots to rent out like books.
      • Recording zooms and saving it to a USB drive, or Send via email
      • Restaurants like McDonalds has free wifi
      • Advocate with the family’s internet provider with their permission.
      • Could the student come to school and report to a room by themselves or with a small number of students? They could use the school’s internet and work on their virtual. Maybe just a half day placement?
      • Some chromebooks that have a hotspot built into them.
      • Sprint maybe providing free internet.
      • Comcast: The company is offering Internet Essentials as an affordable way for homes who receive public assistance to get online. The plan is available for about $10 per month. In addition, they are increasing speeds for all customers in response to emergency measures associated with the coronavirus, and new customers receive two months free.
      • Charter/Spectrum: Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Installation fees are also waived. This is only for homes that do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription.
      • Mediacom: This ISP is upgrading its low-cost Connect2Compete internet program and offering 60 days of free service for qualifying families who subscribe before May 15.
      • Suddenlink: New household with K-12 or college students who do not currently have home internet access can get free internet for 60 days.
  • Looking Ahead to Reopening Schools: A number of organizations have developed guidelines and recommendations for the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year. Here are several:
  • Q: I’m on the hunt for an effective school re-entry needs assessment for K-Grade 4 and Grade 5-8.
    • A: Panorama Education created several assessments this summer focusing on school re-entry: www.panoramaed.com
  • Q: I’m just checking to see if I have missed anything with work permits.  The last that I knew they were not being required due to COVID. And I believe I read somewhere the Dept of Workforce Development would be taking them over.  We are back in session, and we’re getting a lot of requests for work permits and jobs are insisting on them now. Wondering if anyone knows of any updates?
    • A: I wanted to clarify that I did not speak to DWD, but it was the Dept. of Labor re: Work Permits. The expectation is that if your school is open, and able to issue work permits, then it should be happening. The Indiana Department of Labor will again enforce the requirement for employers to have on-file work permits for minor employees starting September 8th, 2020. From Michelle Clarke, IDOE (August 2020)
    • A: This is what was on the Dept of Labor website. https://www.in.gov/dol/childlabor.htm. Effective September 8, 2020, the Indiana Department of Labor will again enforce the requirement for employers to have on-file work permits for minor employees.
    • A: The state site says it is effective September 8th that employers have them on file. I told kids we would begin processing them September 1st and to have the employer contact me if that was an issue. Our registrar is just too busy to process those unnecessarily right now.
    • A: Please go to the link: https://www.in.gov/dol/childlabor.htm for updated information regarding work permits.  They will be enforced again effective September 8.  We have started issuing them again with the start of school.
  • As we all prepare to return to our offices, have any schools come up with a specific plan for the counseling office?  If you have a plan or even just simple guidelines, please share.  One big one I’ve thought is that we are going to need to keep a log of every person who we come in contact with in our office so a detailed sign in page or log is going to be very important.
    • I am bringing in a hepa filter that I have at home and I am buying a plexiglass table shield on Amazon to put between me and the students.
    • I plan on using a filter in my office, too.
    • I am going to be doing all of my enrollment meetings to meet new students and create their schedules virtually. As we all know, typically many family members come to these meetings and my office cannot handle more than one person and still be able to social distance. Our secretary is on board with this and will also be getting as much information as possible for their enrollment virtually. This will also keep large groups of new families from gathering in her area. If there is an unusual circumstance I will make arrangements to meet with them in person.
    • I will be using a Google form for students to request to see me. In a situation where we need to meet face to face it will be with just one student at a time. We will take care of questions with a virtual chat or via email whenever possible. I will use the spreadsheet generated by the google form to record additional info when/if I meet with the student so I have a log of every person who has been in my office on a daily basis.
    • Of course we will be wearing masks when not able to social distance as per our school’s plan as well as cleaning surfaces after meeting with anyone.
    • Our principal is looking into the hepa air cleaners for all of our offices.
    • The only thing I’ve done so far is mark 6 feet on the floor with painters tape (between the door and my desk) so students have a visual. I‘m only leaving 2 chairs in my office for students (and others) to sit on so I can keep them apart.
    • I’m not sure what we are doing yet but I am advocating for minimizing the number of people moving around the building. CDC wants to minimize the number of people building and reduce the locations of where they go. That means we won’t meet with students in our offices but to do everything virtually, regardless if we are in person or remote learning. If I need to meet with someone in person, I’ll probably do it outside or in a larger room like our gym or theater to increase social distancing, masked of course.
    • We are taking away the chairs at our desk so students will have to sit at our tables across our office. We’ll wipe down the chair and table when students leave. Some are getting plexiglass for the desk too. 
    • We have a google sheet that students request to see us so that’s how we keep a log of students who came in. 
    • I ordered a plexiglass table shield and I will be using a face shield and at times a mask with it (depending on the situation). A detailed log of who I come in contact with is also good.
    • I work with small groups as well, mostly at lunch. I haven’t yet heard if this is going to be allowed this fall but if so, I will have to shift to a different time of day so the students can keep their masks on during group.
    • I play lots of board and card games with kids, have access to a portable sand box, and have the kids use fidget toys. Does anyone else use things like this? How are you going to sterilize things? I’m assuming wipes on the toys after each use? Not sure what to do about the games.
    • I’m not sure if I would go with an air purifier. That would move air around a lot. If hair salons are not to use hair dryers because it moves too much air around, I’m not sure about anything that moves air. A store near me requires masks at all times and you need to use hand sanitizer upon entering the store. I think that is the way to go for me. I plan on using a mask at all times in the building and having fewer manipulables on my desk for students to fidget with. Definitely cleaning the manipulables if they are used as well as any markers. I do a lot of art therapy with my students. If you handle any paper student work, wear gloves when going over them. I used to get sick after handling the paper iStep+ booklets after every test (part 1 and part 2) until I started using gloves when preparing them for return. I haven’t gotten sick from handling them since. However, the best method would be to put everything online in a google form or something similar.
    • We’re getting plexi-glass screens (3 feet across) to place on our desks, plus we’ll be wearing masks.
    • Besides masks, creating smaller cohorts of kids, putting my mask on a lanyard so that it is easy to take off and not leave places, I thought this might be an easy, cheap, rollable, cleanable- diy screen. If a child is in the middle of a crying jag or panic attack, I will try to take them outside and distance, if not possible (rain, temp) I might use this. I might also use this for conflict mediation sessions between students even with masks on. $8 garment rack-walmart, $3-clear shower curtain, $1- curtain hooks, a little tape at the sides.
  • Virtual School Counseling Offices
  • Ideas for Staff Support (from Counselor Talk, August 2020)
  • Q: Are colleges recommending students take the SAT for admissions for the 21-22 school year (our current seniors who missed the Spring window due to COVID-19)?
    • A: Your question is a good one, but there are multiple answers. In light of the current situation, MANY colleges have announced that they are test optional either temporarily or moving forward. But my advice is to not assume anything. I’m telling students/parents to check the college websites carefully regarding their testing policy for this admission cycle. I’m also suggesting that they get a test score under their belt if they can do so, in order to keep all options open. If a student definitely knows where they wish to apply, and they can confirm that those schools are test optional, then they don’t need to stress about making sure they get a test behind them. It’s also important to note that while some schools have indicated that they are test optional for admissions purposes, some are still expecting scores for scholarship consideration. I’ve been pleased to see that many are truly going test optional on all fronts, but certainly not all. In sum: encourage students to READ the websites carefully and ASK the admissions office if they need clarification or first-hand interpretation of the policy.
  • Counselor Check-Ins –
  • Q: I was wondering how people are staying in touch with their students? Last year I emailed my middle school students with mild success, so how do you all do that?
    • A: Create some kind of incentive for them to respond to your emails. Start by contacting the parents to remind their students to check their school email daily. Make it into a contest of some sort to engage them. The middle school age group seems to respond well to games and contests.
    • A: I’m making courses in Canvas that will replace classroom guidance lessons if we go virtual.  I am also looking for (or making if I can’t find one I like) a short risk assessment survey students will fill out. This way I can better identify students that have mental health or basic care needs that I will need to address, especially if we do go virtual and I don’t get the time to know my students. I will be using Teams for those identified students who are willing to meet virtually if we aren’t in school.
    • During our shutdown (March-June) I sent out a google form to all of my students. I asked them to complete sentence starters which included:
      One thing that is helping me during this time..
      One thing that is hard for me during this time..
      Something I feel sad about…
      Something I feel disappointed about..
      Something I feel happy about..
      Something I am grateful for…
      Something I look forward to..
      I got a lot of insight into how my students were doing (from ASCA Scene, July 2020)
  • Ideas from school counselors to help students transition to new buildings (Virtually)
    • One of our ES counselors created a Padlet to put up information for her students transitioning from elementary to middle school.  It has information and resources and is also interactive.
    • Elementary to Middle School Transition: padlet.com/lfrydman08/movingontoMS.  Additionally, we have another middle school counselor that created a virtual tour of her school (with permission).  See her video here youtu.be/2nq0xclUEWw
    • Some counselors have done a power point with voice over or screen-o-matic to do presentations for transitions.
    • Counselors are holding live transition zoom meetings for current 6th and 8th grade families. We will use a PPT presentation to explain the main changes and will allot time for Q & A at the end.
    • I am going to find a way to collect the students’ questions/concerns and see about a Google Meet session including the 5th graders and the school counselors from the 2 middle schools that will receive them.
    • We are holding ZOOM meetings with our 5th graders and the School Counselors from the middle school for a question-answer session.  We will meet first with the 5th graders in developing some of the questions to forward to the middle school counselors to they are prepared.
    • We would normally hold a district wide transition day in June. Instead, for the rising 9th graders, we are creating a revolving slideshow that will be emailed to them and then posted on the website. It will include a slide with 15 second videos of folks introducing themselves, a video from the athletic director followed by a slide with a link to sign up for fall sports, some student created videos of clubs & activities, followed by a slide with a link to get more information about those, possibly with a virtual tour, but most have already walked the physical building, and possibly a slide with a previous pep rally embedded. We also do an Orientation day in August, so we’re hopeful that will be physical and we can embed anything we miss in June.
    • Our 6th grade ELA teacher has made an assignment for answering questions I collected (via Google Classroom I already used).from 5th grade. She pushed that out and is giving extra credit for anyone who replies to her prompt with a video. Also, our part-time MS counselor is making a video for me to share with them.
  • The FAFSA filing deadline for Indiana has been extended beyond the Commission for Higher Education’s original state deadline of April 15.
  • The extension is intended to ensure as many Hoosiers as possible can access financial aid in the coming academic year in the midst of challenges presented by the coronavirus. The extension applies to the 21st Century Scholarship and the Frank O’Bannon Grant. There is no FAFSA deadline for Hoosiers applying for the Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant.
  • Q: Has anyone done a parent/guardian/caregiver stress reduction virtual workshop or meeting, specifically dealing with the school closures and pandemic?
    • A:  My team will facilitate two Zoom meetings with parents on Tuesday, April 14 at 10 AM and 5 PM. We know that many of our parents/guardians/caregivers are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out and we would like to provide them with some resources and support.
    • A: We are going to offer a Wellness Wednesday Series for families via Zoom. Several faculty members have agreed to share their expertise so we will offer things like: Yoga, guided relaxation exercises, mindful meditation, calming yourself through music, self-care at home, SEL activities for the entire family. We are in the beginning phases of this offering but we agree with you that it is important to reach out to our families…especially as this distance learning continues to become more the norm than the exception. Our hope is that the whole family will learn coping strategies that they can all use together to get through this.
  • Q: How to help parents who are struggling to get their students to the computer to e-learn?
  • Q: What are some of you doing for awards programs – in particular for seniors? Anyone doing a virtual program? Anyone canceling programs altogether? Other?
    • A: We are doing a virtual program for the seniors. We will post the awards for other grades on our website and when the students come to eventually get the rest of their belongings from their locker, when it is safe, we will give them their tangible award.
  • Q: Have any of your schools made a decision on how to handle graduation “ceremonies”? Are you postponing them, holding them virtually, etc.?
    • A: Given the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, IDOE realizes the impact on the Class of 2020. Celebrating their accomplishments is an important milestone. To assist districts with planning alternate solutions, we have developed a Virtual Graduation Assistance document. Please contact Robin LeClaire with any questions.
    • A: We are doing virtual graduation.  Students will come to the school dressed in their cap/gown and have up to 4 guests present. They will walk across the stage and get their diploma. We will film it. We are doing appointments for students to come in. We are allowing a set number of students per time slot. We will not allow any congregating outside or inside, all cars must park 3 spots away, and they will be ushered to their spaces in the auditorium so they remain socially distanced. We will play the video at the regularly scheduled time of graduation
    • A: We created a google form asking one question, would they like to keep the original graduation date and hold a virtual ceremony or switch graduation to July 18th and once that time comes, we will hold whatever type of ceremony is allowed, while following all government safety guidelines in regards to social gatherings (in person, virtual, small group, etc). Each senior was able to vote one time (they and their parents had to agree on a decision and submit one vote). They were the only ones who were able to vote. The majority wanted to change to the July 18 date, so now we wait and see what we will be able to do at that time.
    • A: We are partnering with Herff Jones, our graduation regalia provider, and a production company who are going to facilitate the graduation. Even though we are a virtual school, we historically have held an in-person graduation. Here is a link to what we will be using. Jostens has a similar service they are offering as well. https://www.herffjones.com/products/high-school-virtual-graduation/
    • A: We have tentatively scheduled a ceremony for a Saturday in July.
    • A: We just decided today to have graduation on June 6 (originally May 22). We will have a resorted ceremony with pre-marked seating IF we are allowed. Otherwise, we are going to do a parade threw town of the graduates and their families, ending at the school down where the senior can get out and walk across the stage to get their diploma. We are going to video it and burn it for all the seniors. We have an easier situation because we only have 41 graduates!
    • Alternative Plan for Graduation 2020 – Gulfport High School
    • We are going to do a Graduation parade through town. All students in their own cars or some in the back of trucks and we will have a local radio station that people can tune to hear the announcements live anywhere along the parade route. We will also have someone video from the announcers booth set up so we can send that out to all the seniors and their families afterwards. Someone will hand the diploma sleeve to each student as they pass by and their names are being announced. We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but it should be fun. (Redding, CA)
    • I love this idea of using drive inn theaters for graduation ceremonies complete with a movie of all the graduates to play on the screen!
    • Seniors Celebrate Together: The class of 2020 has faced a senior year like none other in history. The XQ organization has partnered with The Lebron James Family Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation to celebrate high school seniors throughout the country with a first-of-its-kind national graduation that will air simultaneously on network television, social media and streaming platforms. The event will feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai, the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, H.E.R., Megan Rapinoe, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Ben Platt and others.
  • 4th Grading Period
    • Q: If the students still have access to complete the course, can we tell them they have to complete the course to earn the grade? Also, what if it is a dual credit class?  I’m wondering about kids on track with AHD, but still need a C- in Pre calc or any other required course…do we still give them the AHD or do they have to have had a C- at the quarter?
    • A: I just had that conversation that GRADES matter to post-secondary students for AP, ACP, GPA, etc. so our school will issue a grade. We are only going to waive credit if a student doesn’t pass a course, but was enrolled by March 19th.
    • A: We are freezing grades as of 4/2. If a student wants to increase, they can keep working. If a student had an F, they will be given a D-
    • A: I think the answer to your question is in the wording of the document re: the Honors Diploma grades.  It reads: “OTE: Seniors who do not complete courses will be HELD HARMLESS with respect to those courses for purposes of the grade requirements in the honors diploma.”
    • A: I don’t think grades from this semester will matter to colleges. They know everything is out of whack. Has anyone contacted any colleges to see what their thoughts are?  I also am interested in the comment “waive credit.” Do you mean you will not award credit to a course if a student wasn’t passing by March 19th? If so, I believe the state is telling us pretty explicitly we aren’t allowed to do that. If a student is enrolled in a course, he/she automatically is awarded the credit. But maybe I am misinterpreting that?
    • A: So, enrolled by March 19th, means essentially that the student has “intent” to complete the required coursework, despite the grade that he/she had at the time of school closure. If it was in the plans for a student to complete additional required coursework on a credit recovery program, then that course would be waived as well. (this is my interpretation). Grades below expectations for AHD or THD following the school closure date would not apply and could be waived as well.   I think the dual credit institutions will each have to inform us of their decisions. . . .unless the DOE addresses these as well.
    • A: I believe they’ve left it this vague so it’s a local decision.
    • Q: What about seniors that had yet to enroll in an online class to complete a graduation requirement?  Is their intent to enroll enough to grant a credit?  If so, how is the grade determined?
    • A:  If they were not yet enrolled as of March 19, then the onus is that they must now enroll and complete the course as normal. (From Robin LeClaire, IDOE, April 3, 2020)
  • Q: Is anyone considering making the final GPA for seniors the 7th semester GPA?  Are there any DOE rules that prohibit that?
    • A: My Principal proposed that yesterday during a meeting and since we had a tie at the end of the 7th semester, we decided not to proceed with that. Our top students are all still completing all work because it’s AP or dual credit so we are waiting to see how things shake out.
    • A: We are using 7 semesters for ranking and val/sal determination. The final cumulative will include our 8th semester though. We are holding q4 harmless.
    • A: I want to but waiting on guidance from the DOE.
    • A: We are using 7th semester for class rank and GPA.
    • A: We made that decision last week. In our case, I do not think it would have made any difference especially with our top 10.
  • Q: Would anyone like to share how you and your teachers are supporting student mental health during these challenging days?
    • A: We’re assigning times to meet via google meet.  We also created a classroom page with lessons on relaxation/anxiety relief.
    • A: I will also be having
    • Google Meets to talk to students in groups.. and using Google Hangouts to speak with students individually.
    • A: We sent a check-in survey to all students asking if anyone had needs or wanted to talk. Counselors are emailing the students who said they need to touch base with us. We then followed up with a slideshow full of resources and ideas to help them cope. We’ve gotten good feedback on both of them
    • A: What is everyone doing about those kiddos who are not accessible via the internet? I have had success with Zoom and email but I am concerned about that percentage of students who have not completed any work online and we haven’t heard from them. Anyone else having this problem?
    • A: I have that issue too. We have not received direction yet as to what we are supposed to be with students/parents that don’t login or respond to anything. I have a few I am very worried about.
    • A: On those same lines, I have been trying to figure out if a personal Google Voice account is FERPA protected. Anyone know?  I am looking for a way to simulate an open door where kids or parents can just call in. I know I have kids that do not have reliable, if any, internet, and I know phone will be the only way to reach them.  At this point I can call out remotely through my school phone, but families and students cannot call me.  Does anyone know if a personal Google Voice (or any other option) is FERPA protected? Or have another solution for families and students to call me?
  • Q: Resources for students who are experiencing anxiety from on-line learning?
    • A: I really like the Worry Warriors that Counselor Keri has put together. There are resources from her on TPT and there are videos she has done on youtube. That is if you are looking for elementary students. There are also some great books (series) on several topics.  The one I am thinking of is What do you do when you worry too much?  I showed a student this book and she said that’s the book my therapist uses with me.  (from ASCA Scene, April 2020)
  • Q: I am wanting to find a way to talk with my students face to face online during e-learning times but just found out none of our student devices will allow this…. what are others doing? Can your teachers communicate with students?
      • A: We are using zoom. They are allowing educational use of this for free. Can your students download this to their devices.  We have used it the past few days for several of our classes and it has worked very well.
      • A: We are using Zoom and Google Hangouts.  Your tech department may need to adjust settings for the students’ devices to allow this.
      • A: I used Google Hangouts/Meets last week. I scheduled students for the coming school year using it. Not only was I able to see my students and they see me, I was also able to share my screen with them. I took a picture of their grad checklists and then opened the pic on my screen to share with them. It was a really need process – and I am SUPER pumped that I figured out how to do that since I am old!!
      • A: You can record a Zoom meeting so that is good for classroom instruction. Hangouts is good to use for the chat or meeting feature.  In our school, we use Hangouts for everyday instant messaging between staff and also use the hangout meetings when we need to meet with each other. Zoom allows you to not only meet live but also allows you to record the meeting.
  • Q: I have had four foreign exchange students go home over the course of the week and I have a regional coordinator asking about credits for this semester—since for some this year counts for credit. How are you handling this for your students who may be leaving?
    • A: We had this question come to us and we ran it by legal. Since the schools have the ability to award the credit- even though we haven’t finished the semester, schools can have some local control to do what is in the best interest for the student. Can the student still do e-learning abroad? Can you freeze grades. It seems like this is something that is out of the students control and we have some wiggle room to do what is right for them. (From Michelle Clarke, IDOE, March 2020)
    • A: Our student that returned is requesting to continue doing online work (eLearning) from her home country. I still have to get approval from our principals about that.
    • A: We have decided to freeze the grades at the point that we left school for break and award the credits for the semester.  We were 11 weeks into our semester.
  • Q: How is everyone handling e-learning with their students? Does anyone have any creative ideas to share to support our students during this very stressful time?
    • A: Google Classroom has an Amazing site. Especially for Art. Some of our teachers are using that others are using Youtube and still others are using Schoology there is a whole video section in Schoology that you can open and record. Also, Quicktime is another option.
    • A: A few of our teachers are using Google hangouts to chat with students and allow them to chat with each other. Topics of discussion are not educational and more a check in on how things are going.
    • I am using zoom.com to do virtual morning meetings and SEL lessons.  I am also using getepic.com to access online books.  I can show the books with zoom.com.  Both of these resources are free right now.  I have asked a question in the video and have invited students to send me their response through posting on the video, email, or Google voice.  I even had one family video their child’s response.  It was so cute.  It is a great way to stay connected.
    • Some counselors have been using FlipGrid – https://info.flipgrid.com/ – in a similar way. They have free accounts for educators too, I believe.
    • Resources for grad students and K-12 (from ASCA Scene, March 2020)
  • Q: What are your favorite apps for student use?
    • A: I have been using Google Voice as a way to communicate with my students. I downloaded the app on my phone. It then creates a generic phone number so that students and parents may call or text my number, which is run through my phone, but they never get my real (personal) number. I like it because I can also set my own hours and can put the number on Do Not Disturb whenever I don’t want to be contacted.
  • Q: Does anyone know if students are able to work outside of the work permit laws while schools are on an extended closure?
    • A: I wrote a letter on our school letterhead stating the student was in good standing and grade level. I had her check first with the employer and they said they would accept that.
  • Q: We have several senior scholars who were planning to take the SAT in May. (They did not apply to a college with a testing requirement, but they were taking it to fulfill the 21st Century requirements.) Will that requirement be waived in light of the fact that May and June testing have been cancelled?
    • A: Yes, we will waive the college entrance exam requirement for graduating seniors in the class of 2020. They will still need to complete the other activities. For the campus visit requirement, they do have the option of doing a virtual visit online. (From Barbie Martin, CHE, March 20, 2020)
  • I am a school counselor in Virginia and I have been making videos with my daughter and her friends based on Counselor Keri’s Kindergarten Social Skills lessons which I purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers. I have also recorded several read-alouds of books I use in school counseling. Please feel free to share my YouTube channel with your primary grade level students who would like to work on social and emotional skills: www.youtube.com/user/MrsHyltonCounselor (from ASCA Scene, March 2020)
  • I am thinking about using Zoom for virtual counseling.https://zoom.us/  .  It has 256 bit encryption for security purposes.  I know someone who is using doxy me which is designed for counselors https://doxy.me/  I have used WebEx in the past and google hangouts for classes and meetings.  All of these tools are free at some level of service. (from ASCA Scene, March 2020)
  • Q: What if we have a staff member or student die from COVID while we are still in a time of social distancing?  Students usually tend to gather at the school to grieve together when there is a loss, so I was wondering if there were ideas for what schools can offer in case this unfortunate scenario does happen during a time that we can’t physically gather together.
    • A: A wake or funeral can be done virtually. At this time10 or less family members/ minister can attend and film a funeral. I saw one done on Facebook live. Flowers/ cards can be sent. Doing a balloon release is my favorite for kids. I believe Dollar Tree is still open and has helium balloons on occasion. Grocery stores with a floral department miggt be an option. Although many ask for donations for a charity instead these days.  We plan at this time to refer counseling services that are ongoing to an outside establishment such as a therapist who can telework. I might do a guidance lesson or have a link on my website with a document that families can access if they need this information. (from ASCA Scene, March 2020)
    • A: Unfortunately, anybody dying right now has to deal with this. If you look at the obituaries, they all say either “a private service will be held” or a “memorial will be held at a later date”. So a memorial at a later date would be appropriate.  That being said, we have all of this great technology available! You could do a google hangout and have students write notes about the student.  I think students can post pictures if they want to. You could also make yourself available on Zoom for students to get together. You could send out information on grieving either through email or through a Powerpoint presentation (like Screencastify).
    • A: We had a student die this past weekend – not from Covid but in an accident.   We put a Google form on our district website so that students and families could sign up for a Google Meet or a phone call.
    • A: Maybe there could be an email address created where students could email messages for the staff member’s family, either telling what they appreciated about that person, a funny story, or just a message.  If they make a card or a poster, they could take a picture and email it.  A designated person could then share the emails and pictures with the staff member’s family or put them in a scrapbook.  If the family is asking for donations to a specific charity, you could also make school families aware of that.
    • Our school community recently had a parent pass away (not from COVID), and the parents’ business employees suggested we line the path from the funeral home to the business (they’re along the same street and about a mile apart) for the procession to the cemetery. They ran this past local authorities and the police gave permission as long as anybody standing outside was only with their live-in family group and groups stayed 6 feet apart. Many chose to park on the side of the road with hazards on and remain in their cars since it was a little chilly. It was a nice opportunity to still physically be present for the family while still being safe. It’s in the vein of the videos you see going around of parades of cars driving past someone’s house to celebrate a birthday or some other milestone.
    • Talking with kids whose family has sustained a death video and PDF
    • Coping with a Traumatic Event in the School from ASCA – provides a blueprint for preparing and organizing for a death/crisis in your school
  • Q: I am wondering if there is any information on best practices regarding how to respond in crisis virtually. For example, if we should have the death of a staff member or student but are still working virtually what are some ways we can respond and offer support in an effective and ethical manner?
    • A: Our district’s safety team is emailing all when we know of a threat and will meet via zoom regularly, just like we met face to face. We also use Social Sentinel, which has been very helpful. It flags any messages on social media and emails that are suspicious and our entire team gets the alerts. We can then email each other to find out who is going to investigate and keep us abreast of potential next steps. Even though it is more difficult to communicate now, we seem to be able to respond to issues that are happening. My worry is for those students who are NOT saying anything and feel isolated. The teachers are staying in contact on a weekly basis with each student, but it’s not the same as noticing changes in behavior in a school hallway or classroom. (from ASCA Scene, March 2020)
    • A: One of our school districts had a student that died in a house fire just a couple days after the schools closed. Their counselors developed an online referral form and sent it out to all the students and put it on their website. The form was a way for the students to request a call or virtual meeting with a counselor, specific teacher, or other school staff. (from ASCA Scene, April 2020)
    • Talking with kids whose family has sustained a death video and PDF
    • Coping with a Traumatic Event in the School from ASCA – provides a blueprint for preparing and organizing for a death/crisis in your school
    • Virtual Crisis Team Response Options  (from ASCA Scene, March 2020)
  • Q: Does anyone know if hospitals are still seeing students for suicide evals?
    • A: Telehealth (or online therapy) is what seems to be becoming the norm.  I have found talkspace.com, which allows individuals to choose an online therapist.  It appears to be well-reviewed.  There is always 1-800-273-TALK for crises, as well as texting HOME to 741741.

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This post was created by Kelly Dunn on March 19, 2020.