Good day SOFBK Families,

We are several days into our Remote Learning platform here at SOFBK. I am very proud of each of you: my parents, my scholars and my teachers. We have met this challenge with the strength of giant. As of March 27, 2020, 100% of our families and scholars have access to technology and 90% of them have access to the internet. If you need anything please reach out to me as soon as possible via my cellphone or by my email address.

I must apologize for the overwhelming feeling you are challenged with at this moment. We are experiencing something new in our country’s history medically and educationally. Our Remote Learning is a new challenge, but we are in it together. To make the Remote Learning process a bit more manageable, and to reduce the amount of anxiety you are experiencing (we did not predict), we have decided to adjust the amount of assignments and due dates your children will be expected to complete and submit for the week for each subject. Here are the new adjustments per subject area: 

Subject                                                      Assignments   for the week                               Due Date

PE/HEALTH/ART/THEATRE.                        1 assignment   per class                                         Mon

SCIENCE &   SOCIAL STUDIES                       2 assignments                                           Tues & Thurs 

Math &   ELA                                                    3 assignments                                                Wed & Fri

As we continue to familiarize ourselves with the Remote learning platform, all work that is submitted will be accepted. Work that is submitted will not be considered late until Monday, April 6, 2020. However, all subjects will have deadlines (please see be above). Additionally, teachers will provide scholars with explicit feedback and next steps to their work that is submitted online. Next steps will include but not limited to, teacher revisions, corrections and redoing of assignments to improve their learning. Throughout this Remote Learning process, we must continue to be Resilient, Serious, Discipline, Focus and Diligent. These are words that our entire school community lives by and is expected to display every day.

Dr. Seuss once said, in difficult times always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think ...” Just know that this too shall pass. Stay encouraged Families!

Below is a list of resources for you and your family 

Robert L. Burnside

Principal

Parent, Family, and     Caregiver Resources     

The DOE’s Learn at Home page contains links to materials, websites, and     activities that families can use to help students practice physical     education, physical activity, and health education skills at home any time.

Physical Education: Children and teens should be physically     active for 60 minutes each day. The Physical Education and Physical Activities section links to videos, activity     cards, games, and more to help your child reach that goal.  

· Move-to-Improve World Beats: Produced by Hip Hop Public Health in     collaboration with the DOE, the Move-to-Improve World Beats album reflects the diverse communities of     New York City and is free to download. Each track comes with     recommendations on movements to incorporate.

· Hip Hop Public Health HYPE at Home: Continue the dance party with HYPE at Home and master moves like the side slide and the dribble     bounce by following along to Hip Hop Public Health choreographers.

· BOKS: Join BOKS for live workouts on Facebook every weekday at noon. For at-home     activity packs, visit the BOKS website.

· GoNoodle: Find movement, yoga, and meditation     videos on GoNoodle’s Good Energy at Home page.

· Playworks: Students can participate in virtual recess at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. on Facebook live.

· Yoga Foster: Free resources include live yoga classes and meditation videos in both     English and Spanish.

Health Education: Normal routines have been upended. Your     children are missing their friends and teachers. Help manage anxiety in     this stressful time by using resources in the Health Education section.

· Common Sense Media: Meditating for even a few minutes a     day can boost concentration and reduce anxiety. Common Sense Media’s meditation apps are broken down by age group.

· Education.com: Students in grades K-5 can engage in     social emotional learning by making a mood meter that allows them to check in with how they’re feeling.

· Move This World: Middle schoolers interview an adult family member or caregiver about how they manage their emotions     in this social emotional learning activity.

Community Resources     

ThriveNYC's New Guide to Mental Health     Services

This guide produced by the Mayor’s Office has information on a     wealth of mental health resources for all New Yorkers, as well as services     tailored to the needs of aging New Yorkers, veterans, students and young     people, and people harmed by violence, crime or abuse. All services     are free to New Yorkers, regardless of insurance coverage or     immigration status. For the latest updates, follow the Mayor's Office     of ThriveNYC on Twitter at @MentalHealthNYC. NYC Well is available 24/7: Call 1-888-NYC-WELL, text     "Well" to 65173, or on the web at nyc.gov/nycwell.

Child Mind Institute Resources for     Families

Family resources include Facebook Live video chats with expert     clinicians, remote evaluations and phone consultations, and parenting tips     for managing anxiety, discipline, and behavior. 

GrowNYC’s Greenmarkets

Most Greenmarkets are open and operating on schedule, so you     can still shop for fresh, healthy food and support local farmers.     Check GrowNYC for updates.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela