Free 2 months of Internet from Comcast

As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, Comcast is taking immediate steps to help connect low-income families to the Internet at home. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020.

You may qualify if you:

·       Live in an area where Comcast Internet Service is available.

·       Are eligible for public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others.

·       Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet within the last 90 days.

·       Have no outstanding debt to Comcast that is less than one year old.

Signing up is easy and fast from your mobile device, go to: https://apply.internetessentials.com/

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Free Meals at Silver Diner-RIO

Silver Diner-RIO is partnering with Real Food for Kids to serve free meals to Montgomery County children and families during the school closure.

We will provide meals each weekday as long as we are able, between 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Silver Diner and Real Food for Kids will be providing plant-based meals for grab-and-go distribution at the Silver Diner RIO location in Gaithersburg, MD. We will post updates on our Facebook page if we are unable to serve meals due to changing circumstances.  

Children and families in need can come to this Silver Diner location each day to pick up meals, no questions asked. This means we require no identification or proof of need. Parents or other family members may pick up meals on behalf of their entire family—children do not need to be present.

Silver Diner-RIO

236 Boardwalk Place, Gaithersburg, Md. 20878 

301.321.3530

Please note, the mall address for Silver Diner-RIO is 9811 Washingtonian Blvd. The address provided above is for the Poke Restaurant, next door to Silver Diner, to provide a more accurate physical location.

For more information, please email contact@realfoodforkids.org.

Click here to donate to support this effort.

More info and flyer

At home ideas to keep kids busy and learning

Here is a list of ideas to help keep your kids and you busy and learning while school is out:

  1. Virtual museum tours

  2. Homeschool Mom's Secrets

  3. High-quality Sites and Apps That Are Supporting School Closures With Free Resources

  4. Social distancing doesn't have to doom your weekends. We have ideas.

  5. The Together Pandemic Parent: Seven Strategies to Plan, Prioritize and…Plan?!

  6. A Screen-Free Guide to Hunkering Down from CCFC

Other Ideas

  • neighborhood walk

  • tackle some house projects 

  • have the kids start an herb garden or flowers (perfect timing for this!)

  • set a book reading goal

  • card games for kids

  • coloring

  • create a photo journal of the break

  • collect old toys and clothes for donation

  • learn how to do the laundry

  • wash cars

  • family lunch time walk

  • breakout the jigsaw puzzles!

Check out more ideas on our facebook page!

Get the Latest on Coronavirus & MCPS

News about the novel coronavirus and the disease COVID-19 changes at a rapid pace. Be sure to stay updated by checking out the MCPS webpage.

Here are some great resources below and can be found on the MCPS webpage

  • Check out this resource on how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus from the National Association of School Psychologists.

  • Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus

Some FAQs:

  • When will MCPS make a decision about school closures? Answer: Under Maryland law, the Department of Health and Human Services makes the determination on school closures when it pertains to a public health issue. At this time, per guidance from DHHS, schools will remain open. DHHS is closely monitoring the situation and will let MCPS know should anything change.

  • How can parents help? Answer: Our school nurses and staff will be working with students to promote good hygiene and to keep everyone healthy and safe. We also work with our custodial providers to ensure our schools receive thorough cleaning every day. Parents are asked for help in reinforcing healthy practices at home with children. For specific information about avoiding illness and maintaining good hygiene refer to this CDC document.

Family Fitness Friday on March 6th - Shining Kids Yoga

Join us for our next Fitness Friday on March 6, 8:30 - 9:00 am in the BRES Gym. 

 Lead by Shining Kids Yoga.

 Yoga for kids is a great way for children to learn how to reduce stress, as well as improve concentration, mood, balance, and flexibility. And best of all, kids think yoga is fun! Bring your yoga mat! Some mats will be available, if needed. 

 https://shiningkidsyoga.com/

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March PTA Meeting, Tuesday March 3rd - 6:30pm-8:00pm

Do you have a picky eater or two in your home? Challenging meal times? Wanting to raise good eaters but unsure how? Then join us at the March 3rd PTA meeting as we learn about the foundation for raising a good eater! Come ready to share, learn and participate in some hands-on practice. Helpful handouts will also be provided to take home! 

In addition, Assistant Principal Kathryn West, who is also the School Testing Coordinator, will lead a brief overview of testing and accountability in MCPS.  We will share our testing calendar, an overview of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) that students in grades 3-5 will take this spring, and strategies to support your child throughout testing season.

Remember, free child care and light refreshments will be offered.

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