March 19, 2020
FOOD SERVICE CANCELLED FRIDAY, MARCH 20
Due to inclement weather, meal service is cancelled for Friday, March 20. Attendees were advised to pick up multiple meals today. Normal service will resume Monday, March 23.
For more about food service, see the bottom of this email.
ICYMI: GOVERNOR POLIS ORDERS SCHOOL CLOSURE EXTENSION THROUGH APRIL 17
In case you missed it, we emailed you last night regarding Governor Polis' order to extend school closures. You can read that message here .
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Remote Learning and Work Plan Continues After Spring Break
Starting March 30, and continuing through April 17, we will implement this learning schedule:
Mondays - Teacher and School Staff Planning and Catch Up
Mondays will be non-student-contact (no remote learning) days, where teachers and staff will engage in planning and professional learning. Students can use this time to catch up on assignments.
Tuesday through Friday - Students Engage in Remote Learning with Teachers
Please watch for communication from your child's school for specific plans.
NAVIGATING MENTAL WELLNESS
Checking In with your child and your own mental wellness
Take an opportunity to talk with your child/children one-on-one. While engaging in something enjoyable for you both, ask them how they are doing. If they are feeling down, listen (without judgment) and ask questions. Provide support and information related to what is going on and ideas and resources related to physical and social-emotional wellness. Also check in with yourself and access resources that will support you during this time, which also supports your child/children. 

If you think your child may be struggling with their mental health
If you are worried about your child's mental health beyond their current fears and possible anxieties surrounding the COVID-19 but it is not related to immediate safety, we encourage you to reach out for more support to your school-based mental health professionals (Counselors, Social-Emotional Learning Specialists, Mental Health Providers) or community mental health supports. Your school-based mental health professionals will likely also have access to a list of community mental health supports in your area.

Below you will find additional steps to take if you are looking for access to community-based mental health support. Currently, most community-based mental health providers are working to provide services remotely via the phone and teletherapy.
  • Contact your health insurance for a list of covered providers
  • Talk with your employer to see if you have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Ask your child’s primary care physician for referrals/ideas
  • If your family does not have insurance, take a look at some more flexible alternatives such as
  • Jefferson Center For Mental Health
  • NAMI-National Association for Mental Illness
 
If you are worried that your child may be at risk for suicide
If at any point, you are worried about your child’s immediate safety (or their friend’s, cousin’s, etc.), please reach out for help from a mental health professional immediately.  Tips for Supporting your Child can serve as a guide for navigating this challenging and extremely important situation.

Additional Resources
Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)
Colorado Crisis Text - text TALK to 38255
Police - 911
A TECH TIP - WHAT IS SECURLY?
As you are helping to facilitate remote learning, you might see your student be prompted to log into Securly to use an internet browser. Securly is the application that manages web filtering on Jeffco-issued devices when they are being used outside of the Jeffco network. Your student’s Jeffco Gmail address and password should log them into the application with no issues.

In addition, Jeffco is in the process of launching the use of the SecurlyHome app for parents/guardians to use to monitor their students’ activities on their Jeffco devices. This has been turned on district-wide, but the welcome emails are being delivered slower than expected. Visit the public website for more information about Securly and the SecurlyHome app.
ACCESS TO E-BOOKS AND FAMILY RESOURCES FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Are you looking for family read-alouds or audio books students can listen to while we are learning remotely and the public library is closed? The Jefferson County Public Library has some amazing electronic books and online resources that might interest you. Get started here .
DID YOU KNOW...
...that social distancing is very important right now?
...that public schools in Colorado will remain closed until April 17 per the Governor Polis' order to extend school closures?
Learn more about these topics on our FAQ page .
WANT TO HELP FAMILIES IMPACTED BY COVID-19?
Jeffco Schools Foundation has a designated fund for Jeffco Public Schools.
FOOD SERVICE LOCATIONS
Grab and Go Meals
Anyone 18 and younger
Through Friday, March 27
Breakfast 8 - 9am
Lunch 11:30a - 12:30p
Arvada K-8
Alameda High
Colorow Elementary
Edgewater Elementary
Foothills Elementary
Lasley Elementary
Parr Elementary
Wayne Carle Middle
Welchester Elementary
West Jefferson Elementary
Wheat Ridge High
You no longer need to bring each person you need a meal for to the pickup site; you do not need to bring your children. Please do not come if you are sick. In case of severe weather, locations will not operate.