Remote Learning Resources and Updates for Families and Educators
Reaching Higher NH is compiling news, resources for families and students, and resources for educators over the next few weeks. As we receive more information, we will update this list.
UPDATE: On Thursday, March 26, Governor Chris Sununu announced a stay-at-home order, applicable to all New Hampshire residents, through Monday, May 4, 2020. Remote learning will be extended until May 4 as well. For more information, visit the State of New Hampshire website.
If you have resources you’d like to share, or have questions about remote learning, please email staff@reachinghighernh.org
This page was last updated on: April 9, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is the latest information on frequently asked questions:
- Will my school still have April vacation? Decisions on school vacations are made by each individual school district. Some NH school districts have chosen to forego April vacation in order to have an earlier summer break, while others have decided to keep their vacation weeks Check with your student's principal for more information.
- When will school get out? The end of school date is set by the local school district. Please contact your student's principal for more information.
- Will my student have to take the annual state test? Governor Chris Sununu announced that all statewide assessments have been cancelled for the Spring 2020 semester. This includes the Grades 3-8 annual statewide assessment, as well as the school-administered SAT in 11th grade. More information about the school-administered SAT is expected shortly.
- Will remote learning extend beyond the stated date? Currently, remote learning is in place through May 4, 2020. Governor Sununu and Commissioner Frank Edelblut have acknowledged that remote learning may extend beyond this date, but they have not announced a decision at this time.
COVID-19 News and Updates
All New Hampshire public schools are closed to students, effective Monday, March 16. Public schools will be closed until Monday, May 4, 2020.
- For more information on the current situation regarding COVID-19 and for resources on how to keep yourself and others healthy, visit: Department of Health and Human Services Updated COVID-19 webpage
- Governor Sununu Issues Emergency Order #1 Pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04 Transitioning NH Schools to Remote Learning, Provides Updated Guidance to School Districts: Executive Order from Governor Chris Sununu regarding school closure and move to remote learning, March 15, 2020
Federal- and State-Level Resources
- COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel: From the US Department of Education, updated March 17, 2020
- Commissioner Edelblut updates schools on COVID-19 response: Press release from the NH DOE, released March 13, 2020
- Webinar from OCR on Online Education and Website Accessibility: Guidance from the federal government on supporting learners with special needs, March 17, 2020. From the US DOE press release: "OCR's accessibility webinar is intended to remind school leaders at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels of their legal obligations to ensure that all students, including students with disabilities, can access online and virtual learning programs," said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kenneth L. Marcus.
- Vocational Rehabilitation shifts to remote meetings: Press release from the NH Department of Education about Vocational Rehabilitation, including contact phone numbers, released March 16, 2020
- NH DOE commissioner Edelblut answers questions about school closures: Interview with Commissioner Edelblut who answers questions on WMUR, including a transcript of the interview, released March 16, 2020
Resources for Families
- VLACS Webinars for Families and Students: Topics include how to use the video conferencing software, the importance of consistency, communicating with school officials, designing space at home, and the importance of movement breaks. Webinars will be held on Thursday, March 19, Friday, March 20, and Monday, March 23.
- Google classroom tutorial for families and students: A four-minute YouTube tutorial on the basics of Google Classroom.
- Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Materials: Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing, from national education publisher Scholastic.
- Great Schools: Home learning guide during school closure: Tips on how to keep your child on track from GreatSchools.org.
- Math Drills: Math worksheets on number sense, arithmetic, pre-algebra, geometry, measurement, money concepts, and more.
- Khan Academy Pre-K - 12th Template Schedules and Learning Resources: Sample schedules for students, and links to Khan Academy learning resources and classes.
- So They've Closed The Schools; Now What?: Tips on how to support learning at home during this time, from the Center for Collaborative Education.
- When Homeschooling is Your Temporary New Reality!: Tips for elementary school families, from Trillium Montessori.
- Let's talk: How to hold family meetings: Advice on family meetings, from Spokane, Washington-based newspaper The Spokesman Review.
Resources for Educators
- Making the Most of “Going Virtual” in Response to COVID-19: Strategies on working from home, from Education First, an all-virtual organization where their team members work exclusively online. Tips on office norms, collaborating with tech, best practices, and running virtual meetings.
- I've Been Teaching Online for Years. Here's How to Prevent Burnout During a School Closure: During the coronavirus pandemic, it can be a difficult adjustment to work from home. Online educator Kiesha Easley offers five strategies to protect your mental health, from Education Week.
- VLACS Webinars for Educators: VLACS will host a series of webinars through the next two weeks. Topics include Creating an Academic Helpdesk for Online Learners, Essential Virtual Meeting Room Skills for Remote Instructors, and Communicating with Remote Learners.
- Great Schools: Home learning guide during school closure: Tips on how to keep your child on track from GreatSchools.org.
- Virtual Learning Resources for Educators: Resources and guidance for educators regarding virtual instruction to students, as well as a teacher forum, from the NH Learning Initiative.
- Here's The Entire List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings: From KidsActivities.com.
- 25 Learning Tools for When School is Closed: A list of sites, platforms and online resources support remote learning when school is closed, from Tech&Learning
- Nepris: Nepris connects educators and learners with a network of industry professionals, virtually, bringing real-world relevance and career exposure to all students. Nepris also provides a skills-based volunteering platform for organizations to extend education outreach, and build their brand among the future workforce. This service is available for free, through April.
Resources for Industry & Business
- NH ELON Seeking NH-Industry Specific Videos: The NH Extended Learning Opportunity Network is offering industry an opportunity to forward along exploratory information about their company that they can categorize by career cluster and / or N.H. industry and distribute to schools. There is a high demand for content, and NH ELON is working to help industries and businesses get information to districts quickly. Learn more about the effort in this announcement.
Legislative Updates
The NH General Court has suspended all legislative activities through May 4. During this time, the State House will be closed to legislative members, legislative staff, and visitors.Visit the NH General Court webpage for more information.
Looking for resources specifically for children with disabilities? The Parent Information Center of NH (PIC NH) has a comprehensive guide with answers to frequently asked questions and resources for families of children with disabilities: https://picnh.org/resources/covid19/
Disclaimer: The resources and information included on this page are for informational purposes only. Products, services, companies, providers, or organizations included in this page are not explicitly endorsed by Reaching Higher NH.
Send us your questions and resources
Do you have resources that you'd like included on this list? Do you have questions about remote learning? Send them to us at staff@reachinghighernh.org!