When will school  re-open for Cambridge children and youth? 
September 16, 2020: Remote Learning Begins for All
Read more about the Cambridge Public Schools reopening plan.

When will OST programs re-open?
Unless programs qualify for an exception to re-open as an emergency childcare facility for essential workers, Governor Baker’s order to close applies to OST Programs.  OST programs websites should have the most up to date information about program status and when they will re-open. The City of Cambridge provides information about city-run OST programs at https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19. 
FindIt Cambridge  provides additional information about OST Programs for families and those who are helping families.  

Will AFCOST continue to host Middle School Network (MSN) Meetings?
While our facilities remain closed, we will continue to host MSN Meetings online. Please register on Sched.  Our MSN Coordinator will be sending out invitations to OST staff to participate in virtual meetings.  We are hoping that OST staff will be able to join using internet enabled computers or phones so that we can continue to explore ways that we can continue to work together to support the learning and development of our youth and families during these challenging times.  We want to maintain and strengthen our social connection, even while we are practicing physical distancing. 

Will AFCOST continue to host Communities of Practice Sessions (COPs)?
While our facilities remain closed, we will continue to host COPs online.  Please register on Sched. Our CoP Facilitators will be sending out invitations to OST staff to participate in virtual meetings.  We are hoping that OST staff will be able to join using internet enabled computers or phones so that we can continue to explore ways that we can continue to work together to support the learning and development of our children, youth, and families during these challenging times.  We want to maintain and strengthen our social connection, even while we are practicing physical distancing. 

Will AFCOST continue to host Professional Development Trainings? 
In addition to participating in Virtual COPs and MSN Meetings, AFCOST is coordinating with our talented trainers to explore opportunities to offer workshops using online platforms.  Please be on the lookout for our next Professional Development Newsletter and check our Training Schedule for more information. We will also be recommending additional resources on our website that will be beneficial for OST Staff.   

What does "school" look like right now for the majority of Cambridge children and youth? 

• Young people in grades 3-8 were sent home with chromebooks, grades 9-12 already have chromebooks. Students will continue to have access to chromebooks and hotspots during the summer.
• Summer programs will be delivered virtually.
• CPSD will continue to use Google classroom as the main vehicle being used to communicate assignments and announcements;  Summer Programs have an opportunity to request access to the district's Google Classroom platform.
• Video chats are being done in Google Meet: because this tool is within the district’s G-suite, all is automatically recorded on CPS servers as a safety precaution (unlike Zoom)

When will we know what is happening with Fall Out-of-School Time Programs? 
 To find other opportunities, check out www.finditcambridge.org, call/text 617.686.2998, or email info@finditcambridge.org.
​Programs are continuing to update their opportunities based on the recent state guidelines, so check back often!
 
What resources are available to help children and youth learn while schools and out-of-school time programs are closed? 

• Cambridge Public Schools sent students in grades 3 - 12 home with Chromebooks.  CPSD has organized resources for families at CPS@home.  
• WGBH is partnering with schools to provide educational programming through their Distance Learning Center.  They have posted  their KidsTV Schedule.   
• Keep scrolling for a list of free recommended home learning resources for OST Providers and families. 
• Send us your recommendations so we can add them to our list.

How can OST professionals and families access low cost internet services?

• Cambridge public school students in grades 3-12 were sent home with Chromebooks so that they can complete school work during the closings.  Families can reach out to their child(ren)'s teacher or school family liaison if they need an internet hotspot in order to access schoolwork. 
• Free Comcast - Low income families can get Free Comcast Essentials for 60 days.
• Also Xfinity HotSpots:  Everyone can access out-of-home WiFi hotspots: Xfinity WiFi Hotspots in out-of-home locations are available for free to anyone who needs them to support communities through this challenging time. Follow instructions at xfinity.com/wifi to join a hotspot.

What resources are available to help private and/or publicly funded nonprofit programs impacted by the closures?
Information about resources that are available to assist small businesses, including community-based nonprofit organizations impacted by the closures is available.  To find out more, please visit:

• For information on Cambridge’s ongoing small business programs and grants, click here
  If you have questions or concerns about operating your Cambridge small business, please contact Pardis Saffari at:   psaffari@cambridgema.gov
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Relief Loan Program
• Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund
• Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
• National After School Association Professional Development Resources

Where can I go to find out about alternative food sites while schools and OST programs are closed?
Beginning Monday, June 22, the City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) will begin operating its annual Cambridge Summer Food Program and open applications for its free Online/Offline Summer Programming. Both programs will support and engage Cambridge youth while following the Commonwealth’s health and safety guidelines, including proper social distancing and use of face coverings. The Cambridge Summer Food Program, which aims to increase food security for all Cambridge youth, provides free bagged breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 years of age and under. Every weekday beginning Monday, June 22 through Friday, September 4, Cambridge youth can pick up free breakfast and lunch meals (including vegetarian options) between 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the following locations:

• 35 Cambridge Park Drive
• Fletcher-Maynard Academy (225 Windsor St.)
• Haggerty School (110 Cushing St.)
• King Open School (840 Cambridge St.)
• Morse School (40 Granite St.)
• Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave.)
• Putnam Ave. Upper School (100 Putnam Ave.)
• Rindge Towers (362 Rindge Ave.)

View interactive map of pick-up locations >>

Other Food Resources:
Cambridge Food pantries:

• East End House - 105 Spring St. 02141 - Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 to 12:30 p.m.  
• Cambridge Community Center - 5 Callender St. 02139 - Tuesday - Friday from 1:00 to 3:00. 
• Margaret Fuller House - 71 Cherry St. 02139 - Wed 5pm - 7:30pm, Thur 2pm - 5pm,  Fri 9am - 12pm, Sat 11am - 2pm

• Cambridge in Motion, coordinated by the Cambridge Public Health Department, is maintaining the most up to date information about food pantry and meal program operations in Cambridge. Here is a list of Food resources in Cambridge, along with additional cooking and physical activity resources that we hope are helpful during this time. 

Cambridge Community Food Line
The City and Food for Free have set up the Cambridge Community Food Line (617-349-9155)  to delivery weekly shelf-stable groceries to Cambridge residents who are at high risk of food insecurity. You qualify for this grocery delivery service if:

• The food pantry or meal program you used has closed until further notice
• You have lost your job or part of your income and cannot afford groceries at this time
• You are homebound due to illness, disability, or quarantine and do not have support that can bring you food
• You are at high risk for COVID-19 and do not have access to a regular food source

Note: The Cambridge Community Food Line will provide groceries to anyone who meets the criteria above, regardless of immigration status.
To participate, call 617-349-9155. You will be prompted to leave a voicemail with your name, number, and address. A member of our staff will call you back within 24 hours to confirm that you meet the criteria for food item delivery. If you meet the criteria, you will be added to the weekly distribution list.

What should families do if they are worried about paying rent, mortgage, utilities due to closures? 
If you are worried about paying rent, mortgage, utilities, etc., please visit the City's resource page. There IS help available!

What resources are available for families experiencing crisis?
Resources for times of crisis: 

• The Parental Stress Line- “parents helping parents” – available 24/7 in all languages 1-800-632-8188
• SafeLink -Massachusetts statewide domestic violence support and resources: 24/7 helpline: 877-785-2020
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 with chat available here
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Emergency Contacts for Students Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis:  

• Outpatient therapist or psychiatrist (if you already have one)
• Your child’s physician
• BEST Team (Boston Emergency Service Team): 800-981-4357
• Hospital Emergency Room The Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) of the Cambridge Health Alliance is located in the Emergency Department at the CHA Cambridge Hospital campus, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge. The PES serves people of all ages from across the Greater Boston region. Psychiatrists and clinical social workers are on duty 24-hours a day to help manage all acute mental health emergencies. Call 911 for immediate medical help or PES . . . 617-665-1560
• Contact your child’s principal and email Jean Spera, Director of OSS at jspera@cpsd.us
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://nami-cambridgemiddlesex.org/crisis-info/
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK or (800) SUICIDE Available 24/7 Text ANSWER to 839863
• The Trevor Project: A confidential helpline for LGBTQ teens Available 24/7. Call 1-866-273-8255​
• Riverside Community Care has lots of great resources for parents, like their Telehealth In-Home Therapy program, which is totally free to anyone that is eligible for Mass Health: https://www.finditcambridge.org/programs/telehealth-home-therapy-riverside?fbclid=IwAR0IJ6VeRXm86hESUqHpuY5WFq8CkUVoRGtTzIwF3ZO_EzNiZty82hbK-UQ
  Provides supports and interventions to address a child's behavior or emotional crisis using personalized strategies.  Clinicians meet with the family and child in their home, as needed to address daily living, social interactions, and communication.  Free to Mass Health Eligible Members
  
  

Now that masks are required in public, where can I find one?  How can I make one?
Masks are available at the Cambridge Police Department, which is located at 125 6th Street, 7 days a week between the hours of 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. or until daily supplies are depleted. 
You can make your face covering easily at home by using a scarf, bandana or other cotton cloth. There are a number of easy “do it yourself” videos and instructions to help you make your own cloth face covering at home, including:

• The CDC website has a few patterns, including one that involves a coffee filter and another that requires no sewing — just scissors and the willingness to sacrifice a T-shirt! Surgeon General Jerome Adams released a video of himself making a mask out of cloth and rubber bands.
• Cambridge Health Alliance also offers a “how to” here.
• A simple no-sew mask that has a bridge for your nose, which can help keep your glasses from fogging up.

**IF you need masks for yourself and your family, and aren’t able to pick them up from the Police Station or make them, please contact the family liaison from your child(ren)'s school and let them know how many child and adults masks you need.  They MAY be able to send you some, depending on supplies.

In what ways can I be of service in the community?

• Make donations to nonprofits whose mission you support. 
• Join the Cambridge Mutual Aid Network.
• If you are able, donate blood through your local Red Cross chapter
• If you want to learn more about efforts to support the homeless population in Cambridge, please check out the fundraiser for the Material Aid & Advocacy Program. They are raising money to support more staffing during this crisis. They also accept donations of certain items, check their website.
• If you know how to sew, consider making and donating some masks. They're not as good as the surgical ones, but there is a serious shortage and anything helps.
• A reminder that Food for Free has organized to provide free breakfasts and lunches to families that need them, and other food deliveries as well. To volunteer to help distribute food, go to their website.

Write to us with any additional questions and/or resources. 

Free Learning Resources & Curricula for OST Programs and Families

• CPSD@Home - Resources to support student learning at home
• ​ MIT Full STEAM Ahead - Weekly Thematic STEAM lesson packages
• Cambridge Public Library - Free digital services 
• STEM Resources from TERC​ - Free STEM curriculum and activity ideas
• PBS Mass Learning Resources - Free curricula for educators
• PBS Kids Lab Educational Resources - more Free curricula for educators
• ​Scholastic Learn at Home - Free teaching resources
• Parent Toolkit - one-stop resource produced and developed with parents in mind
• ​Edutopia:  How to Support Home Learning in the Early Grades - article 
• National Geographic Kids - Free, fun learning resources for children
• Go Noodle - Resources to promote movement and mindfulness at home 
• 12 Virtual Museum Tours - Free virtual tours
• Boston Children's Museum Educator Resources - Curriculum kits and field trip information
• The Exploratorium - Free Online Learning resources and digital library
• NASA Afterschool Universe - Free STEM curriculum and activity ideas
• SEDL: Afterschool Lesson Database - Free sample lesson plans for OST

We'll continue to add to this list.  Click here to share your favorites with us! 

More Resources for Talking with Children

Check out this link from the Harvard Graduate School of Education for helping children copy with coronavirus and uncertainty. ​

Date last updated:  May 12, 2020

What advice is available on talking about Coronavirus with children and teens?
@cambridge_cpsd shared the following resources may be helpful in speaking with students and your own children about the COVID-19 outbreak.

• How to Talk to Children about the Coronavirus (Harvard Medical School)
• Talking to Teen/Tweens about Coronavirus (New York Times)
• Resource on Emotions & Coronavirus
• Just for Kids: A comic about Coronavirus (NPR)
• Guide for Parents on Talking to Children about COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists)