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COVID-19 Resources for Kids, Families & Businesses

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DIGITAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE This list as of 8:30am on 4/21/20, items added since the last post are marked with NEW! We have made the URLs visible so you can copy/paste this page - feel free to share.If you have additional resources please email: Alison Barlow at abarlow@stpeteinnovationdistrict.com

  1. EARLY LEARNING (birth-PreK)
  • Read Strong Pinellas - useful tips and resources.

https://read-strong.org/reading-tips/

  • WEDU – our local PBS station resource page with programming schedule and downloadable curriculum guides.

https://www.wedu.org/edconnect/?utm_source=Unknown+List&utm_campaign=c70c39eedb-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_19_02_50&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-c70c39eedb-&mc_cid=c70c39eedb&mc_eid=%5bUNIQID%5d&utm_source=WEDU+PBS&utm_campaign=4c3e62fd53-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_19_08_46&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5846a83b8d-4c3e62fd53-297389161&mc_cid=4c3e62fd53&mc_eid=5816337b32

  • ABC Mouse - membership-based service that includes stories and other materials. Free members while schools are closed: SCHOOL7771 (we couldn’t verify this but they do offer 30 days free on the home page).

https://www.abcmouse.com/abt/register

  • Audible - select audiobooks for free.

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

  • Scholastic - tools for parents and teachers.

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

  • Meals on Wheels for Kids

https://www.facebook.com/AcademyPrepStPete/photos/a.10152247902053683/10157291564893683/?type=3&theater

  1. STUDENTS/TEACHERS (K-12)

School Work

  • Pinellas County Schools - general info plus links to useful tools.

https://www.pcsb.org/Page/32734

  • Boys & Girls Club - youth development toolbox.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.ydtoolbox&hl=en_US&fbclid=IwAR2_IWYvYr3ViS01Muiz9Dhpv8A35TjU2POrHGlqaSmFAL7PWA__nJF9duE

  • Florida Virtual School - resources to support online learning (expect to see more available on this site over time).

https://flvs.net/

  • Khan Academy - free classes (some might be helpful to support online learning).

https://www.khanacademy.org/

  • Online Tutoring by GoPeer - College students will help K-12 students with classwork (free 2 hours by using “FREE120” - use all capital letters).

https://gopeer.org/Reading/Audiobooks

  • Read Strong Pinellas - useful tips and resources.

https://read-strong.org/reading-tips/

  • NEW! Funbrain - games, videos, and books for young readers.

https://www.funbrain.com/

  • NEW! Reading Rocket - tools for young readers, especially ones that are struggling.

https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

  • Audible - select audiobooks for free.

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

  • NEW! Disney Bedtime - fans can hear messages from their favorite Disney characters before bed. Parents call 1-877-7MICKEY (764-2539).
  • Olaf's Storytime – the actor who plays Olaf in Frozen reads bedtime stories on Twitter. Use #GadBookClub to find the videos.
  • Operation Storytime - celebrities are using #operationstorytime to tag themselves reading kids' stories. Here’s a link to an article that includes several of them.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-03-16/coronavirus-operation-storytime-celebritiesSTEM Activities

  • Kitchen Science - A great blog about science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This one is about making ice cream - and it is a great companion to the virtual tour of a dairy farm (see lower on this list).

https://www.missscience.com/kitchen-science-using.../

  • Paper Airplanes – a video on how to make 5 paper airplanes that are promised to fly far. Great tool to talk about construction, engineering and scientific principles (plus its fun!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=SpYS5WtvNvQ&app=desktop

  • Skype a Scientist – you can sign up to talk with a scientist about a number of different topics.

https://www.skypeascientist.com/

  • Physics Girl – tv show by PBS that features science experiments.

https://www.pbs.org/show/physics-girl/

  • Smithsonian National History Museum – several virtual tours of exhibits.

https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour

  • Challenger Center - a great collection of STEM activities specifically made to be done at home with a focus on space (e.g., journey to mars).

https://www.challenger.org/challenger_lessons/stem-at-home/?blm_aid=55180615

  • Marine Biology Camp – live stream every Monday and Thursday at 2pm ET (11am Pacific Time).

https://www.facebook.com/OceansInitiative/

  • Virtual Tour of a Dairy Farm - 3 tours for different age groups.

https://www.americandairy.com/news-and-events/dairy-diary/dairy-farming/virtual-farm-tours-while-youre-stuck-at-home.stmlArt Activities

  • Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems - daily art session at 1pm ET hosted by the Kennedy Center.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/?fbclid=IwAR1U4CPc4j3mMtEDHVoUCOtw8so6r71ydPwvIaCrVi8YzGXBm4W5SXpxzbA

  • Walt Disney Imagineering Class - 32 videos on storytelling, science and other topics.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/hass-storytelling/imagineering-in-a-box?CMP=ILC-DPFY19Q4wo0808190814190031FMore Fun Activities

  • Google 3D Animals - on your phone open google. Then type in an animal such as "tiger" in the search bar. Under the results, you should see a choice "view in 3D." Select that and then you will see a tiger in 3D (might take a second to come up).
  • Schoolhouse Rock - brief videos about vocabulary, civics, and other topics.

https://www.youtube.com/user/SchoolhouseRockTV1?fbclid=IwAR2n6pkC-6pvvHy0XvTwyBGiyztACdQFfWG-QM5c06MNuF0JBTVKDy1nphc

  • PE Classes - hosted at 9am each weekday for 30 minutes by Joe Wicks (they are taped so you can watch them later).

https://www.youtube.com/user/thebodycoach1/featured

  • Hogwarts Digital Escape Room - fun escape room experience for the entire family.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflNxNM0jzbZJjUqOcXkwhGTfii4CM_CA3kCxImbY8c3AABEA/viewform?fbzx=-1750054146667100206&fbclid=IwAR2PFCLaHZ6ADuc6g8fN9KF8IUvCBeIosFmwCO4FlAMzgF9iXsAcmtqkfLsOther Resources for Students/Teachers

  • NEW! Apps for Learners - a list of apps to assist dyslexic learners, autistic learners, visually impaired, or learners with writing difficulties.
  • Teacher Resources – tips and tools for online teaching

Coronavirus: 14 Simple Tips for Better Online Teaching (The Conversation)Free Resources for Schools During COVID-19 Outbreak (The Journal)Moving Your Classes Online? Here’s How to Make It Work (Wired)Professors need to be flexible to successfully transition to online class (The GW Hatchet)Teaching and Learning After COVID-19 (Inside Higher Ed)Student Motivation and Engagement in Online Courses (Science Education Resource CenterHow To Motivate Students Online: What Works And What Doesn’t (eLearning Industry)What Makes a Successful Online Learner? (Minnesota State)

  • National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) – offering a free month of NSTA membership for teachers. This provides access to lots of resources.

https://learningcenter.nsta.org/freemonth/

  • Georgia Science Teachers Association - has been compiling resources for teachers.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18yg4T4-iGQrNoa2weikCZIrpN9_zqJxlh0GAQaWZKoc/edit?fbclid=IwAR1zHHWCBmqqu19PrQpOmfiRRkGKVlpfKNRrnKz8SkyJ2xmjqkupGhhBay0#gid=0

  • Teach at Home – offers daily lessons and activities for K-5th grade students. This includes videos and printable worksheets.

https://www.hand2mindathome.com/

  • Amazing Educational Resources - another list of resources for teachers.

http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/

  • Microsoft Help - how to use Microsoft 365 or Teams.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/distance-learning-with-office-365-guidance-for-parents-and-guardians-89d514f9-bf5e-4374-a731-a75d38ddd588?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

  • List of companies offering free services

https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/?fbclid=IwAR36c2Zi986cRWQpdOX4EqIZ6cbMl1Xp-O68JXE1zfP5MzuKyxrZUmGLZY8

  • Spectrum - free 60-days of the internet if a family doesn’t have the internet at home

https://news.yahoo.com/free-spectrum-internet-60-days-211130208.html

  • Cell Phone Hot Spot - if you are not eligible for the Spectrum free 60-day offer - consider checking with your cell phone provider. Many are extending data plans for free or reduced cost so that users can use a phone as a hotspot to connect a laptop or tablet to the internet.
  • Meals on Wheels for Kids

https://www.facebook.com/AcademyPrepStPete/photos/a.10152247902053683/10157291564893683/?type=3&theater

  1. STUDENTS/TEACHERS (college)
  • IBM Call for Code - accept the challenge to build a COVID-19 issue related solution, form a team, develop a solution, win money.

https://developer.ibm.com/callforcode/

  • JSTOR - digital library for scholars, researchers, and students (some are free to the general public, other parts are being opened up to students at participating universities).

https://about.jstor.org/oa-and-free/

  • National Emergency Library – free resources that provide online books and journals from a number of college libraries and other sources.

http://blog.archive.org/2020/03/24/announcing-a-national-emergency-library-to-provide-digitized-books-to-students-and-the-public/

  • College Pen Pal - an article that explains a new program that connects students from any university / college created by students at USF St Petersburg (article includes a link to sign up).

https://www.usfsp.edu/home/2020/03/20/university-students-flock-to-new-usf-pen-pal-program-during-social-distancing/

  • Student Aid Information - useful FAQs about government loans.

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirusWORKFORCE (seeking employment or are employed)Jobs

  • St Pete Works - community collaboration where you can find and apply for a number of jobs

https://stpeteworks.org/

  • Catalyst Jobs - available jobs in nonprofits that need to be filled immediately. Workers need only apply once to the job they want most; the St. Petersburg Foundation will work on fitting applicants with other jobs if their first choice is filled.

Impacted workers can view the Jobs Board here: https://stpete.foundation/jobs/Apply for jobs here: https://stpete.foundation/apply/

  • Career Source Virtual Job Fair - running from March 26-April 2.

https://www.facebook.com/events/184977036117661/

  • Become St Pete - St Pete Economic Development Corp's posting of local job openings.

https://becomestpete.com/

  • IBM Call for Code - accept the challenge to build a COVID-19 issue related solution, form a team, develop a solution, win money.

https://developer.ibm.com/callforcode/Training

  • St Pete College's Technology Class - free course on technology essentials overview including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud.

https://spcollege.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=77773&int_category_id=1&int_sub_category_id=377&int_catalog_id=0

  • Hospitality Certificate Program from Florida Atlantic University - free certificate to hospitality and tourism workers. Five online sessions in April and include hospitality law, career competencies, marketing and revenue management, and service excellence. DEADLINE to register is April 7th.

https://business.fau.edu/executive-education/professional-development/course-offerings/hospitality/hospitality-and-tourism/index.php

  • Class Central - Classes from eight different universities / colleges that are available for free with a wide range of topics including computer science, math, design, and personal development.

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/ivy-league-free-online-courses-a0d7ae675869/

  • Nanodegree - one free month on one of 40 programs. This is an article that explains the offer.

https://blog.udacity.com/2020/03/one-month-free-on-nanodegrees.html?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=one-month-free-on-nanodegrees

  • IBM’s Design Thinking Program - program and toolkit to develop human-centric problem-solving.

https://www.ibm.com/design/thinking/COMMUNITY (adults, families, etc.)Art/Culture Activities

  • Catalyst Session - this article explains the new FaceBook events (weekdays at 7pm) that feature members of the St. Pete arts scene.

https://stpetecatalyst.com/the-catalyst-sessions-begins-tonight-on-facebook-live/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+Spark+3-25-2020&utm_content=Daily+Spark+3-25-2020+CID_4d01a5afd352474b26449b9ef2d44789&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_term=Read+more&fbclid=IwAR08gWYyEp-yNuNX7rbbZRrMnc_84RGFZ_m8GUY04ukICBU94b6uiTtup1s

  • NEW! Florida Orchestra - a fun performance titled Thank You, Tampa Bay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7XBpHFpmuw

  • Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg - check out their Facebook page for details on virtual activities.

https://www.facebook.com/MFAStPete/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARBao3IOLyI7x8YpkJ7EZJx_vGQCvrv82A64J9Gg0IuLWm39QHxz6q3OXNMEWU03y50-cZZXSs8agIuzNEW! MFA has also added Art Break - crafts you can do at home inspired by their collection.https://mfastpete.org/art-break-with-the-mfa/

  • The Florida Holocaust Museum - new interactive weekly educational series at 1:00pm ET on Tuesdays (Testimony Tuesday featuring a Holocaust Survivor or a Second Generation Survivor), Wednesdays (Artifact Wednesday featuring an artifact from the collection), and Thursdays (Lesson Thursday featuring various lessons and educational themes).

facebook.com/TheFHM

And digital resources on their website including

online curriculum (https://www.flholocaustmuseum.org/learn/curriculum), collections (https://www.flholocaustmuseum.org/explore-2/collections), Holocaust Survivor testimonies (https://www.flholocaustmuseum.org/explore-2/testimonies), and more (https://www.flholocaustmuseum.org).

  • Florida Craft Art - a virtual tour of their latest exhibit.

https://floridacraftart.org/exhibitions/contemporary-fiber-in-florida-2020/?mc_cid=4f0efe7488&mc_eid=37a2eb9a98

  • The Dali – augmented reality and themed virtual tours.

https://thedali.org/exhibit/visit-us-virtually/

  • Circus Arts - the Circus Arts Conservatory team (in Sarasota) has launched CAC Connects, a new online platform designed to bring performance, training, education, and outreach.

https://circusarts.org/?fbclid=IwAR2RRfar8johTnSGq-N1F9F0dSgGx1g5fNM7PKELCYCU70augZ0xDhB_aGs

  • NEW! Google Arts & Culture - an online platform dedicated to providing public access to the collections of some of the world’s most preeminent art museums, developed by Google, has partnered with over 500 global art institutions to open their virtual doors to the public.

https://artsandculture.google.com/

  • NEW! Keukenhof Tulip Garden - a virtual tour of one of Holland's most famous tulip gardens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iomUN9o4r0&feature=emb_title

  • Alvin Ailey – this amazing dance company is hosting online performances and classes.

https://www.alvinailey.org/ailey-all-access

  • Broadway Plays - this article provides a list of plays you can watch for free.

https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-homeAlso here is another useful link: https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/stage-shows-musicals-opera-free-stream-online_51198.html

  • National Theatre - starting April 2 every Thursday from 7pm UK time, you will be able to watch live British theatre. This link takes you to their FaceBook page for details.

https://www.facebook.com/ntlive/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARDimCk0cmvJBWxs3Dx5fL50LZPaTUtoUvxy9vQEvcv29G4uRUlOtjdKllfQqXuLuh8NQqekxO3PFsTJ

  • HBO – offering free streaming of many shows.

https://play.hbonow.com/collection/urn:hbo:collection:id5e84771834a88f00315ae957?_ga=2.11254450.743938444.1586788968-1920233969.1586788968

  • 12 hours of Jazz

https://thevinylfactory.com/news/12-hour-history-of-spiritual-jazz-mix/?fbclid=IwAR2OmqEKtBMseRDpxb44EWGz5PmOv0T40urevD_kTReFHxDdiw9NmSTPSPQSTEM Activities

  • Google Earth - tour various National Parks (this link takes you to the Acadia National Park in Maine).

https://earth.google.com/web/@44.3498172,-68.1913585,251.84929907a,0d,60y,218.33090002h,91.16775869t,0r/data=CjASLhIgNTI3MGUwMzgyZWQ4MTFlOThmMWM0N2VkNWZmY2M1NDAiCmdjc19pdGluXzEiMAosQUYxUWlwTUgzdlh1d3ZneU04RHZya2oxRGFUMmY4NHJIQklJY2J0aUVuM0UQBQExercise

  • YMCA - a great collection of virtual workouts.

https://www.stpeteymca.org/membership/new-virtual-services/Reading

  • Pinellas County Library Cooperative (includes St Pete Library system) - Overdrive/Libby program for downloadable books and audiobooks (requires a library card).

https://pplc.overdrive.com/

  • NYC Library - downloadable books.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-download-over-300-000-books-from-the-nypl-for-free-031820

  • SCRIBD - downloadable books, audiobooks, and magazines for 30 days.

https://www.scribd.com/readfree?utm_source=readfreeOther Resources for the Community

  • 211 - one-stop for lots of resources (online and via phone).

https://211tampabay.org/

  • St Pete Together – a community developed resource page.

https://stpetetogether.com/resources/

  • Fact-Checking COVID-19 - Poynter Institute (in St Pete) and fact-checking organizations around the world have compiled a database of misinformation about COVID-19.

https://www.poynter.org/ifcn-covid-19-misinformation/

  • Mortgage Furlough

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/19/818343720/homeowners-hurt-financially-by-the-coronavirus-may-get-a-mortgage-break?fbclid=IwAR3BWxnYTpZ05jayekX8l1xxf96_eTHYKV6dug_GFa0JtcK6klMdIcb9_d0

  • PSTA - Free Transportation

https://psta.net/about-psta/news/articles/psta-response-to-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR00pvYkxPqaWJW7oJzLfG2sYEWZcKG4A9SHfzkhRUDHBsrTY9H0tRRTSfw

  • United Way Suncoast Assistance Center - one-stop for lots of resources.

https://unitedtoact.org/unitedwaysuncoast/coronavirus-assistance-centerBUSINESSES (includes entrepreneurs)Assistance

  • Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund - fund for nonprofits and government agencies providing services related to COVID-19.

https://pinellascf.org/TBRF/

  • Fighting Chance Fund - City of St. Petersburg has created the Fighting Chance Fund – an emergency grant for St. Pete’s negatively impacted independently owned and operated small businesses.

http://www.stpete.org/assistance/fighting_chance_fund.php

  • One Community Business Network - vital resources to support community businesses (and how you can help).

http://www.theburgvotes.com/2020/03/25/new-grants-free-consulting-more-for-community-businesses-battling-to-survive-the-pandemic/

  • Individual Artist Grant Program - grants provided by the City of St Pete and the St Pete Arts Alliance (deadline extended).

https://stpeteartsalliance.org/applications-open-for-2020-individual-artist-grants/

  • CARES Act - information about the new CARES Act which includes the Paycheck Protection Program. This new program will allow businesses with fewer than 500 employees access to funds to pay operating expenses, rent and to keep their employees working for the next two months. If certain conditions are met, these loans will be forgiven. Reach out directly to your bank to determine the next steps.

The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce presents: Coronavirus Impact Insights CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY LOANS Small Business Guide and ChecklistGUIDE TO THE CARES ACT

  • St Pete Greenhouse - one-stop for business resources.

https://stpetegreenhouse.com/prepare/

  • Pinellas County Small Business Assistance - useful county/state resources.

https://www.pced.org/page/disaster

  • SBA programs - loans for both small businesses and nonprofits (originally nonprofits were not included).

https://floridadisasterloan.org/

  • St Pete Chamber of Commerce - list of resources.

https://www.stpete.com/resource-guide-for-coronavirus-covid-19/

  • Local Shops 1 - list of resources for small businesses, homeowners + renters.

https://www.localshops1.com/blog/resources-for-small-businesses-homeowners-renters?fbclid=IwAR0EtHh-JGm86UFgjJMztkQTvkG5Gx9D5OXZOy8mV12omOjX69ySwvbeZIM

  • Visit St. Pete Clearwater - list of resources.

https://marketing.visitspc.com/acton/rif/40563/s-0059-2003/-/l-0019:c0a/l-0019/showPreparedMessage?utm_term=Click%20here&utm_campaign=COVID-19%20Update%20No.%2010&utm_content=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=email&cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-email-_-COVID-19%20Update%20No.%2010-_-Click%20here&sid=TV2:jTypsSB7iTechnology Help

  • Zoom How-To - a quick video that explains Zoom video conferencing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=arIDQBALrEw&fbclid=IwAR0X8bH1vsbf9VPeEmCjknX0sh6Ab62V-goUNT5GRronk0au553WIWxXYKo&app=desktop

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