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Superintendent Baesler's Family Cabinet, in partnership with the NDDPI Family Engagement Team, has created a COVID-19 Resource Toolkit for families. There are two lists of vetted resources:

  • one containing links to crisis interventions, social-emotional/behavioral health, and local family resources;
  • and one with links to educational resources for distance learning.

There is a list of commonly used distance learning platforms being utilized by North Dakota schools, along with tutorials on how to navigate each of those platforms. Finally, there are a few tips, tricks and scheduling ideas for parents working to lead students through this unprecedented transition in the way our kids are learning. Please understand that while we are providing the information, we do not endorse any specific resource and are not responsible for your experience with outside entities.

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ND Family Resources - Crisis Interventions and Local Family Resources

Links to local resources for families struggling with financial issues, in need of food or shelter, special healthcare assistance, prevention of child abuse, and/or other family support services.

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ND Family Resources - Educational Resources

Links to resources to help parents, caregivers, and students through the transition to distance learning and ongoing educational opportunities.

  • ACTE – distance learning resources for CTE
  • Albert – 100+ tools for distance learning and strategies for student engagement
  • EdNavigator - The Busy Family's Guide to School - developed by parents to be a one-stop resource and includes age-by-age guidance on major education milestones, how-to articles, practical tips and more
  • Family Engagement in Early Childhood Settings in North Dakota 
  • Learning Heroes – learning at home supports for parents and families
  • Learning Keeps Going – tips and resources for parents, teachers, and leaders including free technology and webinars with hundreds of different tools
  • Illinois Early Learning Project – multilingual tip sheets for many early childhood education topics
  • NAFSCE – National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement
  • National PTA – resources to support families and teachers who are navigating working, teaching, and learning at home
  • North Dakota State Library – services for the public, including talking books, newsletters, publications, and more
  • OPB – help for those who have suddenly become your child’s teacher (Oregon)
  • Ready4K – evidence-based family engagement through text messaging
  • Reading Rockets – resources to keep kids learning at home
  • RU Ready – online tools for high school, college, and career planning
  • Scholastic Learn at Home – free resources for distance learning for pre-K – 9th grade
  • SETDA Coalition for eLearning – provides many resources for parents leading distance learning
  • Shape America – virtual resources for health and physical education
  • Swing Education – 20 online learning resources for parents
  • Waterford Resources - family resources provided by Waterford
  • Waterford UpStart - free online kindergarten readiness program, including free laptop computer for households with 4-year-olds (see bottom of NDDPI Early Childhood Education web page for additional information)
  • We Are Teachers – 200+ online learning resources for teachers and student
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Common ND Distance Learning Platform Tutorials

This is a listing of platforms being used by school districts in North Dakota and tutorials on how to use them. This is not an exhaustive list and simply highlights some of the most common platforms. If you have platforms or additional tutorials to add, please email to the Family Engagement Core Team.

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Distance Learning Tips, Tricks, and Scheduling
  • Join the ND Family Engagement Facebook Group!
  • Please do not expect your student to spend 6-8 hours a day on schoolwork. Homeschooling works differently.
    • Elementary students only need 1-2 hours per day.
    • Middle school students need 2-3 hours daily.
    • High school students need 3-4 hours each day.
  • Let them sleep in, it’s good for their immune system.
  • No need to get dressed, be comfortable.
  • Talk to them about what they want to work on.
  • Let them be part of the planning.
  • Include 1 hour of outside play. Sunshine is good for mental health and the immune system.
  • Spend an hour reading – to each other, to self, to a stuffed animal or pet.
  • Chore time is valuable learning too.
  • Cook something together. A LOT of homeschool math is done in the kitchen.
  • Journal for a few minutes each day. This period in time will be discussed for generations to come. A journal from their distance learning journey during a global pandemic could be shown to their kids and grandkids to help them understand what it was really like.
  • This is a stressful time for all of us. Don’t make it worse by stressing about school.
  • Don’t forget socialization (phone or video calls, etc.) and life skills.
  • Have a time and place for learning. Have a desk, table, or other comfortable space set up for your child to do their schoolwork without too many distractions. A routine helps the kids (and parents) feel more in control because they know what to expect. Set a time to start school, and have everyone eat breakfast, brush teeth, and be ready to learn at that time.
  • Reach out to your friends or parents of your child’s friends. We are all in this together. Even if someone doesn’t have a solution for your issue, it helps to know you’re not alone.
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