Agency Resources 

PA Department of Education

PA Department of Health

Center for Disease Control

World Health Organization (WHO)

National Institutes of Health

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health COVID-19 Fact Sheet (PDF)

Talking to Children About COVID-19 - Parent Resources

Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious.  While we don't know where and to what extent the disease may spread here in the United States, we do know that it is contagious, that the severity of illness can vary from individual to individual, and that there are steps we can take to prevent the spread of infection.  Acknowledging some level of concern, without panicking, is appropriate and can result in taking actions that reduce the risk of illness.  Please review the resources listed below:

Helping Parents & Caregivers Navigate a School Year Like No Other - Virtual Series (PDF)

Parent Session - Strategies to Keep the Calm in Difficult Times

Keeping Calm and Providing Supportive Parenting During the Coronovirus (PDF)

Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource

Students Are Lonely: What Happens When Coronavirus Forces Schools Online

National Assoc. of School Psychologists Recommendations (PDF)

Coronavirus Fact Sheet ENGLISH (PDF)

Coronavirus Fact Sheet SPANISH (PDF)

Stop the Spread of Germs ENGLISH (PDF)

Stop the Spread of Germs SPANISH (PDF)

Wash Your Hands Poster ENGLISH (PDF)

Wash Your Hands Poster SPANISH (PDF)

Disinfectants: The EPA's Approved List (link) 

How to Protect Your Family

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 Coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Focus on the suggestions below to keep your family healthy and help prevent the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

• Keep children away from others who are sick, and keep them home when they are ill.

• Teach children to cough and sneeze into a tissue (make sure to throw it away after each use) or to cough and sneeze into the arm or elbow, not the hands.

• Clean and disinfect household objects and surfaces in your home.

• Avoid touching your face; teach your children to do the same.

• Avoid travel to highly infected areas.

If your child has been exposed to the virus, or you are concerned about your child's symptoms, call your pediatrician immediately.

 Student and Family Well-Being

PBS article about talking to kids about coronavirus.

Pandemic resources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Resources on managing anxiety from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

Psychology Today article on parenting during school closures.

ASCD shares a “Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child” approach to health crises.

CDC’s guide to coping with disaster.

Morningside Center’s guidelines for talking to students about Coronavirus.

Sample middle school home learning schedule.

A comic from NPR to help explain coronavirus to kids