COVID-19 Resources To Help You Navigate School Closures

As KIPP continues to monitor the latest news regarding COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) pandemic, we want to share some additional resources as you deal with school closures and the obstacles you may face.

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As KIPP continues to monitor the latest news regarding the COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) pandemic, we want to share some additional resources as you deal with school closures and the obstacles you may face. As we follow the spread of the coronavirus and receive further guidance from public health organizations, we will provide timely information on our COVID-19 updates page.

Remote Learning, Student Support, & Family Communication Resources. Leaders from KIPP schools and regions have created or sourced several resources, templates, and guidelines for communicating with families and staff, managing remote learning, and providing support to students.

  • We compiled those resources and they’re available for all to use and share in this folder.

Free Educational Resources. There are a wealth of free educational resources available during this time.

  • Some popular websites are BrainPop, ClassDojo, Khan Academy, Kids Discovery, and HippoCampus which are either free or being offered for free at this time.  Visit the Amazing Educational Resources website for an extensive list of even more free resources for your student.
  • Google is providing free resources for educators and IT administrators preparing for potential school closures or currently facing them to engage students through distance learning.

Free WiFi Hotspots. Internet providers are providing free hot spots and broadband service to students and families in need.

  • Comcast, Xfinity, AT&T and Spectrum announced all their hotspots are free.
  • Comcast Free Internet Essentials broadband program gives families 60 days of free internet. To sign up go to their website  or call 1 855-846-8376 for English and 1 855 765-6995 for Spanish.
  •  T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Comcast are all lifting their unlimited data caps for cell phone subscribers for at least 60 days.
  • Charter is offering free broadband for households with students through college age who don’t already have a subscription. To apply call (844) 488-8395. installation fees will be waived for new student households.

Food Resources. Many school districts that have closed continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to all children under the age of 18.

  • Please visit individual school and regional pages in our school directory for more information on meal pickups in your area.
  • The National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3 HUNGRY and 1-877-8 HAMBRE (1-866-348-6479 and 1-877-842-6273) refers people in need of emergency food assistance to food pantries, government programs, and model grassroots organizations.
  • If your financial situation has changed you also have the opportunity to apply for free and reduced lunch now.

Unemployment Insurance. The Federal Government is allowing states to amend the unemployment insurance flexibility to provide assistance for multiple scenarios relating to COVID-19.

  • The federal law allows states to pay benefits if an employer temporarily closes due to COVID-19. It allows states to pay benefits if a person is quarantined and is expected to return to work after the quarantine is over.
  • Benefits may be paid to an individual who leaves employment due to risk of exposure or infection or in the event that they need to care for a family member. The federal law states that a person does not need to quit their job in order to receive benefits due to the impact of COVID-19.  For more information go to the Department of Labor Website (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic).

Additional Resources.