Updated March 30, 2020

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I hope that you and your families are safe and well.

We have just concluded the first week of our distance learning program, and while we are most definitely building the plane and flying it at the same time, we are pleased with the Week One effort. We are so happy to be reconnected to our students!

While we are in Distance Learning mode, we need your help. Please:

• Make sure your students are checking into all of their classes at the scheduled class check-in times. See the CGHS Distance Learning Schedule here.
• Make sure your students are checking email–a primary mode of communication while we are working remotely–multiple times a day.
• Reach out to other school families to make sure they are connecting! It takes a village!

We have many people lined up to support you and your student while we are engaged in Distance Learning:

• If your student needs additional academic support, you can email a teacher directly. You can also ask the teacher to schedule a Zoom conference with you. 
• You can request specific academic support for your student using our Academic Support Scheduler.
• If you have student support concerns, you can reach out directly to our student support staff using the contact info to the right.
• Technology concerns should be referred to Ana Rosa using a Help Desk ticket.

Classes have been cancelled officially for all schools in Connecticut through April 30, but both the Governor and the Commissioner of Education have indicated that we are likely to be experiencing a longer closure; as such, we will be working hard to strengthen our Distance Learning program and will communicate updates regularly.

Other news:

• We will be adhering to our April vacation schedule, which means that school will not be in session April 10-17. We will have academic support available over the April break and will be making some fun interactive virtual opportunities available for our students. Stay tuned for more information.
• State mastery testing has been waived for the 2019-2020 school year, which means that our juniors will not be taking the School Day SAT and the NGSS test. We know that many students use the no-cost Connecticut SAT for college placement. The CSDE is working closely with the College Board to offer interested grade 11 students the opportunity to take the SAT on a weekend administration at no cost. More details will be shared with schools as soon as they are available, and we will share those details with you
• While we are engaged in Distance Learning, we will continue to provide instruction and make resources available for our students with disabilities. Special Education staff will be calling this week regarding updates in service plans.

We know that this is an especially hard time for our seniors given the uncertainty surrounding the end of the school year. We can definitely say that the  graduation ceremony and prom will take place, although they may not happen on the dates on which they are currently scheduled. Details on how senior defenses and senior projects are being adjusted for distance learning will be shared shortly.

All of our students are feeling the potential loss of cherished year-end traditions and rites of passage. We are evaluating how we can make some of those activities available virtually and which activities can be moved to the fall.

Not one of us expected to be in this place at this moment–this is a very difficult time for our entire school community. We encourage you to read through this CDC guidance on managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis, which contains much helpful advice and information about additional resources. We are also recommending an app called CALM, which has been researched and found to be effective in decreasing stress among college students. The app has different sections such as sleep, anxiety, self-care etc. In each section there are free activities and some that can be purchased. 

Finally, we know that many people currently do not have all the resources that they need for an extended stay at home or may be struggling with other COVID-related non-medical emergencies. The United Way of Greater New Haven has compiled a list of Community Resources that could help families in addressing some of those needs. Please also reach out to our student support staff (contact information to the right) to communicate those needs, and see additional resources below.

Please take good care of yourselves and each other.

Liz Cox, School Director

Food

If you are in need of emergency food while school is not in session, please contact the school office. Common Ground is delivering food to Common Ground families who need it on a weekly basis, in partnership with CT Core, Haven’s Harvest, and community volunteers.

Click here for a list of food assistance resources from the City of New Haven.

New Haven Public Schools has reinstated its Summer Meals program, which allows any students living in New Haven to go to a neighborhood school and pick up meals to go. Click here for a list of sites and times.

Hamden is also providing meals for students residing in Hamden. Information aboud getting meals at a Hamden school can be found here.

Health & Mental Health Supports

Many members of our school community–staff, students and families–are experiencing COVID-19-related stress and anxiety. I shared information about several supports in my last update. Other helpful resources:

• The NAMI Information and Resource Guide, and Mental Health Coping Strategies, published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, utilizes a Q&A format to share information and advice about many COVID-related concerns

• A Guide for Parents and Caregivers  recently released by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) contains guidance to help family members cope with COVID-related stress.

• The COVID-19 MUTUAL AID & ADVOCACY RESOURCES: a resource for people looking out for themselves and their communities through personal preparation, collective care, mutual aid and advocacy. 
• Coronavirus quarantine resources for parents and caregivers: Info for parents/caregivers, ideas for keeping children busy at home

Our school Social Worker, Rachel Haymann, is available by email to respond to questions and concerns. Rachel’s’ email: rachel.haymann@commongroundct.org

Also, the Yale COVID-19 call center at 203-688-1700 is a great resource for COVID-related health questions.

Need Health Insurance? Access Health CT has opened a special enrollment period between March 19 and April 2. Get more information here.

Summer Jobs

One thing students can be doing while away from Common Ground: applying for summer jobs. See this page for more information.