Voyager Academy Student Services News, April 5, 2020

Dear Vikings,

Our team will deliver weekly information and resources in the Voyager Academy Newsletter and on the Voyager Academy website.  

If your child would like to speak directly with a member of the Student Services Team and is not in immediate crisis, please email your student’s grade-level counselor or social worker.  The team will be available during regular work hours. 

If your child needs immediate medical attention and/or is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911, your primary care physician and/or a mental health professional.

Lastly, community resources are being updated weekly and can be accessed using this list.  

With hope and optimism,

The Voyager Student Services Team

Cindy Gittens, K-12 School Social Worker, cgittens@voyageracademy.net

Melissa Meckes, K-3 School Counselor, mmeckes@voyageracademy.net

Tonya Farrish, 4-8 School Counselor, tfarrish@voyageracademy.net

Jill O’Kane, 9-12 School Counselor, jokane@voyageracademy.net

List of Community Resources by Area

https://bit.ly/2IVxdcI

Parent Articles 

Resource	Description
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/	Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Child Mind institute A great article about how to talk to your children about COVID-19.  Outlines some guidelines and includes a video.
https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource	Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource  National Association of School Psychologists
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/10-tips-for-talking-about-covid-19-with-your-kids	10 Tips for Talking About COVID-19 with your Kids PBS News Hour Provides tips for how to talk to your children about COVID-19. Includes a great BrainPOP video for kids.
ADAA Coronavirus Anxiety	Managing COVID-19 Anxiety Anxiety and Depression Association of America Provides helpful expert tips and resources.
https://www.mindheart.co/descargables	COVIBOOK This short book can be used to support and reassure our children, under the age of 7, regarding the COVID-19.  The book has been translated in several languages.

Apps

Resource	Age	Description
https://www.peekapak.com/	PreK-5	Peekapak Social-Emotional learning curriculum uses an online gaming platform. Kids can create their own avatar. They receive points for identifying feelings, showing empathy, and helping others.
https://www.rethinked.com/ -	PreK-12	Rethink Ed Offering free access to their Social-Emotional learning content. Uses video modules.
Insight Timer Master the Basics of Mindfulness for Teens	K-12 Teens	Insight Timer Free app for sleep, anxiety and stress A course in the Insight Timer app to learn the basics of mindfulness to help deal with common tensions of being a teenager, and in the process help to support
Available on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.momentous.breathing	K-12	Breathing Bubbles An app specifically designed to help kids practice releasing worries and focusing on good feelings.
Available on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.color.mandala&hl=en_US	K-12	Mandala Coloring Pages
https://www.mindyeti.com/v2/s/pricing	K-12	Mind Yeti Mind Yeti provides free guided mindfulness sessions.
IOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe-think-do-with-sesame/id721853597 Android https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H56X50O/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tili07-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00H56X50O&linkId=5ac19015fd2a13aa4c345fad3b1a28c5	PreK-K	Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame Intended for parents and caregivers to use with their young children (ages 2-5) to help teach skills such as problem-solving, self-control, planning, and task persistence.
IOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stop-breathe-think-kids-focus-calm-sleep/id1215758068	K-5	Stop, Breathe & Think Kids  Offers children a fun and easy way to identify and process their emotions. From counting breaths to friendly wishes or frog jumps, each activity brings fun rewards to keep them engaged.

Podcasts

Resource	Age	Description
Best for Entire Family
https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0	K-12	But Why:  A Podcast for Curious Kids Kids are always asking seemingly simple questions that have surprisingly complex answers, such as "Why is the sky blue?" and "Who invented words?" This cute biweekly radio show/podcast takes on answering them. Each episode features several kid-submitted questions, usually on a single theme, and with the help of experts, it gives clear, interesting answers.
https://www.brainson.org/pages/smashboombest	6-12	Smash Boom Best This fun and fast-moving spin-off of the popular Brains On! podcast is a family-friendly debate podcast. A kid judge listens to and scores the rousing, fact-based arguments of two contestants. With episodes like "Dragons versus Unicorns" and "Pizza versus Tacos," kids will be hooked, and they won't even notice that they're learning how to defend their ideas along the way.
https://gimletmedia.com/shows/the-two-princes	6-12	The Two Princes This charming fantasy adventure will have listeners of all ages glued to the speakers until the very end. Two young princes seek to save their kingdoms and in the process face villany, dragons, romance, and a magical forest full of danger. Though kissing happens, it is treated with sweetness and humor. A fairy tale for our times, this audio drama is a great introduction to the world of fiction podcasts.
Best for Learning
http://andrewandpolly.com/earsnacks/	PK-5	Ear Snacks The catchy soundtrack is the star in this delightful podcast from children's music duo Andrew & Polly. But this funny program also covers a range of topics by talking to actual kids as well as experts, providing thoughtful fun for young ones and their grown-ups.
https://www.kidnuz.org/	K-12	KidNuz Kids like to be informed and engaged, but talking to kids about the news can be a challenge. This podcast, created by moms who are broadcast journalists, offers young listeners five minutes of kid-friendly news (followed by a quick quiz) each day, five days a week.
http://thepastandthecurious.com/	K-12	The Past and The Curious This amusing podcast features people telling interesting, little-known stories from history with an emphasis on fun and humor. Although it's not specifically a music podcast, each episode contains an often-silly song that's sure to get stuck in your head. Thereb's even a quiz segment, so kids will learn something, too.
http://www.bookclubforkids.org/	6-12	Book Club for Kids Biweekly podcast features middle schoolers talking about a popular middle-grade or YA book as well as sharing their favorite book recommendations. Public radio figure Kitty Felde runs the discussion, and each episode includes a passage of that week's book read by a celebrity guest.
Best for Bedtime
https://bedtime.fm/storytime	PreK-5	Story Time These 10- to 15-minute stories are a perfect way to lull your little one to sleep. The podcast is updated every other week, and each episode contains a kid-friendly story, read by a soothing narrator.
https://www.ahwayisland.com/-	PreK-12	Be Calm on Ahway Island This podcast teaches kid-friendly mindfulness practices like "deep dragon breaths" that can be carried into waking life as well.
http://www.whatifworldpodcast.com/	K-6	What If World This series takes ridiculous "what if" questions submitted by young listeners and turns them into a new story every two weeks.
http://storiespodcast.com/	4-5	Stories Podcast Kid-friendly renditions of classic stories, fairy tales, and original works. These longer stories with a vivid vocabulary are great for bigger kids past the age for picture books but who still love a good bedtime story.
Best for Music Fans
http://noodleloafshow.com/	K-12	Noodle Loaf The segments, games, and songs are so silly and upbeat that the whole family will enjoy participating. Little listeners can even add their voice to the theme song in the podcast's electronically compiled kid's choir!
https://saturdaycerealbowl.podbean.com/	K-12	Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl This two-hour podcast styled like a DJ radio show features new and old songs that kids will love, many by parents' favorite musicians. Selections are generally high-energy rock, folk, or even punk-inspired songs, but listeners will also hear mellower tunes, as well as bilingual (English/Spanish) songs and hip-hop hits for a well-rounded musical experience.
http://sparetherock.com/wordpress/	K-5	Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child Families can enjoy rock and roll without the downsides with this fun radio show/podcast. Each week there's a new playlist combining kids' music from artists such as They Might Be Giants, with kid-appropriate songs from artists that grown-ups will recognize, such as Elvis Costello, The Ramones, and John Legend. It's a perfect compromise for parents tired of cheesy kids' music.

Weekly Wellness Activities

Week of March 23:

K-12 Mindfulness Exercises 

https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/5-fun-mindfulness-activities-children-breathing-exercises

Yoga for elementary      Cosmic Kids Yoga

Yoga for teens               Yoga to Calm Your Nerves: 10 min Teen Yoga Class

Week of March 30:

Random Acts of Kindness

We need to distance ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help each other. During difficult times, we often see the most beautiful acts of kindness. Click below to see a list of activities. 

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

For High School:

Find Calm and Nourish Resilience 30-Day Program

This free, self-paced, online program features today's leading mindfulness teachers, helping you support the habits that foster ease and well-being. Enroll free for access until June 30, 2020—no payment at any time.

Week of April 6:

K-5

Art Techniques for Communicating Feelings & Problem-Solving

https://www.additudemag.com/art-therapy-projects-activities-adhd-children/?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=school_april_2020&utm_content=040120&goal=0_d9446392d6-2db19e48e5-288511153

K-12 & Family Activity 

How to Keep My Battery Charged (AAPC Publishing)

With such uncertainty about the world around us, it is of great importance to create a daily self-care routine.  This routine can also help children with emotional regulation. For this activity, have each family member write down 5 things that makes them feel happy while doing.  Try to do at least 1 or 2 of these things each day and make sure your child sees you doing it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JJ5KWQwk_3ToTSLqT8dnWQUNEEEhl39S/view?usp=sharing