Coronavirus Update

KidsTek is currently following the extended spring break schedules of our host schools in the Denver and Aurora districts. The governor has additionally ordered school buildings closed until at least April 20th. As the schools transition off of breaks, they will move to online classes until a time that buildings can be safely re-opened. KidsTek will not be able to offer our after school classes until school buildings re-open. However, we will be working with our host high schools to offer our computer elective classes online in the interim. More details to come.

In the mean time, here is a list of resources for students and their families during this challenging time.

School District Response Plans:

Many school districts are providing free meals for the community in addition to reliable guidance on appropriate responses to COVID-19. Click your local school district’s name for more information.

Denver Public Schools

Aurora Public Schools

Jefferson County Public Schools

Adams 12 Star School District

Adams 14

If you have extra food and/or supplies available, please help your community by donating it to those in need. Call your local food bank or visit the Denver Public Schools Foundation Food Security Fund website.

Activities and Education:

Comcast is currently providing free Internet Essentials service for those who need it. Click here to apply.

Scholastic is providing lesson plans and materials for free on their website here.

Denver Public Schools has an online library available here.

Denver Public Library has a 24/7 Storytime Phone Line. More information available here.

NPR has a comic for kids here to help them understand what’s happening.

Now more than ever, it is important to be responsible digital citizens and ensure that we are verifying all information with trustworthy sources and not spreading unsubstantiated rumors. In times of crisis, misinformation flourishes. Talk to your family about how to make sure that the information you’re seeing is trustworthy. Ask yourself the following questions when you encounter new information:

1. Does it sound real?
   1. Sometimes, you may read something that sounds a little strange. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s false, but if it sounds strange, be a little extra suspicious.

• Can you find the same information elsewhere by using a search engine?
  • If you put the new information, or key words from the new information, into Google or another search engine, can you find the same thing anywhere else?

• Is it from a credible source?
  • Try to get your information only from reliable sources. For example, websites with .gov domains such as cdc.gov. Other reliable sources include well-known national or international news sources such as the Washington Post, the New York Times, the LA Times, NPR, Reuters, the AP, and other similar news sources.
  • Social media is rarely a reliable source. If you see something on social media, don’t believe it until you can verify it from a reliable source.

Here are some of the best sources for reliable information about COVID-19 and community response:

Centers for Disease Control

World Health Organization

Colorado Department of Public Health