For information about MPB's New Educational Podcast, visit https://education.mpbonline.org/

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For more information about MPB Classroom TV visit https://education.mpbonline.org/

For more information about "Move to Learn visit https://movetolearnms.org/

For information about public education in Mississippi visit https://www.mdek12.org/

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For more information about the programs we featured on todays show visit:

http://msgradelevelreading.com/

http://msgradelevelreading.com/communities/loureads/

https://www.unitedwayvicksburg.org/

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For more information about the MS Community College Board Adult Education programs visit: https://www.mccb.edu/offices/adult-education

For more information about MPB's Workforce Development programs visit: https://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/

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"Don't loose sight of your dream, it's your eyes that don't work" - Mike Duke

Education and Technology Resources for Blind and Low Vision Students and their Families:

Mississippi School for the Blind

http://www.msb.k12.ms.us/

Hadley Institute

https://hadley.edu/

This school offers online and correspondence courses for grade school through college as well as adult enrichment learning

Perkins eLearning

http://perkinselearning.org

This site offers professional development for teachers of the visually impaired and includes other disabilities.

Computers for the Blind

https://www.computersfortheblind.org

This non-profit 501(c)(3) organization offers re-conditioned computers to persons who are blind or visually impaired at a fraction of the cost of the latest models.

Mississippi Library Commission Talking Book Services

http://bphopac.mlc.lib.ms.us/cgi-bin/webopac.cgi/ms1a

This is the Mississippi point of contact for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled from the previous link. It provides audio and Braille books through the mail, or via download to individuals who qualify for the service. (Serves a variety of other impairments as well.)

NVDA Screen Reader software (free, or with donations)

https://www.nvaccess.org/

NV Access is a registered charity and software development company. The are the creators of NVDA, a free, open source, globally accessible screen reader for the blind and vision impaired.

American Foundation for the Blind

http://www.afb.org

This site contains information about various topics related to blindness and vision loss, as well as education of blind or low vision students

American Printing House for the Blind

https://www.aph.org/

This site contains a variety of information, along with products and services.

American Council of the Blind

http://www.acb.org

A consumer organization with lots of relevant information for blind or low vision students and their parents, along with a special interest group for families with visually impaired children.

National Federation of the Blind

http://www.nfb.org

Another consumer organization with lots of relevant information for blind or low vision students and their parents.

Freedom Scientific, a division of the Vispero Group

https://www.freedomscientific.com/

This company manufactures and markets adaptive PC software and other specialized technology products

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Tips for distance learning and virtual classroom etiquette:

• Be on time for classes
• Punctuality is especially important for online classes because we are working in the absence of normal checks to ensure that everyone can be gathered to start classes on time
• Some helpful tips for being on time include using a calendar app of some kind and scheduling reminders 15 min ahead of time or some other increment of time that will best help you. Find a system that works for you that enables you to join the meeting the minute it begins, so you don’t miss out on those crucial first minutes of instruction.
• Wear proper attire
• Learning from the comfort of your home can make it feel desirable to dress down, but you want to make sure that you are looking presentable and professional each day, just like you would at school. While you may not be required to wear a uniform you want to dress in a way that is modest, clean, and avoids any unnecessary distraction. 
• Choose a good location
• The most important thing is to have a clean and non-distracting background. If a student must work in their bedroom, make sure the bed or decorations are not prominent in the background. If possible, set up a desk with materials ready and a neutral background.
• Another factor is the possibility of background noise. If siblings are at all likely to be loud in the room, try to isolate yourself. If your parents have a headset that you can borrow, this will make your situation much more flexible. As much as possible try to make sure nothing from your location becomes a distraction to others in the class.
• Be prepared
• Creating an orderly learning space to do schoolwork will put you ahead of the game. Be sure you have room for your books, computer, pens, paper, and other supplies. 
• Label folders to hold papers and notes for each subject. Go ahead and create electronic folders for each class on your computer and in your email program. If your virtual school provides an online planner, use it to schedule your personal appointments and create your “to do” list, with items ranked in order of urgency.
• Mute yourself
• If for reasons beyond your control noise becomes a problem in what you thought was a quiet space, please click the icon on the bottom left that will mute your audio. Try to do this sooner rather than later, and either ask family members to move or else move yourself.
• Participate fully
• Participating fully may look different depending on what your teacher is expecting of you at any particular moment. At times, your teacher will be leading the class in a discussion and this is when it is most important to speak up and share your thoughts. 
• If your teacher is simply sharing instructions with you, then participating fully means paying close attention to be sure you understand, writing anything down you don’t want to forget, and being ready to ask any questions you have about confusing parts when the teacher is done. Even if it’s just taking notes, make the most of each online meeting by becoming as active a learner as you can be.
• Be respectful
• Don't write anything that sounds angry or sarcastic even as a joke, because without hearing your tone of voice, your peers might not realize you're joking.
• Always remember to say "please" and "thank you" when soliciting help from your classmates.
• Respect the opinion of your classmates. If you feel the need to disagree, do so respectfully and acknowledge the valid points in your classmate's argument. Don't badmouth others or call them stupid. You may disagree with their ideas but don't mock the person.
• Keep up with all assignments
• It can be tempting to put off assignments with multiple days before their due date, however, doing this once can have a spiral effect which can cause you to rush to make up past assignments putting you at risk to get behind.
• Avoid the panic and the feeling of constantly being behind the ball by setting up routines for yourself that ensure you are always on top of your assignments. Adopt a mindset that each day you will put in a solid day’s work on school and learning. Give yourself little breaks and set micro-goals to ensure that you keep up the motivation.
• Set personal goals
• To make great things happen in your life, it helps to set goals for yourself. Think about what you’d like to accomplish, both short and long term. Is there a class you want to ace this semester? Maybe you want to get a certain grade point average or achieve a certain score on the SAT exams. 
• Preparing for college and getting admission into a specific college might also be on your list. Be sure to put your goals in writing and post the list where you’ll see it often.
• Apologize for any breach of etiquette
• As human beings we all make mistakes, and mistakes are even more likely when a new set of experiences and challenges interrupt our normal routine. Online learning is going to involve that sort of interruption, and no one is expected to be perfect. However, if you do break one of these etiquette guidelines—whether it’s not being on time, loud background noise or not being prepared—come right out and apologize sooner rather than later. 
• Apologizing shows respect to your classmates and your teacher and indicates that you are aware of the problem. If you don’t acknowledge it, your teacher may have to come to you to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Make that step unnecessary by calling it out yourself.

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For more information about Children’s Foundation of MS visit www.ChildrensFoundationMS.org

Distance Learning Tips for parents and children:

• Establish routines and expectations
• Develop good habits from the start, create a flexible routine and talk about how it’s working over time
• Help students get up, get dressed and ready to learn at a reasonable time.
• Keep normal bedtime routines, including normal rules for digital devices. Adjust schedules to meet everyone’s needs. 
• Choose a good place to learn
• Set up a physical location that’s dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions and has a good internet connection. 
• Make sure an adult monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital safety
• Stay in touch
• Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through online platforms and virtual learning environments. Make sure everyone knows how to find the help they need to be successful
• Stay in contact with classroom and support teachers, school leaders and counselors but understand it may take a day or two for us to respond. If you have concerns, let someone know.
• Help students ‘own’ their learning
• No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or to be educational and content matter experts. Provide support and encouragement and expect your children to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much
• Establish times for quiet and reflection
• For families with children of different ages, and parents who may also be unexpectedly working from home more often, it’s good to build in some time for peace and quiet.
• Siblings may need to work in different rooms to avoid distraction, negotiate access to devices, priorities for wi-fi bandwidth and schedules throughout the day. 
• Encourage physical activity and exercise
• Living and working at home, we will all need some room to let off steam.
• Moving (independently and together as a family) is vital to health, well-being, and readiness for learning. 
• Manage stress and make the most of an unusual situation
• Children benefit when they get age-appropriate factual information and ongoing reassurance from trusted adults
• Re-frame challenges as opportunities: for spending time together, discovering new ideas and interests, investing energy and attention in activities that often get pushed aside by everyday tasks and responsibilities. 
• Monitor time on-screen and online
• Work together to find ways to prevent ‘down time’ from becoming just more ‘screen time’
• Connect safely with friends, and be kind
• Help your children maintain contact with friends through social media and other online technologies. But monitor your child’s social media use. 
• Remind your child to be polite, respectful and appropriate in their communications, and to follow school guidelines in their interactions with others. 

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For more information about Homeschoolers of Central MS visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/HS.Central.MS/

For more information about the Salvation Army Kroc Center Home School program visit https://krocmscoast.org/homeschool/

Virtual School Learning Assistance Hosting sites:

For MBA virtual learning site visit http://mbahoops.net/ or contact Elisha Lewis at 769-232-2111

For Judah School of Performing Arts virtual learning site visit https://www.judahschool.com/ or contact 769-257-0330

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For more information about public schools in Mississippi visit https://www.mdek12.org/

Micro Teaching Groups

There are lots of parents who are in a situation where they are forced to send their children to school or forced to keep them home. Sometimes these options put parents in a tough situation, especially when they have to work. What was suggested on the show this morning and that perhaps retired teachers or others who are willing to teach small groups within your community can be started. If you are willing to host a micro teaching group in your community/neighborhood, please send your contact information to education@mpbonline.org and we will help get the word out.

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For more information about MPB's Digital Education Network Service visit education.mpbonline.org

Tips For Principals and Superintendents on Leading during the COVID-19 Pandemic provided by Dr. Michael Kozak, professor at Drexel University. 

• Be flexible and adaptive to this new learning environment
• You need to be able to address unplanned circumstances, as well as be planning for change.
• Look out for the physical and mental well-being of students.
• This may mean turning to networks they’ve built within the community. Mental health centers, faith-based organizations, nursing and health centers, social services – administrators can utilize these connections to create a network that parents and students can turn to for help.
• Offer frequent communication
• let people know what is going on
• Be honest and transparent – don’t make up things. If you’re not sure what is going on, you have to let people know.
• Be aware of potential threats
• Some students can become targets for abuse during times of trouble. Teachers and administrators need to be aware of the potential for bullying or even outright violence, and have a plan in place to protect these vulnerable students.
• Don’t operate in a vacuum
• If you’re a principal, you should be communicating with your superintendent during this period. It’s also important to be consistently checking in with teachers to see how they’re doing and let them know about any updates
• Look at current policies to see if any need to be updated to address the current situation, while still keeping the safety of students at the forefront.
• Step back and reflect
• Say to yourself “what have we learned from this, and how can we put things in place to help us, should we come across something like this again?’”

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For more information on Charter Schools in MS visit: https://www.charterschoolboard.ms.gov/

If you're transitioning your child to a new school this fall, it's important to realize that this change isn't going to be a walk in the park, but it won’t be a disaster either. Here are a few tips to help with the transition to a new school:

• Talk It Out
• Ask your child questions about how they feel, what they are most excited about and what they are worried about
• Keep calm 
• Take a deep breath and don’t over-think or question your decision or situation too much
• Use online resources
• Read teacher blog posts, school newsletters and join Facebook groups. If your town has School Choice, try to read up and visit as many schools as possible to get a feel for them
• Be an advocate for your student
• If your child has special needs of any kind, don’t hesitate to connect with teachers or specialists that you think will benefit from learning a bit more about your child before school starts
• If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or needs special services, find out what is available in the school for your family. If you have concerns about the school, talk to other parents to see if they have similar concerns. You may find that you are worried for nothing or that parents are working together with the school to make changes. This could be a great way to get involved
• Keep old back-to-school routines
• Sticking with as many familiar routines or rituals as possible will make those first days back less overwhelming. Play it cool and treat day one like any other first day of school. After everyone is settled in, celebrate the successful transition

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For more information about places we featured on today's show visit:

https://www.mspetrifiedforest.com/index.php

https://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/

Tips of the Week:

Summer break is here and it’s the perfect time for some good old fashioned family bonding. Here’s why you should make QT your top priority.



• It builds self-esteem in children
• It strengthens family bonds
• It develops positive behaviors
• It creates happy memories
• It helps parents and children reconnect

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For more information about the "Parents are Teachers Too initiative visit https://education.mpbonline.org/ 

Tips of the Week

1.      A parent is a child’s first and most important teacher and supporter. Embrace this role.

2.      A family should spend time having fun learning together because it builds the family bond and makes learning easier.

3.      Speak calmly and positively to children; and don’t be afraid to have critical conversations. Your tone is key.

4.      Make sure you develop and maintain an intentional partnership with teachers.

5.      Children mimic their parents. Let them see you reading and read together.

6.      Television is a part of children’s lives. Watch television together as a family and discuss what you watch.

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https://education.mpbonline.org/

https://shedidthatfood.com/

http://edsaid.org/

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Tips of the Week:

• Encourage your child’s interests
• This may be a great time to expose young people to new learning opportunities.
• Try hands-on activities based on your child’s interests, such as growing plants from seeds, learning to bake or interviewing relatives to learn more about the family tree. If your child seems Velcro-ed to their devices, try incorporating technology into rewarding activities.
• Friends or family members could teach younger kids a new skill over Zoom. Older kids could use technology to work for a cause that benefits the community. 
• Put them to work.
• The pandemic means families are dealing with low-grade stress that’s always in the background, o  One way to alleviate that stress is to set a flexible rhythm to the day. Giving kids some predictability by engaging them in household chores and things they can do to be helpful can provide a sense of stability.
• Enjoy downtime together
• This summer will be a time for families to think differently about how we usually teach and learn. Play is kids work, especially for younger kids, so keep that in mind. Just because children aren't doing a worksheet doesn't mean they aren't learning.
• Families feel sort of 'stuck together" but it could be a really valuable season of life to restore relationships. Just because you get older doesn't mean you have to stop playing.

Source: Georgia State University New Hub https://news.gsu.edu/2020/05/26/schools-out-now-what/

For more information about the places we featured on this show, visit the links below:

https://www.walterandersonmuseum.org/

https://mschildrensmuseum.org/

http://www.bgccm.org/

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Tips of the Week for High School Seniors

• Diversify your skills. There are some skill sets that have become more marketable than before because of COVID-19. See which ones you have and fine tune them.
• Make the most of your summer before before college. It's been a stressful and uncertain past few months. So, relax and enjoy the summer, making the necessary preparations but don't get overwhelmed. As long as you are ready with your technology, the colleges and universities are awaiting you with huge welcomes. They are prepared.
• Get involved. Stay involved, with your home community and your new school community. You learn new skills when you volunteer and you build your network.

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Governor Tate Reeves will be hosting a statewide graduation ceremony Saturday May 16th at 10 a.m. live on his Facebook page. Graduating seniors who wish to have their names called during this virtual commencement are asked to submit a form online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS_CEW22JFOOrjIPQBnK7aJouwudzaF6vDUgBrGk6RCvFzHA/viewform  

Tips of the Week for Parents:

• Watch for behavior changes in your child
• Try to start your day earlier than the rest of the family
• Create a "Flow Chart"
• Create a dedicated work space for the kids
• Prioritize daily
• Let things exist in harmony with each other
• Don't be afraid of change

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For more information about the Adopt a Senior Program visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/897555907376149/ 

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Our "Tips of the Week" come from students who participated in Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann's "Healthy at Home Project"

Brittany from Lindsey Middle School in Brookhaven says: Use the three H's to stay healthy during this pandemic

• Stay Happy
• Stay Healthy
• Stay at Home

Drake from Richland Elementary School says:

• Make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Take your medicine when you are sick
• Stay at home

For district updates, guidance and resources for educators and families visit: https://www.mdek12.org/

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Tips of the Week:

*Keep consistent check-in with your child’s school, teachers and therapists about:

• How educational and therapeutic service delivery may change in the coming weeks
• If schools offer distance-learning opportunities to students without disabilities, the same support should be offered to students with disabilities.
• Don’t feel pressured to exactly replicate school and therapy at home. With flexibility, you may identify new ways to learn and grow together that would be more difficult in a typical time.

*Seek help

• Whether your child has a disability or they're feeling extremely stressed, there are disability or condition-specific organizations and support groups that can provide helpful information and social support. 
• Reach out to local organizations to see if they offer virtual support groups or have active email listeners that send out information and resources.

*Encourage children to talk about their feelings .

• Children with disabilities often experience feelings of social isolation from their peers, and social distancing policies related to COVID- 19 may amplify these feelings.
• Give your child opportunities to discuss these feelings and brainstorm ways for your child to interact with others through texting, phone calls, video chatting and other virtual platforms.

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For more information about Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann's "Healthy at Home Project" and PBS KIDS Programming visit education.mpbonline.org

Tips of the Week:

*Balance is Key- Create time/spaces where kids opt out of devices, offer alternative activities like drawing, reading, board games, dancing or playing.

*Be Choosy- Be picky about what your child watches or plays online. Select high-quality, learning-focuses programs that promote learning such as PBS KIDS.

*Do it Together- Co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and how they can apply it to the world around them. Playing and watching together creates more meaning and learning.

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For all of your Covid-19 district updates and for resources for educators and families visit https://www.mdek12.org/

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