COVID-19 Omicron Update: a Guide for NYC Parents

COVID Omicron Update: a Guide for NYC Parents
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COVID Omicron Update: a Guide for NYC Parents

We are all currently or about to be experiencing deja vu with the Omicron variant of COVID hitting NYC hard. Broadway shows are closing; the Radio City Rockettes have canceled the remainder of the season. And now schools have closed with many more soon temporarily go remote – for in just one week, this variant is proving to be highly contagious, and along with the Delta Variant, it is making its mark. 

The good news? The CDC has stated, “we have the tools to fight omicron.”

Some parents have learned from the height of the pandemic that we will all be ok even amidst the craziness of being under one roof. And (hopefully) some, if not most of us, are better off than we were in March 2020. We either have become great at juggling remote life and needy kids while we simultaneously get our work done or just have learned to go with it. We don’t have to invent the wheel here. As the mom of two boys, Marina Trejo, recently shared, “I am making sure their teeth are brushed and that they are fed, and by fed, I mean goldfish.” Yup, we all need a little humor these days for we’re going into year two with this pandemic. 

The rest of the stuff, like updates and news? We’ve got you covered with helpful links and twitters accounts you should follow. 

Daily COVID Case Map

This map can be a bit overwhelming to view, but it will give you an idea of where cases are the highest regarding NYC public schools. Of course, the map changes every day so keep this in mind when viewing it.

COVID-19 Report Card

If looking to dig a bit deeper and would like to know what the cases look like by region, the COVID report card breaks it down and seems to be updated pretty frequently.

How it works via the NYC Department of Education:

  • A grey dot indicates a member of the school community has tested positive but the school community was not exposed.
  • blue dot indicates one or more classrooms closed in a school.
  • An orange dot indicates one or more classrooms are partially quarantined in a school.
  • purple dot indicates a school has one or more non-classroom quarantines.
  • yellow dot indicates a school has multiple cases under investigation.
  • red dot indicates a school that has transitioned to fully remote for 10 days.

COVID-19 Kits you can buy

We often do at-home tests here at New York Family and found these two tests to be efficient and affordable compared to the many tests hitting the market. The iHealth kit can be purchased via Amazon; they do not come right away but are good to have at home when you are concerned you may have COVID and want to be sure before you head over to one of the long lines that are throughout the city. The BinaxNOW is also easy to use and one of the most popular testing kits but currently cannot be found online. This means you will have to pop over to CVS or your local pharmacy and see if they have any in stock.

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, 2 Tests per Pack

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test

 

Free COVID-19 kits to help with the Omicron outbreak are coming soon

It has been a relief for New Yorkers to have COVID testing sites available throughout the city. Still, testing at home is convenient, especially for parents with young kids or kids with special needs where long lines are hard to stand in for hours. NYC is working on giving away free COVID test kits and KN95 masks. The when and how is still in the works; stay tuned with NYC 311 for more information.

Twitters to follow :

@DOEChancellor

@NYCMayorsOffice

@ericadamsfornyc

@GovKathyHochul

Psst… don’t forget to bookmark our School Update for 2021- 2022, where all major school updates are posted.

Relevant Directory Listings

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Hampton Racquet

<p>Hampton Racquet is a family-owned boutique country club situated in the picturesque setting of East Hampton, NY. This summer, Hampton Racquet is partnering with Premier Tennis to bring elevated youth tennis camps to the Hamptons. Designed for ages 4+, with three programs available, these camps embody the Premier Tennis philosophy of “train like a pro to play like a pro.” At Premier Tennis, our camps provide a foundation of the game for the youngest of players, while offering top tier training for those looking to reach their full potential.</p> <p>At Hampton Racquet, Our offerings extend beyond just tennis. From boutique fitness classes, to pickleball, to family nights at our club restaurant, we’re sure that the whole family will enjoy spending time at Hampton Racquet this summer.</p> <p> </p>

KTBYTE

<div><strong>Computer Science Coding Classes for Children </strong></div> <div> </div> <p>Ages 8 - 18</p> <p>Enroll today for a FREE Trial and our Summer and School Year Course Offerings!</p> <p>Differentiated and Individualized Learning with our Caring and Knowledgeable Staff!</p> <p>Offer YOUR child the competitive advantage of learning a new language and also using STEM to learn and have fun! </p> <p> </p> <div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987ktbyte-vision"> <p><strong>The KTBYTE vision</strong></p> <p>At KTBYTE, our vision is to make a high-quality Computer Science (CS) education accessible to students globally while also making CS exciting and engaging for them!</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987diffsimilar"> <p><strong>The KTBYTE Difference</strong></p> <p>KTBYTE offers a progressive Computer Science curriculum for students ages 8-18 years old. Classes range from introductory JavaBlocks™ programming to college-level courses. KTBYTE offers classes that stand out from the standard Core Curriculum for high-school students, with unique programs such as USACO prep courses, Generative Art and Design courses, and even Machine Learning courses. Our instructors are dedicated, nurturing and passionate about what they do and committed to ensuring that KTBYTE students are exposed to an unparalleled, dynamic, educational and engaging CS learning experience! Register today for a <a href="https://www.ktbyte.com/freetrial" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ktbyte.com/freetrial&source=gmail&ust=1622725037124000&usg=AFQjCNED2R673ZzKakJOtaGSycFpwW73uw">Free Trial</a> and experience the KTBYTE Difference!</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987aluminiaccomp"> <p><strong>KTBYTE Alumni Accomplishments</strong></p> <p>KTBYTE alums consistently outperform their peers in terms of their academic accomplishments. KTBYTE students ace their AP CS courses and exams and are also incredibly successful through the competitive college admissions process. KTBYTE students have been accepted to numerous Ivy League and competitive colleges and universities including but not limited to Brown, Carnegie Mellon, UChicago, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, Tufts, Yale, and many more!</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987shorttermbenef"> <p><strong>What Makes the KTBYTE Course Experience Unique?</strong></p> <p>At KTBYTE, all of our instructors are highly qualified and experienced, educational professionals who differentiate learning and offer KTBYTE students a multitude of opportunities for individualized instruction by spending hours each week preparing for each specialty class that they teach in order to offer a dynamic, engaging and fun educational course interaction for every KTBYTE student. Through our Virtual Machines, our instructors are able to see exactly what is on your child’s screen throughout every class, and as such are easily able to assist your child through any obstacle that may arise. At KTBYTE, our nurturing, knowledgeable and caring teaching staff anticipate and identify when a student may be struggling with a problem even before the student decides to ask a question about it.</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987whoareinstructors"> <p><strong>What Sets the KTBYTE Teaching Team Apart?</strong></p> <p>KTBYTE instructors are college and post-college working professionals with extensive backgrounds in computer science. At the highest level, our artificial intelligence classes are taught by a graduate sutdent in AI. Each of our teaching professionals is passionate about igniting a love for learning in your child by presenting Computer Science concepts in practical ways which offer the student the opportunity to see Computer Science at work in recognizable applications from daily life. Every class, regardless of level will be individualized and differentiated to ensure your child’s success!</p> </div> </div>

Launch Math+Science Camp

<h1>Launch Math + Science Centers</h1> <p>For more than 15 years, Launch Math + Science Centers have provided toddlers to tweens with inspiring math instruction and STEM-based camps and classes. Launch offers a true educational experience for students with small group sizes and big opportunities for learning. For Summer 2024, Launch Math + Science Centers offers exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to 7th grade (5-12 years old). With a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio, children at Launch’s exciting specialty summer programs explore the adventures of archaeology, discover the details of robotics, reveal the wonders of chemical reactions – and that’s just the beginning. Each week is jam-packed with hands-on STEM projects and fun camp activities.</p> <h2>The Camp Day</h2> <p>Each camp day kicks-off at 9:00 am and consists of designated educational segments that are designed to inspire.</p> <p>-STEM Projects (core lessons and builds tied to the theme of the week)</p> <p>-STEM Discoveries (challenge-based learning through problem-solving activities)</p> <p>-Active Adventures (a blend of tech and camp games in Central Park)</p> <p>-Math Mania! (engaging mathematics-based projects and activities)</p> <p>Standard dismissal is at 3:30 pm, with the option to extend to 5:00 pm.</p> <h2>Weekly Camp Themes</h2> <p><strong>Juniors (K+1st Grade)</strong></p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Marine Biologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… An Archaeologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Sports Doctor!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Techie!</p> <p><strong>Kids (2nd-4th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Animation</p> <p>Remarkable Robots + Marvelous Machines</p> <p>Potent Potions + Fizzing Formulas</p> <p>Rocket Science: Destination Mars</p> <p><strong>Tweens (5th-7th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Game Development</p> <p>Rockin' + Robotics</p> <p>Chaotic Chemical Reactions</p> <p>Architecture + Engineering</p> <h2>Register Early, Save Big!</h2> <p>Huge discounts for Early Bird enrollments. Register by March 31st and receive $200 off EVERY camp after the first.</p> <p>For well over a decade, Launch has delivered engaging STEM programs for children throughout New York City. Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in mind: Inspire children to love and learn math and science!</p>