COVID-19 Updates

If you are required to return to work and you employer classifies you as an essential worker please go to the New Jersey State Emergency Child Care website. We can only accept families who have registered. https://www.childcarenj.gov/Child-Care-for-COVID-19/Hudson

Dear AWNWA of Hoboken Families,
Week 1 was Strange, Week 2 was a Whirlwind, Week 3 was becoming Insane, Week 4 officially became the New Normal, Week 5 required Patience, Week 6 was all about Communication, Week 7 was getting Prepared, Week 8 we focused on Appreciation, Week 9 we took time to celebrate Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation, Week 10 we were keeping Healthy and Week 11 let’s celebrate Memorial Day by Reflecting.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on military personnel who have lost their lives serving the United States. We celebrate this sad occasion, by letting those who have passed away know we are thankful. Similar to celebrating Memorial Day let’s pay homage to everyone who lost their lives from COVID-19 and Reflect on what we gained from this tragedy.
1. Family Time has a new meaning – Despite the inconveniences, anxiety and concerns rising from COVID-19, the pandemic provided us with the unique opportunity to spend quality family time together. Usually we have to schedule vacations or take time off work, just to win some valuable time together.
2. Relaxed our Daily Routine – Generally we are running around and our lives are somewhat chaotic and unproductive. COVID-19 has allowed us to designate family time, alone time, work time, chore time, and recreation time. When AWNWA opens in June, I plan to offer flexible scheduling to allow your family the ability to maintain productivity —whether you are working part-time, full-time or telecommuting.
3. Catching Up on Shows & Movies – Finally you have the time to see all of your favorite shows without worrying about missing a basketball, baseball, golf or soccer game.
4. Work on projects you’ve been meaning to get to – I definitely took the time to work at AWNWA to finish projects and implement positive changes to the center, as well as take online courses.
5. Cooking –So many creative meals and opportunities to share at the table as a family.
6. Increase Activity – Our physical, mental, and emotional health are all improved when we move around. Fortunately virtual exercise classes are available everywhere and exercise equipment (i.e., jump ropes, weights, mats) can be ordering through Amazon. No reason to schedule time to go to the gym.
7. Planning & Budgeting –Good time to take advantage of the down time to evaluate your finances and strategize for the future.
8. Virtual Museum Tours –One of the most positive outcome of the pandemic is “Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world.” Museums that would normally require you to travel and pay to experience them are now free to the public in the convenience of your own home. You can find links to these amazing virtual tours here. https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

Family is the heart of A Whole New World and even though COVID-19 is full of uncertainty, do your best to Reflect on the positive aspects and I am looking forward to seeing everyone in June. As we prepare for the state of emergency to be lifted on June 5th in New Jersey, I am in the process of updating the website to provide additional information.

Happy Memorial Day
Reflect and Celebrate
Mr. Bernard

1. Activity Planner
• At the end of May the staff at AWNWA celebrates “May Flowers” and discusses Animals on the Farm.
• Encourage your child to plant seeds and nurture a plant
• To incorporate Farm Animals please check out these virtual zoo tours
o North Carolina Zoo
o Phoenix Zoo --
o Birmingham Zoo

2. Elmo News!
• On May 27th at 7pm Elmo will be hosting his very own talk show called “The Not Too Late Show.” Every episode opens with Elmo asking his parents if he may “be excused to go do Elmo’s talk show.”
• The show focuses on celebrating bedtime routines, and giving routine activities like brushing teeth, choosing a bedtime story, and putting on pajamas a fun twist.
• Previews can be seen on the links below and HBO is offering a discount to new subscribers:
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHLJG_ALP20
o https://www.hbomax.com/not-too-late-show-with-elmo/?utm_id=sa%7c71700000067239947%7c58700005879347886%7cp53845786351&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvtjQrNPK6QIVUMDICh0CdgHbEAAYASAAEgLFyPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

3. Lesson Plan—Incorporate these concepts into your child’s week
• The theme for the week is May Flowers
• Shape is Stripes
• Letter of the week is L
• Number of the week is 6

4. Picture Assignments
• Please send pictures of the activity project for this week

Dear AWNWA of Hoboken Families,
Week 1 was Strange, Week 2 was a Whirlwind, Week 3 was becoming Insane, Week 4 officially became the New Normal, Week 5 required Patience, Week 6 was all about Communication, Week 7 was getting Prepared, Week 8 we focused on Appreciation, Week 9 we took time to celebrate Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation and in Week 10 is keeping Healthy.
As we prepare for the state of emergency to be lifted on June 5th in New Jersey, I continue to pray that everyone is healthy.
I had previously shared that AWNWA received a special license to serve first responders and essential workers. Out of all the daycares operating in Hoboken, only three were granted the special license and I am proud to share with you that AWNWA was the only center that was not a franchise.
To comply with the rules, I have been extremely busy working with contractors to make physical changes to the center, implementing new policies and taking virtual training classes conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although this has been a challenging task, I have the advantage of knowing the rules and putting the policies into practice. This will definitely benefit the families at AWNWA.
On Thursday May 14th, I received a health alert from the CDC on Kawasaki Disease (KD) which remains a rare but serious condition which has recently been linked to COVID-19 in children. Any disease that targets children is not good news, but fortunately the pediatric community is on the lookout and is able to not only identify the disease but treat the disease. The key is for parents and daycare providers to identify the following: fever, rash, swelling of the hands and feet, irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, and irritation and inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat. This is why I am implementing a daily wellness check log that will provide you with your child’s temperature during the day and any noticeable marks. I want to alleviate your stress, by letting you know that my staff will be trained to observe your child and along with your pediatrician, we will all work to keep your child healthy.
Finally, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the overwhelming amount of feedback, videos and words of encouragement I have receive from everyone.

1. Memorial Day is Coming
• This week can be spent on art activities to celebrate Memorial Day. The goal is to let children know that we appreciate everyone, but this day is for the military
• Dress up your child for dramatic play to celebrate Memorial week (red white and blue).
• Good time to discuss water and beach safety, if you plan to go to the beach
• Talk about the colors and shapes in the American flag and what the flag represents

2. Activity Planner
• Make a flag or drawing or any creative project that incorporates Blue, Red, White, Stars and Stripes.
• Continue making cards for the Hoboken Police Department to show our appreciation for service workers.


3. Baking
• Often you do not have everything you need for a baking recipe and items are hard to find during COVID-19. Celebrations In The Kitchen offers a solution by delivering a right out of the box baking and decorating kits. The kits include things that kids like, such as Themed Cookie Decorating, Cupcake Baking from Scratch, Cake Decorating, Classic Cookie Dough, and Rainbow Cookie Dough! All products are nut-free, and allergy-friendly options are available. Kits are designed to provide extraordinary baking fun for kids while being stress-free for parents.
• Hint: I noticed they have a Father’s Day Special…. https://www.celebrationsinthekitchen.com


4. Lesson Plan—Incorporate these concepts into your child’s week
• The theme for the week is Military
• Shape is a Star
• Letter of the week is S
• Number of the week is 4
• Color is Red, White and Blue

5. Health Break for Parents—How Are You Really?
• On Sunday Governor Cuomo stated during his press conference, up to 38-percent of Americans are having serious mental distress.
• He asked a great question….. How Are Your Really?
• Take time for yourself and find helpful tools to deal with anxiety about the future, your children, your parents, your finances, etc.
• Below are two helpful websites which are a nice break from television, the news, and social media.
• https://www.virusanxiety.com
• https://www.headspace.com

6. Picture Assignments
• Please send pictures of the activity project for this week.
• Please continue to send me pictures! I love to receive them and share with the staff.
• Also include pictures of drawings from your child
• Pictures of child working on their time capsule
• If your child was able to watch the Hoboken Police Officers read the stories, please have them draw a picture or make a card. Although we will share the cards when they return, take a picture and I will share will the Police Department. I know that this will make them very happy!
Stay Healthy….Mr. Bernard

Dear AWNWA of Hoboken Families,
Week 1 was Strange, Week 2 was a Whirlwind, Week 3 was becoming Insane, Week 4 officially became the New Normal, Week 5 required Patience, Week 6 was all about Communication, Week 7 was getting Prepared, Week 8 was focusing on Appreciation and Week 9 is time to celebrate Mother’s Day!
It has been over two-months, and it is time to take a moment and celebrate Teacher Appreciation week and Mother’s Day. To help you with this task I have attached a video. If you have any trouble viewing or downloading the video which is 3-minutes, please let me know and I will send it to your cellphone number.
**Special Requests: If anyone is making facemasks or knows someone who is, please let me know.

Mr. Bernard

1. Celebrate
• Enjoy this week and the opening of the parks in Hoboken!
• Support a local business and Order Take-Out
• Shop online for face masks-- Checkout Old Navy and the Disney Store who have washable face masks for children.
• Watch Part 2 of the Disney Family Singalong special on ABC at 7pm tonight (May 10th).

2. Lesson Plan—Incorporate these concepts into your child’s week
• The theme for the week is Family
• Shape is a Diamond
• Letter of the week is C
• Number of the week is 8
• Color is Pink

3. Reading is Fundamental
• As I previously mentioned the Hoboken Police Department are reading children books virtually! What an awesome idea. Thank you Lt. Melissa Gigante!
• Please continue to look at their website. They have 11 episodes of police officers reading children books
o www.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEB&search_query=hoboken+police+department

4. Birthday Celebrations
• We know birthday celebrations are difficult. But please look at what the Hoboken Police Department has done to make your child’s day very special.
o www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru2QTjaXGEI


5. Activity Planner
• In light of all of the work the Hoboken Police Department is doing, please make cards and drawings to show our appreciation for service workers. It will be nice to let them know we appreciation their service.

6. Picture Assignments
• Please send pictures of the activity project for this week. I would like to share the pictures with the Hoboken Police Department next week.
• Additionally, continue to send pictures since Father’s Day is around the corner!

Happy Mother’s Day to Everyone!

Dear AWNWA of Hoboken Families,
Week 1 was Strange, Week 2 was a Whirlwind, Week 3 was becoming Insane, Week 4 officially became the New Normal,Week 5 required Patience, Week 6 was all about Communication, Week 7 was getting Prepared and Week 8 is focusing on Appreciation.
As we celebrate the beginning of May, I want to make sure we take the time to appreciate the essential workers in our lives.
I want to apologize in advance but I am challenging AWNWA families to make a few cards/signs/drawings over the next few days to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, Cinco de Mayo Day on May 5th., National Nurses Day on May 6th and of course MOTHER’S DAY on May 10th.
Would you kindly share pictures of your child holding their different projects or a simple card saying “Thank You” by Friday May 8th. Send as many pictures as you want! My goal is to share the pictures with all of the families for the next newsletter, and most of all with the phenomenal teachers!
In addition I am attaching a few stretching exercises that are important for parents who have turned their homes into their offices. I want you to appreciate your mind and body.
I have received tremendous feedback from last week’s newsletter. Parents are enjoying the COVID-19 time capsule and the virtually book reading by the Hoboken Police Department. Please let me know what items you like or any information you want me to share with the other families.

1. Projects
• At AWNWA each classroom is fully stocked with art and craft items to keep your child engaged. Since you are at home, Michael’s Craft Store has organized a list of 10 essential art supplies that you may have at home or you can order online. They also have a website providing instructions for 100 different crafts your child can make with these ten simple items. Please note that the instructions are for children who are 4-years of age (and up). So please exercise your judgement on which activities to do.
• I hope you are able to develop some creative ideas for the activity planner below.
• www.michaels.com/projects/10-items-for-100-projects/ten4onehundred
• www.michaels.com/static/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-MichaelsUS-Library/default/dwae5b6f93/images/project-landing/100%20Projects%20for%20Kids-US_FINAL.pdf

2. Activity Planner—Make Cards/Drawings/Projects—Try to focus on one project a day
• Teacher Appreciation Week –Have your child draw a picture for their teacher.
• Cinco de Mayo—Draw a picture or dress up in your favorite Cinco de Mayo Outfit
 Hear a book about Cinco De Mayo and Sing “It’s Cinco De May o Today, Clap Your Hands and Shout Ole”
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVB1jWP-9Qs
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=19w04KBhILc
• National Nurses Day—After watching this great video about nurses, please have your child draw a picture of a nurse
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuFcKEwNSqs

3. Mother’s Day
• This year will be the first time in 18-years that I am not celebrating “Muffins with Mom” so I just want to send my love.
• I am counting on every dad, partner and significant other to make sure Mom receives a handmade card for Mother’s Day 2020.

4. Lesson Plan—Incorporate these concepts into your child’s week
• The theme for the week is Appreciation
• Shape is a Heart
• Letter of the week is M
• Number of the week is 2
• Color is Purple

Activity Planner
In light of all of the work the Hoboken Police Department is doing, please make cards and drawings to show our appreciation for service workers. It will be nice to send them our appreciation for their service.



5. Picture Assignments
• I want to let everyone know that I APPRECIATE the pictures.
Have Fun Working on Your Projects
Mr. Bernard

Dear AWNWA of Hoboken Families,

Week 1 was Strange, Week 2 was a Whirlwind, Week 3 was becoming Insane, Week 4 officially became the New Normal, Week 5 required Patience, Week 6 was all about Communication and Week 7 is time to Prepare.
I cannot believe that we have all been home since March 15th! I know it feels like this will never end, but I am confident that we are on the path to reopening.
As we celebrate the end of April, it’s a good time to focus on activities that prepare you and your child for May.

1. Activity--Document this Historical Moment
• I am attaching a COVID-19 time capsule document that summarizes this experience for both you and your child. It is hard to imagine that we will forget this experience, but it is nice to capture it in writing with your child.
• Please share your time capsule with us when you return, so we can know how your child managed
• COVID-19 Time Capsule Link--https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MaM2RBrqyDeyKFCG8impDgfuZ8a2tIZ-/view

2. Carve Out Time for yourself and let others Read to your Child
• Look into opportunities to give yourself a break, as your child listens to a story or hears a familiar voice.
• Members of the Hoboken Police Department are reading children books virtually! What an awesome idea. Thank you Lt. Melissa Gigante!
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZWXlPfdWtE
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=264cYze0KR4&t=15s
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4qDXVTZOZI
• Former first lady Michelle Obama said she was thrilled to share some of her favorite children's books and give kids an opportunity to practice their reading (while giving families a much-needed break). A new story is read every Monday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyhgubvRYF4

• Disney is offering Disney Bedtime Hotline. By dialing 1-877-7-MICKEY-- Children can hear a special goodnight message from one of five different Disney characters.

3. Declutter—I read a few articles on the importance of using the time we have effectively and I thought a great project to get families prepared is to declutter. Here are a few recommendations:
 Designate a spot for incoming papers. Papers often account for a lot of our clutter. This is because we put them in different spots — on the counter, on the table, on our desk, in a drawer, on top of our dresser, in our car. No wonder we can’t find anything!
 Create a starting zone. What you want to do is clear one area. This is your no-clutter zone. It can be a counter, or your kitchen table, or the three-foot perimeter around your couch. Wherever you start, make a rule: nothing can be placed there that’s not actually in use. Everything must be put away
 Pick a shelf. Now that you’ve done a counter, try a shelf. It doesn’t matter what shelf. Could be a shelf in a closet, or on a bookshelf. Don’t tackle the whole bookshelf — just one shelf.
 Pick up 5 things, and find places for them. These should be things that you actually use, but that you just seem to put anywhere, because they don’t have good places.
 Create a “maybe” box. Sometimes when you’re going through a pile of stuff, you know exactly what to keep (the stuff you love and use) and what to trash or donate. But then there’s the stuff you don’t use, but think you might want it or need it someday.
 Clear out your medicine cabinet. If you don’t have one spot for medicines, create one now. Go through everything for the outdated medicines, the stuff you’ll never use again.
 Pull everything out of a drawer. Just take the drawer out and empty it on a table. Then sort the drawer into three piles: 1) stuff that really should go in the drawer; 2) stuff that belongs elsewhere; 3) stuff to get rid of. Clean the drawer out, then put the stuff in the first pile back neatly and orderly.


4. Lesson Plan
• The theme for the week is Rain—I know art supplies may be limited but since the weather is cloudy and rainy, any activity that involves drawing clouds and rain drops is fun https://www.pre-kpages.com/raindrop-suncatchers-fine-motor-art/
• Shape is a Crescent Moon
• Letter of the week is A
• Number of the week is 3
• Color is Blue

5. Picture Assignments
• Please continue to send me pictures! I love to receive them and share with the staff.
• Also include pictures of drawings from your child
• Pictures of child working on their time capsule
• If your child was able to watch the Hoboken Police Officers read the stories, please have them draw a picture or make a card. Although we will share the cards when they return, take a picture and I will share will the Police Department. I know that this will make them very happy!

Have Fun Working on Your Time Capsule and Let’s Start Preparing for May!
Mr. Bernard

Dear AWNWA of Hoboken Families,

Week 1 was Strange, Week 2 was a Whirlwind, Week 3 was becoming Insane, Week 4 officially became the New Normal, Week 5 required Patience and Week 6 is all about Communication
I am in Hoboken and I get to see some of the students and they always say how much they miss school, their teachers and friends. I know it is difficult and I read a few articles on how to support children under the age of 6 during the COVID-19 pandemic and I wanted to share the key points for families to consider when Communicating to their children:
 If you have any anxieties, your child will mimic you. To decrease their fears, please be aware of your conversations and try not to view television news when your child is present.
 Explain the concept of social distancing, the importance of handwashing for 20-seconds, blowing kisses are awesome and sadly the fact that air hugs may be necessary for a short period of time.
 Maintain a daily routine that meets your new schedule and encourage positive thoughts.
 Take time to talk and let your child guide the conversation. You should be honest, but keep everything age appropriate
 Try the mediation activities below which are specifically design for young children
 Overall Communication is required to support children who may go back to or start new habits such as thumb sucking, biting, bedwetting, increasingly clingy, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, fear of the dark, regression in behavior, and withdrawal.