Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness, Family Resources, and FAQs
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peck established two task forces that worked diligently to develop a number of academic and community strategies—including strategies for re-entry in the fall of 2020—that prioritize the health and safety of our community. These task forces merged for the duration of the 2020-21 school year to monitor and fine-tune Peck's safety strategies.
Peck relays on its strong partnership with parents that we pride ourselves on at The Peck School. We will provide support and guidance to assist parents in helping keep our community safe. In return, we ask that parents are diligent and proactive at home by being mindful of your COVID-19 exposure, monitoring your child and family for symptoms, and maintaining open and honest communication with the school based on the parameters we establish. We will continue to closely monitor the latest information surrounding COVID-19 and utilize this page as a resource for parents.
Updates and Announcements
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Please review letters from the Head of School for important information regarding Peck's transition to Distance Learning for the coming two weeks:
Please review letters from the Head of School for important information regarding Peck's transition to Distance Learning for the coming two weeks:
- Distance Learning schedules for Lower School Homerooms and Upper School Grades are linked below.
- Teachers will post assignments by 7:30 a.m. each morning on SeeSaw and Google Classroom.
- We will communicate details regarding an additional round of saliva PCR testing for all faculty, staff, and students in the coming days.
Distance Learning Schedules
Parent Resources
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Remote Learning Guidelines
Please review student guidelines for Distance Learning:
Grades K-2 (SeeSaw)
Grades 3-8 (Google Classroom) -
Family Handbook
2020-2021 Peck Family Handbook
Please note that the COVID-19 Parent Handbook supercedes this document during the global health crisis. -
COVID-19 Parent Handbook
2020-2021 COVID-19 Parent Handbook
Please note that this appendix to the 20-21 Family Handbook supercedes that document during the global health crisis. This is a working document which will be updated as the year progresses. -
Parents Association
Virginia Cepeda, PA President: svcepeda@comcast.net -
Student Responsible Use Policy
View our student Responsible Use Policy (RUP) pertaining to technology use. This applies both at Peck and to distance learning.
Please review and remind students that video manipulation, inappropriate recording, and sharing of Zoom links and other Peck content are strictly prohibited.
Who To Contact For:
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Distance Learning and Academics
If you have a question about distance learning, course content, or your child's individual academic needs, please contact your division head.
Grades K-4: Nina Sharma, nsharma@peckschool.org
Grades 5-8: Sadie Albertyn, salbertyn@peckschool.org
If your child will be absent on a distance learning day, please contact your division office by 9 a.m. that day.
Grades K-4: Kimberly Apgar, kapgar@peckschool.org
Grades 5-8: Lorraine Callaghan, lcallaghan@peckschool.org
If you have grade-level questions (LS) or specific-subject questions or needs, please contact the following:
Grades K-4: Homeroom Teachers
Grades 5-8: Department Chair
Dept. Chairs:
Art: Karen Dispenziere, kdispenziere@peckschool.org
English: Sarah Chan, schan@peckschool.org
History: Sue Longenecker, slongenecker@peckschool.org
Math: Jenny Hogan, jhogan@peckschool.org
Science: Tim Loveday, tloveday@peckschool.org -
Technology / Remote Access / Google Classroom / SeeSaw
If you have questions about using SeeSaw (Gr. K-2) or Google Classroom (Gr. 3-4), please contact Jen Garvey at jgarvey@peckschool.org.
If you have questions about home technology, remote access for distance learning materials, or accessing Google Classroom for Grades 5-8, please contact the Tech Team.
Grades K-8, tech@peckschool.org -
Health & Wellness Concerns
If you would like to talk with someone about health and wellness issues pertaining to your child or family, please feel free reach out to our nurse or school psychologists for help.
School Nurse: Colleen Loughman, cloughman@peckschool.org
School Psychologist: Ashley Tabor, atabor@peckschool.org -
Secondary School Guidance (7th & 8th Parents)
If you have questions about secondary school placement, please contact our Director of Secondary School, Christine Williams, at cwilliams@peckschool.org. -
Physical Activity / Sports
If you would like suggestions from Athletics Director Dave Carlo about keeping kids active, or questions about our sports seaons, please email him at dcarlo@peckschool.org -
Communications / Website Support
If you have questions or comments about our daily emails (Beaconettes sent M, T, Th, F) or weekly e-newsletter (Beacons sent W), please reach out to our Director of Strategic Communications, Heather Burchfield, at hburchfield@peckschool.org
If you need help navigating the parent portal or have questions about the website, contact Associate Director of Strategic Communications Jen Cleary at jcleary@peckschool.org -
Activities & Enrichment Support
If you would like to share a craft or request an activity, please reach out to our AfterSchool & Auxiliary Programs Coordinator Darlene White at dwhite@peckschool.org -
General Questions
If you have general questions or aren't sure which is the appropriate person to contact, please use our general email inbox:
Health and Wellness Resources
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How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
Witnessing a parent in a state of anxiety can be unsettling for children. This childmind.org article discusses ways to handle anxiety for yourself first, then children.
Key Take-Aways:- Children take cues from you
- Learn healthy stress management techniques
- Model stress tolerance and create strategies
- Project a calm, neutral demeanor
- Explain your anxiety
- Know when to disengage
- Find a support system
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NASP Parent Guide: Talking to Children about COVID-19
Talking to Children about COVID-19: A Parent Resource
This article from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is a comprehensive guide for parents about talking to children about the coronavirus.
Key Take-Aways:- Remain calm and available
- Avoid excessive blaming
- Monitor television viewing and social media
- Maintain a normal routine as possible
- Discuss new school circumstances
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Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
Often kids worry more when they are kept in the dark. This childmind.org article discusses tips and topics to guide discussions with children about COVID-19.
Key Take-Aways:- Talk to children in a developmentally appropriate way
- Deal with your own fears and anxiety
- Take your cues from your children
- Focus on what you (and others) are doing to keep them safe
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What to Do (And Not Do) When Children Are Anxious
What to Do (And Not Do) When Children Are Anxious.
This childmind.org article provides 10 pointers for how to respect feelings without empowering fears.
Need ideas? Fun & Educational Resources
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Music Enrichment
Mrs. Wichman has compiled a list of Music Education games and websites which provide enriching and fun musical activities for our Peck Students.
Chrome Music Lab
Chrome Music Lab makes learning music fun and accessible through hands-on experiments.
PBS Kids
Pinka-Perfect Band (Pinkalicious)
Monster Music (Sesame Street)
Music Shop (Daniel Tiger)
Peg + Cat Music Maker
Make The Band (Martha Speaks)
Disney's Little Einsteins
Disney's Little Einsteins Games
Includes several musical games with the Little Einsteins characters.
NY Philharmonic Kids
Instrument Frenzy
Instrument Lab
Instrument Storage Room
Incredibox
The Incredibox App is part game, part tool, that lets you create your own mixes and share with the world.
Classics for Kids
Classics for Kids includes kid-friendly music, games, and activities promoting classical music.
Lincoln Center at Home
Lincoln Center at Home holds pop-up classroom broadcasts on FB Live at 10 a.m. daily.
Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers
Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers is an interactive world map for grades K-2 that connects students to global music.
Classical MPR
From Minnesota Public Radio, a list of Classical Kids Music Lessons. -
Online Read-Alouds / Draw-Alongs
Storyline Online:
This SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems: Weekdays 1 p.m. EST
Draw with Kennedy Center Artist-in-Residence Mo Willems during a virtual studio visit! Videos also posted to his website.
Stay at Home Story Time with Oliver Jeffers: Weekdays 2 p.m. EST on Instagram Live
Oliver Jeffers will read his books via his Instagram Live as well as post recordings to his website.
The Big List of Children's Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities
This WeAreTeachers collection includes links to over 50 authors doing online read-alouds and activities (both live and recorded) via social media and author websites. -
Scholastic Learn at Home (Gr. PreK-9+)
The site includes learning journeys across four different grade spans—PreK/K, Grades 1–2, Grades 3–5, and Grades 6–9+. Learning experiences cover ELA, STEM, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning.The Scholastic Learn at Home website does not require a username or password, and is open freely to all. The learning journeys are accessible on any device. They are designed to limit the need for printing, and allow students to learn independently or with their families. -
Capstone Interactive eBooks (All Grades)
- Username: continue
- Password: reading
Capstone Interactive eBooks are interactive, browser-based, digital books that feature easy navigation tools and enhanced content such as read-to-me audio that supports readers of all types and ages. -
PebbleGo (Gr. K-3)
- Username: engaged
- Password: learning
PebbleGo is a curricular content hub specifically designed for K-3 students. Packed with informational articles, ready-made activities, and literacy support for students of all abilities, it boosts engagement and fosters independent learning in core subject areas. -
ABCMouse (Gr. Prek-2)
Redeem Code: SCHOOL5754
Early Learning Academy is the leading and most comprehensive digital early learning resource for students in preschool through 2nd grade. ABCmouse offers a research-validated curriculum with more than 10,000 individual Learning Activities and more than 850 complete lessons along our Step-by-Step Learning Path. ABCmouse includes a significant amount of Spanish language content. -
Adventure Academy (Gr. 3-8)
Redeem Code: SCHOOL5754
Adventure Academy is a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) for students in 3rd through 8th grade. Adventure Academy brings learning to life as it builds critical knowledge of essential curriculum topics with thousands of learning activities in language arts, math, science, and social studies in a safe and engaging virtual world. -
Mystery Science (Gr. K-5)
Mystery Science offers digital video mini-lessons for science subjects K-5. No need for username or password. -
Pinna (Ages 3-12)
Pinna is an online streaming service customized for kids ages 3-12. They offer audiobooks, podcasts, and music. They’re offering 60 days free on their site. -
Reading IQ (Gr. PreK-6)
Redeem Code: SCHOOL5754
ReadingIQ is an advanced digital library and literacy platform for children through 6th grade that provides access to thousands of high-quality books, all curated by experts to advance literacy. ReadingIQ includes many books in Spanish, and an offline mode that does not require continuous Internet connectivity. -
Educational TV Shows/Movies
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Educational Activities to do at Home
Exploring by The Seat of Your Pants
This organization offers live streaming events (via YouTube stream) with leading scientists, explorers, adventurers, and conservationists around the world. Events are also recorded.
A Teacher's List of Things to Do at Home
This WeAreTeachers list includes 40 interesting screen-free ideas to challenge students at home.
20 Educational Games and Activities Kids Can do With Alexa
A list from WeAreTeachers.
Disney's "Imagineering in a Box" Storytelling Course
This storytelling course is offered through Kahn Academy.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a library of over 60,000 free eBooks. -
Virtual Museums and Zoo Tours
Ultimate Guide to Virtual Museums
This Museum Computer Network guide is a comprehensive list of museums (Art and Culture, History, Natural Science) around the world that offer virtual tours, online collections, and e-learning. It also includes virtual tours offered from some U.S. National Parks, and a list of child-friendly museum activities.
Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari: Tours via Facebook 3 p.m. EST Daily
Safaris are recorded and posted to the zoo's YouTube channel.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams
Featuring several avian and aquatic animal live cams running 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST
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THE PECK SCHOOL
247 South Street | Morristown, NJ973-539-8660
Northern New Jersey's timeless and transformative co-ed independent elementary and middle school education for grades K-8.
The Peck School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or family composition in the administrative policies or operation of the school.