Supporting Your Child
This page includes many helpful documents and resources to support your child both academically and emotionally, from experts in the field and our own staff. See our contact sheet for state-mandated compliance positions HERE.
Our School Social Worker put together this list of Resources During COVID.
Supports for Your Child at School Renaissance has mental health counselors on staff to help your child emotionally and behaviorally. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional wellness and would like them to speak to a mental health clinician, please fill out this form.
COVID-19 Resources Now that the city is beginning to relax the protocols around COVID-19 and we are able to move around more freely and get outside, life seems a little more normal. But it’s still important to realize that some fear and anxiety may remain. We need to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their emotions and behavior, and build resilience.
As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline, NYC Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi and the NYC Schools Chancellor, Meisha Porter, are sharing guidance, information, and encouragement on vaccination for our community. Please see this letter.
Speaking to Your Child About Violence Unfortunately, recent events around the country may have left your child feeling anxious about their safety, especially at school. The following site will give you tips on how to speak to your child about this subject.
“Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers”
Know Your Rights The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has developed multilingual fact sheets, videos, and other materials in multiple languages on knowing your rights in an encounter with federal immigration enforcement. They can be found at NYC.gov/KnowYourRights. This page also includes information about ActionNYC, which provides connections to city-funded, free and safe immigration legal help available to all New Yorkers. Immigration status does not matter
- “NYUL-Parents Guide to STEM”
- “Sticks & Stones” from ParentGuideNews
- “School Assignments” from ParentGuideNews
- “Nonfiction Curriculum Enhanced Reading Skills” from NY Times
Please review the below documents that will help you support your child with understanding expectations around school discipline, our commitment to an anti-bullying culture, communication protocols at our school, and our philosophy of student counseling.
Ali Rosow, LCSW * School Social Worker * The Renaissance Charter School
* 718/803-0060 x307
For Parents of Children with Disabilities
If you have children with special needs, these websites will provide you with helpful information on everything from finding health care, to summer camps, to scholarships, information on college planning, and support networks for parents.
- College Scholarships: Find college scholarships for children with documented disabilities
- “Big Apple Oranges”: Resource for NYC special needs children
- Friday’s Kids Friendship Circle: Supportive network of parents of children with special needs
- National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities
- NYC Resources for Children with Special Needs
- New York State Directory for Children with Special Health Care Needs
- Special Needs Mom: Blog for parents to share their experiences
- College Planning for Students with Physical Disabilities
- College Planning for Special Populations; Resources for LBGTQ, Multicultural, Spanish Speakers, Students with Disabilities (Physical, Hearing, Visual, Learning Disabilities).
Family Assistance
Housing Insecurity:
- Rental Assistance: For NYC residents, view information about rental assistance programs.
- Hotlines for Eviction Notices: Call Housing Court Answers, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday: 212-962-4795 or 718-557-1379. Calls are available in Spanish, English and French, and interpreters are used for all other languages through a translation service.
- Call Homebase or 311. Use the Homebase locator to find your local Homebase provider. Ask about Project Parachute for rental assistance, eviction prevention, and financial services while experiencing an immediate housing crisis, regardless of immigration status.
Food Insecurity:
- Starting June 28 and through the summer, all New Yorkers can receive free “Grab & Go” meals across the city. No registration, documentation, or ID is required. Meals locations are open to children, families, and the general public daily, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vegetarian meals are available at all locations, and Kosher and Halal meals are offered at select locations. Locations will be searchable using the online tool, or via the School Food app.
- Because of our summer school programs, Renaissance is not a “grab & go” site this summer. The nearest sites are PS 212; PS 089; PS 280 and PS 149.
- Find a Food Bank near you.
SingleMothersGrants is an online site that helps low income families with finding financial assistance programs. The directory lists assistance programs that help with utility, energy, mortgage, rent and medical bills.