PRINT ARTICLE

Print    Close This Window
Update 3/16/20: COVID-19 Update and Educational, Social & Mental Health Resources
For the latest information, updates, and resources, please visit the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Page on our website.  
 
 

Dear Keystone Oaks Families, 

On behalf of the entire Keystone Oaks School District and the Board of School Directors, I want to first thank you for your patience, understanding, and support over the past weeks as we work through this unprecedented public health crisis and do our best to make decisions to use the most current information we have available to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, the community and the region. I would like to reiterate the importance of following the recommended social distancing guidelines set forth by the Allegheny County Health Department and the Center for Disease Control. While it may be tempting to arrange playdates or outings with neighbors or friends, I strongly discourage you from doing so in order to help limit the spread of COVID-19. 

As you are well aware, PA Governor Tom Wolf announced on Friday, March 13 that all K-12 schools in the Commonwealth will be closed through Friday, March 27. As we continue to receive information, we will be sure to pass it along to you.

We know and understand that closing schools has a tremendous impact on students and families. Keystone Oaks’ Administrative Team and teaching staff have put together some educational, social, and mental health resources for families to utilize during this time. Additionally, please be sure to check the District’s Facebook page for additional resources and videos from our team. 

Please find suggested activities for each elementary grade level on our website. The links are about half way down the page. Please note that any educational activities that are posted are optional activities for at-home reinforcement. Completed activities will not be collected or graded. 

Also, do not forget that our free lunch program begins tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17. A free bagged lunch will be available at 7 sites each weekday. If you are able to drive to the site, we can hand you your lunch in your vehicle. If you walk to the site, we ask that you “grab and go” and not congregate. Complete details are available on our website

Listed below are additional educational, social and mental health resources that you may find helpful during this time. 

Educational Resources

Educational Resources - Middle School Students

Mental Health & Social Resources 

Allegheny County has a number of resources available for Individuals who may be experiencing fear, anxiety or stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals are encouraged to speak with someone to assist in emotional support: 

Mental Health Crisis Services

Peer Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN)
10 AM to Midnight
1-866-661-WARM (9726)

resolve Crisis Services
24 hours/7 days a week
1-888-796-8226

Ambulance/Police/Fire Department: Call 911

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-273-8255

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR): 81 South 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA;
412- 431-5665 (24 hours a day)

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to talk to a poison expert. Also online contact: http://www.poison.org/actfast/1800.asp

Additional information and resources on mental health care can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. The agency’s Disaster Distress Hotline is 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990.


Legal Aid:

Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA) www.nlsa.us/

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network http://www.palegalaid.net/ , 1-717- 236-9486;
1-800-322-7572

Legal Services in Pennsylvania:
http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/foradults/legalservicesinpennsylvania/index.htm; 1-800-692-7462.


Reporting Abuse/Neglect:

Child - 1-800-932-0313
Disabled Adult - 1-800-490-8505
Elder - 1-800-490-8505

Kid’s Voice: www.Kidsvoice.org (abused, neglected, and at-risk children throughout Allegheny County)

**Veterans services including legal issues see below

Shelters/Emergency Housing/Transitional Housing:

=         Bethlehem Haven, 905 Watson St., Pittsburgh, PA; 1-412-391-1348 (Single Women)

=         Family Links, 1601 5th Ave., Pittsburgh, PA : 1-412-471-6160 (Males & Females 18-21 years old)

=         Family Services of Western PA: 6401 Penn Ave # 2, Pittsburgh, PA; 412-661-1681; www.fswp.org (crisis intervention, individual and family counseling and many other services)

=         Goodwill of Southwestern PA, 2619 Sarah St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203; 1-412-481-9005

=         (HEART House-Transitional and Vocational housing, support services, job placement/resettlement assistance, and follow-up)

=         Light of Life Ministries, 10 East North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA; 1-412-258-6100 ext. 4127 (Homeless Men)

=         Naomi's Place Transitional Housing Program, 601 North Beatty Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206; 1-412-361-3888 (Dual Diagnosis Women and their Children)

=         Salvation Army Family Crisis Center, 424 Third Ave., Pittsburgh, PA; 1-412-394-4817 (Single Women, Women and Men with Children, Youths 18-21 yrs.)

=         Homeless Assistance Program: 412-621-6513

For Assistance with Housing Issues:

Pittsburgh Fair Housing
412-391-2535
www.pittsburghfairhousing.org

Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA)
www.nlsa.us/

Care for Veterans:

VA PITTSBURGH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
University Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15240
412-688-6000
1-866-4VA-PITT (1-866-482-7488)
Website: http://www.pittsburgh.va.gov

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-273-8255

Veterans Legal Services: http://www.acba.org/yld-mvp/Medical-Care-Veterans.

Reporting Abuse/Neglect:

Disabled Adult 1-800-490-8505
Elder 1-800-490-8505

See above also for ambulance, additional crisis line for Allegheny County, poison control,

Food:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 1-800-692-7462

Obtaining assistance for medical, food, cash assistance, etc.: www.dhs.state.pa.us

Hospitals:

=         Allegheny Health Network, Forbes Regional Hospital, 2580 Haymaker Rd., Monroeville, PA, 15146; 412-372-2004

=         Allegheny Health Network, Jefferson Regional Hospital, 565 Coal Valley Rd., Jefferson Hills, PA 15025; 412-469-5000

=         Allegheny Health Network, Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH), 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, PA 15065; 724-224-5100, Ext. 3355

=         Allegheny Health Network: https://www.ahn.org/locations

=         UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic (WPIC), 3811 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213; 1-412-624-2100

=         UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital, 815 Freeport Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15215; 1-412- 784-4000

=         Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, One Children’s Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15224; 1-412-692-5325

Again, we thank you for your continued partnership in keeping everyone healthy and safe during this national crisis. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or to your building principal. 

Sincerely, 

William P. Stropkaj, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Keystone Oaks School District