School Closure Resources

Sterling Montessori is CLOSED until May 15 or later

This special page will remain up until we reopen. Click HERE for our normal homepage

Below are links to some great informational, community, academic, and social/emotional resources for students & their families. This page will be updated as new information & resources become available. Many websites are creating free programs during school closures, so check back often as more continue to become available.
For your convenience, we have organized the links into categories under each heading for easy navigation. Just click on any title to view the resources for that category.

COVID-19 Resources

Community Support Resources

Community resources you may need while schools are closed

Community of Hope Ministries – Food Bank (Garner)

Crosspointe/YMCA – Cary, NC

Durham County Food Pantry

Eggs Up Grill (Holly Springs)

Feeding kids for free daily 11am-1pm – No purchase necessary

Holly Springs Food Cupboard

Urban Ministries of Durham

Western Wake Crisis Ministry

WWCM Food Pickups:

  • First United Methodist Church, Cary – Lunches 12:15-1:15pm M-F
  • Chatham Forest Apartments, Cary- Dinners 6:30-7:30pm Tues. and Thurs.
  • Apex First Baptist Church, Apex – Dinners 6:30-7:30pm Mon. and Wed.
  • Arbors of Cary , Cary – Dinners 6:00 – 7:00pm Mondays through Thursdays

Educational Resources

Middle School

Sample Schedule for Middle School Students

We recommend creating a plan with your teen’s input. Whenever possible, include them in the decision-making processes. Their plan can include the following: 

  • Establishing a quiet workspace
  • Making a schedule that works for your family
  • Taking on a personal challenge
    • How far can you ride your bike without stopping? 
    • Can you build a fort that holds your weight? 
    • Can you learn a new skill? 
    • Can you make a new meal with the ingredients you have in the house? 
    • Can you write an original song/poem/story/play? 
  • FaceTime or call an extended family member or friend
  • Start a new hobby 
  • Take a virtual tour  
  • Spring cleaning of room and clothes
  • Listen to an audiobook or podcast 
  • Completing a service project from home

Resources for MS Students

Albert – An interactive learning companion for core Middle School subjects

ChemMatters Online – A magazine that helps students find connections between chemistry and the world around them

DeltaMath – Math practice problems, extensive and well-organized

Persuasive Writing Contest – Why Sports Matter (Grades 4–7), DEADLINE: April 24, 2020 added 3/26/20

Ted-Ed@Home Daily Newsletter – High-quality, interactive, video-based lessons on a daily basis added 3/24/20

Virtual Field Trips – From Discovery Education added 3/24/20

WCPSS Middle School Math Courses added 3/30/20

WCPSS High School Math 1 added 3/30/20

YMCA 360 – On-demand videos of your favorite Y classes for all ages added 3/24/20

Elementary

Sample Schedule for Elementary School Students

Adventure Academy – Learning games & videos for reading, math, science, and more

Best Documentaries on Netflix – Age-appropriate documentaries added 3/24/20

BrainPOP – Learning games, animated movies, and activities

Coding – Programming and computer science at code.org added 3/24/20

Freerice – Free games in several educational categories, ad revenue supports the World Food Programme added 3/24/20

Global Citizenship – Student resources around sustainable development from the United Nations added 3/24/20

Kitchen Skills – By age group added 3/24/20

Live Online Story Times – From award-winning South African author Andrew Newman added 3/24/20

Mystery Doug – Short educational videos for K-5

Mystery Science – K-5 science lessons

Montessori Tools – Interactive Montessori materials added 3/24/20

NC Symphony Online Concerts – Hear the Symphony wherever they are—and learn What Makes Music, Music! Access with password 1932. added 3/30/20

OT Mom Learning Activities – Simple sensory integration activities and exercises to complement occupational therapy

PenPal Schools –  Collaborative learning community

Persuasive Writing Contest – Why Sports Matter (Grades 4–7), DEADLINE: April 24, 2020 added 3/26/20

Podcasts for Kids That Adults Will Like Too – a great way for you and your kids to learn about something new together added 3/30/20

ReadTheory – Personalized reading comprehension exercises for K-12 and ESL students

Resources for ELs During Remote Learning (from NC DPI – requires google login) added 3/24/20

San Diego Zoo Live Cams – Peek in on a dozen different animal habitats at one of the world’s best zoos.

Storyline Online – Celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations

Switch Zoo – Animal games

Ted-Ed@Home Daily Newsletter – High-quality, interactive, video-based lessons on a daily basis added 3/24/20

Virtual Museum Tours – 12 famous museums offer virtual tours

Children’s House

Sample Schedule for Pre-K3 & Pre-K4 Student
Sample Schedule for Kindergarten Student

ABCmouse (30 Days Free) – Reading, Math, Science, Art & Colors

ABCYA –  over 400 fun and educational games for grades PreK through 6

Amy Latta Creations – 10 at home art lessons for children added 3/31/20

Aquarium Virtual tours –added 3/31/20

Aquarium Virtual Tour – added 3/31/20

The Art of Education University – at home art lessons for children added 3/31/20

Art Museum Collections  – added 3/31/20

Art Museum Virtual tours around the world  – added 3/31/20

BrainPOPJR  – STEM • Social Studies • Reading/Writing • Health • Arts activities for K-3 added 3/31/20

Coral Reef “Online Lab” – A video presentation with suggested activities, from Kid Lab added 3/26/20

The Dot – added 3/31/20

EPIC (30 Days FREE) – Digital library for kids 12 & under

Everyone’s Awake- Story read by the illustrator – added 3/31/20

Free Creative Craft plans through Discount School Supply – added 3/31/20

Free Science Kit  – added 3/31/20

FunBrain PreK & K Playground – Games, books, comics, and videos that develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy

Handwriting without Tears activities (virtual) for Pre-K & K) – added 3/31/20

Letterland –  Free resources from Award Winning phonics publisher added 3/31/20

Manoj Bathula Art – added 3/31/20

Mini Kid Zone – added 3/31/20

Mo Williems LUNCH DOODLES – Award winning children’s author and illustrator draws and talks to viewers once a day during isolation added 3/31/20

Mobile Montessori – Educational apps for schools & home learning added 3/24/20

More Virtual Tours – added 3/31/20

Movable Alphabet Printables – added 3/31/20

Montessori Tools – Interactive Montessori materials added 3/24/20

National Parks Virtual Tours  – added 3/31/20

NC Symphony Online Concerts – Hear the Symphony wherever they are—and learn What Makes Music, Music! Access with password 1932. added 3/26/20

PBS Kids –  added 3/31/20

Podcasts for Kids That Adults Will Like Too – a great way for you and your kids to learn about something new together added 3/30/20

Resources for ELs During Remote Learning (from NC DPI – requires google login) added 3/26/20

Romper- List of authors reading their children’s books – added 3/31/20

Samu TV Kids Learning and Songs – added 3/31/20

San Diego Zoo – added 3/31/20

Stamp Game Printable – added 3/31/20

Starfall – language arts and mathematics for PreK – 3rd

Teach Your Monster to Read (FREE when using a computer) – game that makes learning to read fun

The Very Hungry Caterpillar animated film from Eric Carle’s classic children’s book – added 3/31/20

Young Rembrandts – added 3/31/20

Music/Art

Ain’t No Bugs on Me – Fun BlueGrass-style singalong added 3/30/20

Blob Chorus  – Practice matching pitches in a fun game (requires Adobe Flash)

Google Arts & Culture –  Discover artworks, collections and stories from all around the world.

NY Philharmonic KidZone  – Explore the New York Philharmonic site.  Fun games, learn about composers, watch performances.

#MetKids – Explore a Metropolitan Museum of Art’s site made for, with, and by kids.