The Bridge

Nauticus Launches Sea Creature Contest to Engage Families During School Closures Deep sea creatures have been social distancing for thousands of years, and now regional students and families will have an opportunity to imagine, create, and design their own aquatic animals from home. Nauticus has launched its first annual DEEP SEA TRASH CREATURE CONTEST in answer to a need for home-based, educational content due to school closures associated with COVID-19. To enter the contest, families must research the unique adaptations animals utilize to survive in the deep ocean. Then, using recyclable ma... read more

Now more than ever we as a community need to support our small businesses. These are trying times for our country from a health and economic standpoint. With the announcement March 23rd from Governor Northam, all non-essential businesses must close for 30 days. This announcement also mandated that restaurants must close their doors for dine-in (for up to 10 people) and offer only delivery or curbside pick-up. *Theannouncement is at the bottom of this post* This list was created in effort to help small businesses get the word out about their hours of operation, specials they may be offering or... read more

Have you heard of Tutor.com for Military Families? This is a free program for active duty military families funded by the Department of Defense. Is your community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, schools may move or have already moved instruction to a virtual environment and students may have diminished access to learning support and tutoring.Tutor.com for Military Families can help and you aren't alone! If your schooling and learning support options have been affected by COVID-19, remember—as always—Tutor.com is available to help. Access for free through www.tutor.com/military . Abo... read more

Blue Star Family Members Receive Free Subscription to Headspace, A Meditation App It is proven that one of the best ways to reduce stress is through mediation. Our world is definitely living in unprecedented times as we are facing changes to our day to day life. A membership to Headspace could be just what you need to help alleviate the stress. Meditation is not just for adults but children as well. This is a great opportunity to give it a try for free. Headspace has generously offered Blue Star Families Members free subscriptions. This app might become some of the most relaxing10 minutes of ... read more

In a time of extreme uncertainly, many companies are stepping up and offering free services or waived fees for those around the country. This comes at a time of need in our country when people may be laid off from jobs, kids facing their new reality of virtual schooling, and life as we know it is changing on a daily basis. We are grateful for businesses to find ways in which they can help support our country. Below is a list of companies either offering free services orwaived fees. If you have any companies to add to the list, please share in the comments below. EXERCISE We have learned about... read more