Orangeville schools bring cheer to students during distance learning
April 27, 2020
ORANGEVILLE, Ontario – Staff from two Orangeville elementary schools had a creative way to bring some cheer to their students on Friday.
School staff and members of School Council at Island Lake Public School and Spencer Avenue Elementary School wanted to wish all of their families well by holding car parades through their school communities.
The schools developed a plan that adhered to the safety protocols issued by Public Health and the province regarding safe physical distancing, and plotted out routes for their community parades.
On Friday afternoon, staff drove one-by-one in their cars through various neighbourhoods, waving from their cars to students and families in their homes and on their front porches and lawns.
“This parade brought the entire community together (even while remaining apart), through the excitement leading up to it, the preparation and display of signs and the outpouring of gratitude afterwards,” said Tania Rooney, Island Lake PS School Council Chair. “This is exactly what we all needed right now!”
Staff said the parades are one small way of letting their students know how much they miss them and to thank them for the great job they are doing with distance learning.
Spencer Avenue ES Principal Dianna Secord said that the planning that went into the initiative ahead of time really paid off. “The community absolutely loved it,” she said.
“This was such an incredible experience for all of us, students, parents and staff – our hearts needed a little bit of filling up – this did the trick,” said ILPS Principal Sean Singh.
Categories: News Tags: Community • Distance Learning