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By Sheldon Spackman

GATORS

Students and teachers from Annie L. Gaetz reconnect through virtual parade

Apr 11, 2020 | 9:27 AM

Roughly two dozen teachers, staff and educational assistants from Annie L. Gaetz Elementary School in Red Deer took part in a ‘virtual parade’ of sorts on Thursday.

After initially planning for a vehicle parade through parts of Morrisroe and Deer Park, a change was made to, instead, have students and their families drive by the school at their leisure and wave to their teachers, staff, and educational assistants to better ensure physical distancing.

“I know many of you were very excited to see at a safe distance your teachers in a parade this afternoon,” said Principal Larry J. Hartel, in a message to both students and parents. “We know a number of other schools around the province have done these events and that the Central Zone chief medical officer was asked and gave permission as long as physical distancing rules were followed.”

Hartel noted they did not want to cause any added stress to the community, nor contribute to the spread of the virus, so decided a change of plans was required.

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Organizers say the aim of the parade was to reconnect with their students ahead of the Easter long weekend and next week’s spring break.

Karen Kenny, a Grade 5 teacher, says they really just wanted to tell their students that they’re loved and missed, and that they’re going to get through this together.

Brothers Parker Burkinshaw (Grade 4 at Annie L. Gaetz) and Logan Burkinshaw, now in Grade 7 at Westpark Middle School, and used to go to Annie L. Gaetz, took part in the parade. (Contributed)

“We never got a chance to say goodbye to them,” says Kenny. “Their parents came to pick up things from the school, so we haven’t seen our little kiddies in almost a month. One of the biggest problems with our kiddies right now is, they’re kind of afraid because everything that was normal is now gone.”

With all schooling being done online, Kenny admits it’s been a steep learning curve over the past four weeks, but feels everyone has adapted successfully.

“We’re doing more face-to-face chats, we’re doing meetings online, I touch base with my kids at least twice a week in a great big group hangout,” she explains. “I’ve seen more kitty cats and puppy dogs, and ‘This is my art,’ and ‘Miss Kenny, this is my room.’ It’s been wonderful.”

As a result, Kenny says teacher morale remains as strong as it can be under the circumstances.

“Our administration team from both central office and within our school has been working really hard to be there for us,” she explains. “We’ve been fielding lots of tech questions, we’re reaching out to a lot of our families who are in trouble right now, who have lost work, and we’re trying to help the best we can.”

“We’re providing work at home,” she continues. “We’ve even been delivering lunches, food hampers, and we’ve gotten immensely positive feedback from our parents, and our staff is doing okay. We’ve got each other’s backs.”