Despite the fact that Virginia schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, teachers at one Loudoun County school found a way to stay connected — at least from a safe distance — with their students.
Creighton’s Corner Elementary School, in Ashburn, came up with a solution: a teacher car parade through the neighborhoods where students live.
“While we’re trying to leverage all of the technology, we have to connect through video and Google Classroom, you really can’t beat a face-to-face smile and wave from your teacher,” said Amanda Dowling, PTA president at Creighton’s Corner Elementary School in Ashburn.
After developing a route and approximate timetable, with safety reminders to not approach cars, a caravan of approximately 80 cars coasted through Ashburn neighborhoods, with families watching from sidewalks.
“Our teachers and principals drove through our neighborhoods, and honked and waved, and cheered at our students and parents,” Dowling said.
- Sign up for news alerts from WTOP
- Closings and delays
- What businesses can stay open in Virginia?
- Md. company donates 14,000 masks to state health department
- As coronavirus spreads, organizations across the region seek volunteers
- Traffic and transit changes in DC, Md. and Va. during coronavirus response
- Coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- Coronavirus FAQ: What you need to know
Excited young voices called out to teachers as they passed by — many had decorated their cars and wore costumes.
“The kids were just overjoyed — they were just excited to see their teachers,” Dowling said. “I think the parents and teachers were a little more emotional.”
Many students made signs and used chalk to welcome the teachers to their neighborhood.
On one street, suddenly homeschooling parents wrote signs that read: “Your job is hard. Send backups.”
