Page 13 - EdViewptsSpring2021

classmates. There were high rates every classroom. We followed up with
of satisfaction in terms of their class. pre-recorded morning announcements But we soon learned
That was good news. in which teachers talked about the that we needed to do
But then there was bad news. In terms characters, the main idea, and the more than just appear
of their connection to the whole school, theme of being connected.
the results were disappointing. A mere Following these sessions, we sent on screens. We must
65% of students felt connected to the heart templates to families through reassure children and
entire school. I was astonished. It was School Messenger for parents to print make them feel con-
like getting a ‘D’ on my report card. out and have the children color. The art
I knew things had to change for the teacher worked with every class to help nected, not simply to
better, but in the remote environment, I students from preschool through fifth their class but to the
didn’t know what or how. grade decorate the heart and connect entire school. Children
After much discussion at a faculty it to the story. Students posted photos
meeting, we realized that we took of themselves and their hearts on need to understand
students’ sense of belonging to their Padlet. I posted a photo of myself with that they are known
school for granted. Community building, my decorated heart on Padlet, too! In and cared for by the
which we accomplished easily when addition, the guidance counselor used
the building was open, had changed. Book Creator so that we could send a principal and are a val-
After all, students no longer rode the pre-recorded reading of the book for ued part of the larger
bus, or played on the playground, families to read to children.
or ate lunch in the cafeteria, or We didn’t stop there. As the holidays school community.
participated in after-school activities. drew near, we asked families to drive
All of these ‘hidden’ community building by the school, drop off their hearts in Lessons Learned
components were absent. a designated box, and donate food for
I realized that we needed a community the local food pantry. On the day of As a result of the health crisis, we
found that we could persevere under
building plan for remote learning, and the drive, hundreds of families drove dire circumstances and teach and learn
we had to make it a priority. through. We donated barrels upon
barrels of food to the pantry. It was from home. But we soon learned that
truly amazing to see this outpouring we needed to do more than just appear
from our parents and children. We on screens. We must reassure children
The Plan posted a video of the food donations and make them feel connected, not
Once I explained the results of on social media for all the families to simply to their class but to the entire
our survey, I asked for volunteers see. (Hoffman, et al 2020). school. Children need to understand
to develop a whole school plan Prior to winter break, we hosted a that they are known and cared for by
(Prothero, 2020). I was excited to see winter assembly via a webinar. We the principal and are a valued part of
that 12 teachers and staff members created a video in which each staff the larger school community.
stepped up immediately. After much member tossed a paper snowball that The key is to pay attention to the data…
discussion, we worked out a plan that grew larger and larger from person really pay attention to it. And more
included a children’s story, artwork, to person. Everyone participated. I importantly, we must engage teachers
videos, a webinar, and a letter to each was the last person to catch a very in planning. When asked to collaborate,
child’s home. large snowball and then toss it to the our teachers rose to the challenge,
students at the end. Yes, we are all every single one of them. I learned
connected, even the principal! that we should not let a crisis stand in
Read Aloud It was important that the purpose of our way. Instead, we should use it to
overcome challenges on behalf of the
The first thing we did was select a our initiative was shared over and children and families we serve.
theme for the initiative. It was grounded over again. With that said, we sent
in a book recommended by our a letter from the school along with a I imagine that many of us will remember
school guidance counselor entitled personalized letter from the teachers what happened during the pandemic
The Invisible String by Patricia Karst. to each child’s home over winter the way we remember where we were
In the story, a mother comforts her break. Included in the envelope was a when Kennedy was shot, or when the
two children by telling them that an red lanyard bracelet, purchased by the Twin Towers fell. My hope is that our
invisible string connects us to those we PTO, with a message that reinforced children will remember that despite the
love even when we are far apart. The our invisible connections. This surprise pandemic, we are all tied together by an
guidance counselor, the librarian and concluded the initiative. invisible string, that we are never really
I took turns reading the story aloud in alone, and that their school and principal
care for them like family.

Educational Viewpoints -11- Spring 2021