This post is part of an ongoing series sharing the positive stories that have come out of the challenges our schools are facing. To see all of the posts in this series, click here.
In a short amount of time, COVID-19 has changed the way we live. The term social distancing is a new norm—and families around the world are forced to adapt to new routines. While the lives of many have changed significantly, one thing that has remained consistent is the drive of school leaders and teachers to continue serving their students the best way they can. Despite the problems many Americans are facing, there are many examples that show how educators are going the extra mile.
Oregon charter school helps supply hospital.
Oregon medical professionals at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland are filled with gratitude after they received a donation from a charter high school. The Center For Advanced Learning donated 500 masks, shoe and hair covers, hundreds of gowns and 10 cases of gloves to the hospital. School leaders hope to partner with other high schools with medical programs to donate more supplies.
Teachers continue to show up.
When the Mastery Charter School network in Philadelphia asked for three school employees from each site to assist with a meal-distribution program, more than double that number responded. At least 10 teachers and staff volunteers from each site stepped up to help execute the meal distribution plan. At their Shoemaker Campus, 400 meals were given out within the first hour alone.
Rain, shine, or pandemic—bus drivers deliver.
The team at Pinnacle Charter School in Denver is doing everything they can to eliminate barriers for their students. The school’s bus drivers are following their routes and dropping off breakfast and lunch along the way. A charter school organization helped New Orleans school leaders take the same approach—the school district used buses from FirstLine Schools to help deliver meals throughout the city. In Tennessee, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA) launched the Mustang Express. In addition to meals, CGLA bus drivers dropped off household items such as toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, sanitizing wipes and feminine hygiene products to families.
If you have an uplifting story to share about educators going the extra mile, please send it to me at [email protected].
Brittnee Exum is the manager of communications and marketing at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
