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.
Charter School Students Explore Music
Students at The School of Science and Technology Northwest in Texas are staying connected through music. They paired with the San Antonio Sound Garden to host a STEM and music club online where students focus on how to create music.
Charter School Helps Feed Community
Keys Grace Academy in Michigan is helping to feed others during the pandemic. They are distributing sixty-four thousand meals a week. Any person under 18 can pick up food from one of the school’s meal distribution sites. In addition, the school is using buses to deliver meals to homes.
In North Carolina, Arapahoe Charter School donated fresh vegetables for families in-need. The students planted seeds in the school’s garden before it closed—and now their hard work is going to a good cause! The school garden is a part of Operation Veggie Box which helps feed families in the community.
Charter Schools Celebrate Teachers and Students
Legacy Traditional School in Nevada had a parade for their teachers. More than one thousand students and their families participated to show teachers how much they are appreciated and missed. Teachers also held signs and greeted their students with a smile.
Tiller School in North Carolina also hosted a parade—but in reverse. They called it the “Aloha Reverse Parade,” where teachers embraced a Hawaiian-theme, held signs, and waved to their students.
In New York, Reach Charter School surprised their teachers with gift baskets delivered to their front doors. The teachers expressed their gratitude on video.
Charter School Provides Online Open Classroom
In California, Springs Charter Schools’ open classroom is attracting students from all over, including the United Kingdom, India, and Japan. The daily lessons are free and open to all. They also share COVID-19 resources to help support students. To help keep students motivated, they shared a video on YouTube to highlight how students are learning at home.
Kudos to this school and the others above to providing support to students, parents, teachers, and the community.
If you have an uplifting story to share about educators going the extra mile, please send it to me at brittnee@publiccharters.org.
Brittnee Exum is the manager of communications and marketing at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
