Kellogg Elementary unites community together with teacher train
GOLETA, Calif. — It was tough for students when schools shut down last month. This forced a fast farewell at Kellogg Elementary School.
“When our school shutdown, a lot of our students and teachers didn’t get to have a real goodbye,” Kellogg principal Regina Davis said. “To not see them every day and not have that connection has been difficult for everyone.”
Nearly three weeks went by before Kellogg faculty began organizing a neighborhood teacher train.
This motorcade would allow students and instructions to connect together in a safe way.
“We decided that this would be a great opportunity to see our kids face-to-face while respecting the social distance rules,” Kellogg teacher Mary Paterson said. “Just let them know that we care about them.”
This afternoon, California Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed that schools throughout the state will remain closed through the end of the academic year.
Despite this harsh reality, today’s event allowed teachers to finally reunite with their students.”
“They need their teachers and our teachers need their students,” Davis said. “We do this for a reason and it’s the connection to each other.”
Families, parents and kids seemed to enjoy the unforgettable experience.
“Seeing the bulldog was amazing,” Kellogg student Reid Burkepile said. “When I saw it looked like a giant stuffed bear to me.”
“The fun part is that I was on the roof and seeing the little teddy bear,” Kellogg student Olivia Reynoso said.
The reaction was priceless for teachers and staff members.
“The families just clustered together and waved their signs,” Davis said.
“To be able to see them and let them know we care about them, it filled our hearts with joy,” Paterson said.
While classroom communities must remain apart for the foreseeable future, event organizers wanted this event to serve as a powerful reminder of hope.
“It just meant the world to all of us,” Paterson said. “It gave us that spirit and boost that we’re going to make it through this.”
“It’s going to be okay and we know that but being able to see the families, teachers and kids today was really meaningful,” Davis concluded.
