MANSFIELD — If this were a normal school year, elementary school teachers would be spending their days managing end-of-the-year field trips and parties. They would be hugging their students goodbye and telling them how proud they were.
This may not be a normal year, but the teachers at Sherman Elementary were determined to give their students a proper goodbye.
On Tuesday evening, more than 40 staff members braved the heat and stood for an hour in front of the school as students and their families drove by. They called out greetings, waved and many brought homemade signs.
Sherman Principal Amy Bradley said for the past two months, the staff sought permission to do something for the students.
“When all of this started, that was the first thing they asked me, could they have a parade for the kids? They wanted closure for the kids, they wanted to say goodbye and see their faces,” Bradley said.
“That’s the one thing about you Sherman staff, from custodians, to parents, to teachers, to food service, they love the kids.”
The parade was especially poignant for third-grade teachers, since their students will move on to Malabar Middle School next year. Third grade teacher Jordan Monica described it as a final goodbye.
“It’s been stressful and more so here because half our students rely on the food. They rely on our love and hugs,” she said. “I think that’s the hardest part — wondering if they’re doing OK, getting their nutrients and what they need at home.”
“You get to love them like they’re your own children and miss them,” said Jessica Snyder, a second grade teacher.
Like many of the staff at Sherman, third-grade teacher Jon Bessick has been using apps to keep in touch with his students and their families. It helps, but it’s not the same.
“I like teaching hands-on, so not being able to see the kids on a day to day basis and not being able to see if they understand — it’s hard,” Bessick said. “We can’t control everything that’s going on, but (the parade) shows they’re still in our hearts, even though we can’t see them everyday.”
The smiles and shouts from both the cars and the sidewalk were ample evidence that the parade had a big impact on teachers and students alike.
“(The students) were thrilled. They were waving and yelling and they were just so excited,” Bradley said.
