Teachers from elementary schools in Clay and Nassau counties paraded through the students’ neighborhoods to make sure the children know they are missed.
Two News4Jax viewers sent heartwarming photos of teachers from Shadowlawn Elementary School in Middleburg and Wildlight Elementary in Yulee driving through the neighborhoods over the weekend and waving at the children, some in vehicles decorated with messages like, “We love you."
The Clay County viewer told News4Jax teachers encouraged families to participate in the event by sending an alert through the school’s app as well as posting information online.
The students in both neighborhoods made signs for their teachers saying they missed them.
Both parades over the weekend lasted for a couple of hours.
On Tuesday, dozens of Argyle Elementary School teachers and staff also drove through the neighborhood to say hi to their students.
“I just said hi and, on the inside, I was just so excited and I just felt like this is awesome,” said Argyle Elementary School student Elias Hernandez. “Most of the teachers there love me, they think I’m awesome. So I really miss them.”
Hernandez was right -- the teachers really do miss them.
“Honestly, the empty school behind us is not a school without those kids behind us,” said Argyle Elementary Principal Angela Ward.
The children were anxiously waiting at stop signs to get a glimpse of familiar faces. Both the students and the teachers were overjoyed when they saw each other and reconnected -- even if it was just for a few minutes.
“It’s an excitement that I can’t even express in words,” Ward said.
Campuses across the state are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, and students are transitioning to online learning.