GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The coronavirus has kept students out of school and away from their teachers for nearly two weeks, and while some students might be enjoying the break -- teachers are missing their kids!
Several West Michigan teachers have recorded special messages for students statewide -- reminding them that though it may seem scary right now and all their hard work done in vain -- the students are missed and the teachers are proud of them.
"I'm so proud of how all of your are helping each other at this time," middle school social studies teacher Allison Borson said in her video. Borson teaches at Lighthouse Connections Academy, an online public school.
"Whether its helping your parents at home or your sibling with their school work -- like Mister Rogers used to say, 'you look for the helpers' and I think you are all dong just that! Keep it up!"
Bob Myers, a biology and anatomy teacher at West Ottawa High School reassured the students that someday they'll all be together again in the classroom, "and your teachers will once again be able to harp on your for looking at your phones all the time."
Myers also offered up some tips on what students could do during the school closures, "Try and do something productive: memorize the bones of the body, learn to play a new instrument, take your dog for a walk, read a book, make a bug collection."
"If nothing else, email your teachers and let us know what's going on, we want to hear from you, we really do! We miss you! Take care everybody!"
"I wanted to take a second to send a message out to all the students of Michigan to let you know how proud your teachers are of you," kindergarten teacher Kari Chapin said in her video. Chapin teaches at Northview Public Schools. "We hope that you are still taking this time to be creative and to have fun."
Chapin said she misses her students as much as they miss her and that she hopes to see them in a couple weeks.
Literature and writing teacher from Grandville High School wanted the students to know, "We miss you like crazy right now!"
"With all this "yuck" that's going around it's good to know that you're safe, that you're with your parents and that you're well," Shari Gilbert-Watts said in her video.
She also reminded senior students that their teachers, counselors and parents all recognize the work they've put in so far this year, "Seniors: we want you to also know that you've put the time in and we're very proud of you, and once this is all over and done with we can celebrate you like we're suppose to! But in the meantime, we want you to WASH YOUR HANDS! and be well and make us proud!"
Here are even more virtual video messages from teachers:
Keysha McClanahan is a blend teacher at Glenside Early Childhood Center and has a special message full of hope for students:
Jasmine Ramahi from East Kentwood High School said all the teachers and administrators miss their students and can't wait to get back in the classroom.
Hudsonville High School history teacher Marc Beemer also shared a message of hope with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., hoping students and communities can stand together -- 6 feet apart of course.
Jenison High School social studies teacher and coach Kyle Stumpf hopes his students will reach out to their teachers during the closures -- to keep teachers updated on how they're doing.
Grand Valley State University Athletic Director Keri Becker had a message for college students that have been impacted by COVID-19;
Bill Ross is the principal of Riley Street Middle School in Hudsonville and had a message of encouragement to students impacted by COVID-19.
Melissa Damico is an English teacher at Cedar Springs High School and she said she's heartbroken that she and her students don't get to finish the school year together.
Students will not return to school this semester and will instead finish out the year remotely, unless restrictions are lifted.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Thursday that extends the closure of all public and private K-12 schools and requires districts to switch to distance learning. Most districts were preparing for this as possibility, but the governor's order irons out the details of how the duration of the school year should work.
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