WINDSOR, Va. – The principal of Windsor Elementary, Ellen Couch, says she’s been a resident of Isle of Wight County for her entire life and has never had to plan for anything quite like this.
Couch says she wants her students to know during this time of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: They are loved.
“This is a crazy time in our country and our world. We’ve never lived through something like this," Couch told News 3 reporter Samantha German. "We know how to prepare for a hurricane, we know how to prepare for a snowstorm, but this is all-new territory for us. If we can show a little bit of love and get our faces out there and tell our kids, 'Hey, we love you,' then I feel like we’re making that difference in their lives each and every day."
From one end of Windsor all the way to the other, teachers and staff say by going through neighborhoods across the county, they’re hoping to put a smile on about 300 students’ faces.
Last week, Principal Couch and Assistant Principal Erin Luck came up with an idea of sending a video - almost like a virtual hug, as they described it - to all of their students at Windsor Elementary. The video was set to the theme song of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and prompted Friday’s beeps, waives, signs and shouts of, "I miss you" – face to face.
Spreading cheer, hope and so much positivity, all while keeping a social distance by being in the car, teachers at Windsor Elementary say it’s much needed during this time.
“The building is closed, but school is not over, learning is not over, our hearts aren’t closed. So, we’ve got teachers reaching out to our students every single day,” Luck said.
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Parents say being forced to deal with this pandemic has been tough with the extra load of work that’s now been put on top of their usual work, but some moms like Emily Bradshaw say they’re trying to keep their spirits up and remain positive.
“Their teachers are doing an awesome job sending us things to keep them learning and making sure they don’t get behind. But, it’s difficult because now I have to also teach and I’m also dealing with being home and having to do all of the usual housework. It’s just a lot of jobs all at once,” Bradshaw said.
"We love you, we miss you and we’re here for you": It’s a message teachers at Windsor Elementary want their family of students and parents to know. Acts like today's show they’re not alone, but instead in it together.
