Many teachers’ vehicles feature homemade signs taped to their side windows with messages about how much they miss their students.
The motorcades are increasingly featured on social media, and both teachers and school families say the rolling events are greatly appreciated.
More are likely to occur in area school communities in the wake of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s announcement earlier this week that all public and private K-12 schools must extend their shutdowns past the previous April 6 deadline, to now remain closed until May 1.
Most recently, Butler County’s Lakota Schools saw a parade Monday that had students from Wyandot Elementary on their front lawns happily shouting back as teachers slowly drove by.
“Our teachers and staff miss seeing their students in person every day,” said Betsy Fuller, spokeswoman for the 16,800-student district.
“The Wyandot ‘Parade of Staff’ is a great example of how a wave and hello can lift the spirits of our staff and our families during this trying time,” said Fuller.
“This was arranged by Liz Gruber, the principal at Wyandot. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few other schools plan their own parade.”
In her announcement sent to school parents, Gruber wrote:
“The Reds Opening Day Parade may have been cancelled, but we have our own Wyandot Parade of Staff coming to your neighborhood. For safety, we will make every effort to hit all side streets so that families do not have to congregate in groups at bus stops. We miss our students and cannot wait to see them! We hope you can come outside and give us a wave! Please remember to keep at least a 6-foot distance from others.”
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