The kids took notes on shapes they found during a nature walk with mom and neighbor, Cassandra Cleaveland.
Pictured left to right, Peighton Barnes, Julieanna Cleaveland, Trevor Barnes, Augustus Cleaveland, and Jayden Barnes.
Students had one day, March 16, to gather their things and say goodbye to teachers after Governor JB Pritzker shut down schools in a March 13 announcement. Younger kids didn’t necessarily fully understand the gravity of the situation. Parents are now home with their kids, navigating E-Learning and working to create a new “normal” amidst the chaos.
Cassandra Cleaveland, Cable, is one of many parents making these days count.
“I am a teacher. I don't know how NOT to teach. So for my sanity and the kid's need for continued learning, we're in this together...even if it's taking a village!” She has spent time teaching her children and her neighbors children.
“I am a teacher. I don't know how NOT to teach. So for my sanity and the kid's need for continued learning, we're in this together...even if it's taking a village!” She has spent time teaching her children and her neighbors children.
“Both of our families are all home. Our family has two kids and the Barnes family has four. We discussed the risk factors of combining our families but neither of us are in contact with others and are taking all the hand-washing and cleaning precautions.”
She said neither family has enough internet data to get all the kids work done.
“The church is allowing us to use their internet and a Sunday school room because the weather has been so cold and rainy. (The Cable Community Church is currently closed so we are the only ones going in and out),” she said.
So far the small group has done community service by picking up trash on a nature walk, some woodworking, and was even visited (at a safe distance) by the boys Kindergarten teacher, Stephanie Bohnert (Sherrard Elementary).
“The little sisters joined us and we went on a shape hunt walk. The kids all had little note pads to document their findings,” said Cleaveland.
Cleaveland plans to make a photo album to remember this unusual time in history.
“I'm not much of a journal-er but my phone's always good for taking pictures. My kids have always liked sending vacation pictures to be printed for their own albums so I think it's a way for us to remember everything we've done in our own way.”
