I am a parent of a 2nd- and 3rd grader at Jeffrey Elementary School. On March 13, the kids in Madison had their last day of school in their classrooms at their school with their friends and teachers. Homeschooling has become our way now, and while we have adjusted to this unforeseen change in routine, the kids still miss going to their school.

Admittedly, there have been some challenging homeschool days over the past two months, but today was not one of them. Jeffrey School, led by Principal Rebecca Frost and followed by what appeared to be every single teacher from the school, put on a car parade for the Jeffrey School students. Jeffrey families were lined up on streets all over town to watch as their teachers drove passed them with encouraging signs, bubbles, and balloons, celebrating each and every one of those students.

Signs like “We Can Do This!” “We Miss You!” “You Guys Are the Best” adorned their cars, the love for their students palpable, even from a distance. The Jeffrey School teachers genuinely miss their students, and today it was put on display.

The teachers have put in so much time and effort over the past few months having to switch gears midyear to online teaching without any prep, so to make this effort today was just an extraordinary gift. This has been hard for everyone, and our kids can feel it. But today they felt love and hope and genuine appreciation from their teachers, and it was beautiful. I thank the Jeffrey School principal and staff—they show up and it is so appreciated.

Jennifer Cunningham

Madison