Many Quilchena elementary students and their families dressed in red with handmade signs took to the sidewalks around the school to see their teachers in a "car parade" on Friday afternoon.
Roughly 20 cars with colourful “We Miss You” signs, balloons, streamers and ribbons as well as Richmond’s Batman (Ricky Nelson) and his Batmobile drove past houses in the neighbourhood while honking and waving to students standing on the sidewalks.
In response to the car horns that echoed the neighbourhood, families and children waved back to teachers and Batman, while those on their bicycles rang their bells loudly.
Kirsten Wallace, principal at Quilchena elementary, said the parade was a great turnout with many “great signs and so many cheers and smiling faces of both children and adults.”
“I loved seeing the staff drive into the parking lot with their cars decorated and their joy at seeing one another,” said Wallace, adding that many of the students’ signs were part of a “weekly learning task” from staff members for students to remember about social distancing and being safe during this time.
“The parade boosted the spirits of staff who (missed) their students dearly.”
The idea to host the parade was brought up by a staff member who saw a similar event at her son’s school in another district. Many other staff members were supportive after hearing about it during a Zoom meeting.
Wallace told the Richmond News that the parade was an opportunity for students and staff to connect while keeping the physical distance.
“Strong school communities are built on a solid foundation of relationships – the students were able to connect with their students – if only from a distance,” said Wallace.
“Schools are essential to our communities and I think the enthusiasm demonstrated by our community affirms this. I think everyone benefited from a dose of positivity!”
