Thank you, teachers!

Distance learning has been a challenging time for all involved, but the Wilbur & McMahon School team has been doing what they can to ease the burden on families – something that has not gone unnoticed by parents.

“It’s not an ideal situation, but I really feel like they’ve been making the best of it that they could,” said Kim Cannon, president of the school’s Parent Student Teacher organization.

From the moment Gov. Gina Raimondo first announced that school buildings would be closed back in mid-March, Ms. Cannon said that WMS was there for its community – making sure everyone had internet access and technology devices, and establishing a breakfast and lunch pick-up program for those who might need it.

While students were on their “spring break,” staff were working together to develop a distance learning curriculum that would be the most successful.

After a week of review and limited live classes, Ms. Cannon said that school has been in full swing ever since for her fifth grade twin girls, Elodie and Brenna, who have at least three virtual meetings with teachers each day, in both core and special subjects.

“We’ve been advancing the curriculum and they’ve been learning new concepts in all of their classes,” Ms. Cannon said.

What struck Hope Burchard was how teachers were still committed to making lessons engaging for Anna and Elizabeth, her first and fifth grade daughters, like conducting science experiments together live from materials found at home. When it was realized Anna would need additional help with her school work throughout the day, her support teacher volunteered to make extra time available.

“I’ve just been very pleased,” Ms. Burchard said. “I won’t say surprised, because they always offer such a wonderful level of support there.”

In addition to furthering their students’ education, WMS is working to assure that they all stay connected; Ms. Burchard said teachers will sometimes host a “lunch bunch” for students in different grade levels, and Ms. Cannon said they just wrapped up a school spirit week featuring a different theme each day.

Submissions for a virtual talent show were just due this past Saturday – Elizabeth sent a video of herself doing a gymnastics routine – which WMS will edit together and share in the coming weeks.

“I haven’t really spoken with anyone who is doing more than what Wilbur is doing for our kids,” Ms. Cannon said.

And for that, they want to say thank you.

“That’s made all the difference,” Ms. Burchard said.