Students at Arthur Pechey school eagerly await a special opportunity to see their teachers again. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell and Alison Sandstrom

School's Out

‘We miss the kids so much’: P.A. teachers show appreciation for students

Apr 24, 2020 | 4:00 PM

Staff and students at Arthur Pechey and W.J. Berezowsky school took to the streets Friday to show their appreciation for one another.

As a result of COVID-19, schools have been shut down since mid-March. Aryn Peterson, a social worker at Arthur Pechey, helped organize her school’s event. A procession of close to a dozen well decorated cars and trucks made their way through the west hill area.

“We miss the kids so much and this is our way to see their faces and feel like we are connected,” she said. “We want to spread some community pride.”

As the teachers drove by, the students and families stood on the curbs, lawns and even vehicles and waved. Some students even brought colourful signs. Natalia, nine, was proudly wearing her Eagles t-shirt.

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“I miss being in your class,” she told paNOW, when asked what message she would like to pass along to her teacher.

W.J. Berezowsky Principal Dwayne Tournier waves to students during the parade. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Across town at W.J. Berezowsky School, students and teachers were also on the street.

Brent Pilon told paNOW his daughters Kinsley, Pre-K, and Noella, Kindergarten, had been looking forward to the prospect of seeing their teachers for days.

“This morning I got asked numerous times about when the parade was going to start,” he said with a laugh. “So they’re pretty pumped.”

Sisters Kinsley, Pre-K, and Noella, Kindergarten wait for the parade to pass. (Alison Sandstrom)

When Kinsley saw her teacher Mrs. Keller, she jumped up and down with delight.

That feeling, it appears, was mutual.

“It just brought tears to my eyes because I miss them,” said Nancy Keller. “And just to see how excited they are to see me, it does something to my heart.”

Teachers honk and wave at their students from their cars. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

The shuttering of schools has been difficult, said Keller. Although she acknowledges it’s unlikely, she hopes they have the opportunity to come back in June, even if it’s just for a short period to reconnect and get some closure on the year.

“This is just so foreign to us, I mean connection to students is number one, so when we don’t have that it’s just really hard,” Keller said.

Pre-K student Sofia Tait and her family watched the parade from their front yard.(Alison Sandstrom

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On Twitter: @princealbertNOW