Harrington teachers, students improvise during quarantine

HARRINGTON - In Harrington schools, teachers and staff look out for local children in each aspect of their lives.

The teachers are a major reason why parents enroll their children in the public school system here, and that was on what used to be a "normal day."

But now, the coronavirus scare has created a teaching situation never before seen since the local school began in the 1880s.

Still teachers and staff are meeting the challenges of educating children even though they are not in the classrooms.

With no hesitation, plans were implemented to continue teaching and caring for student needs.

Breakfast and lunch are prepared and dispersed either in person or delivered by bus. School books and assignments are delivered in like manner.

One creative idea was to have quarantine "Spirit Weeks" and post photos, which turned out to be a fun way to connect with the students and see how they envisioned the topic that week, teachers said.

Each of the staff participated in special programs and interaction with their students.

Notices like the one sent out April 17, encourage both parents and students.

Teachers say they have to be versatile and innovative in aiding the children to prosper under these unusual circumstances.

They also encourage parents to spend quality time with the children and not get stressed about school work, "share your laughter with your children. No kids are ahead. No kids are behind."

Several items from the Harrington School Facebook page included teachers reading to the students, as Mrs Kruger reading "I Love You When" by Alicia McBride; Mr Cronrath read "Tacky the Penguin" by Helen Lester; Mrs King read "The Koala Who Could" by Rachel Bright & Jim Field; Ms Hoffman chose Bryan Smith's book, "If Winning Isn't Everything, Why Do I Hate to Lose?" and Mrs Larmer read "Little Blue Truck's Springtime" by Alice Schertle. Lego blocks were written on and stacked showing fractions for their math activity.

Physical Education also appeared on screen with a student following the program for yoga on a mat in front of the screen.

One instructor demonstrated tying one's shoe. A lot of other activities are going on behind the scenes.

Mrs Colbert had the kindergarten students' eggs in her incubator. This usually is a very exciting project for the children.

This year, Colbert continued caring for her charges. The eggs had the student's initials on them and she made announcements as they began to hatch.

The first chick on scene belonged to Jet, followed by Declan's chick.

On March 27, the school greenhouse was full of growing plants in preparation of the Plant Sale, which was scheduled for May 1. The photo showed a dedicated staff member was faithful to keep them alive.

Earlier in the season, LaMarr Larmer took his classes on a field trip to the fish hatchery in Spokane, where they learned about the hatchery, received 100 rainbow trout eggs and obtained a fish permit.

The students began caring for the fish.

Then came the quarantine, leaving the fish for Larmer to care for.

Larmer's April 2 notice read, "Hey fifth and sixth graders! The 'kids' just want to say 'Hello". They miss you because of the great care you gave them. Their social distancing needs some work."; (the photo showing the fish swimming so close to one another that they were touching).

The time has arrived (April 20) for their delivery to Coffee Pot Lake, where they were released by Levi Schenk, Tony Hamilton and LaMarr Larmer with Edwin Haugan to video the process.

Several students received recognition, as did Stone Carpenter for Student of the Week, recently, however, in spite of coronavirus he worked hard on his Supervised Agriculture Experience at home under his adviser, Mrs Warner.

He is raising two pigs and learning how to prepare a hog for market.

"Caroline just found out she made it into the finals for Job Interview in our Virtual State FBLA leadership conference!

The Top 15 resume and cover letters in the state were selected and now she will get to advance into the interview portion.

She will be given a set of interview questions and then will have 30 minutes to record her replies and submit them for judging later this month.

This premiere virtual conference will be taking place over the next few weeks, so we will be reporting back as we hear results.

Thanks, Caroline, for sticking with the added challenges of this year's conference!

You are a champion!"

Sharon Kruger is FBLA adviser for Caroline Slack.

"Going on a Bear Hunt. Start a Bear Hunt!

Neighborhoods are doing an awesome thing for kids and families going on walks or drives: everyone who wants to participate will put teddy bears in their windows so families can go on a 'bear hunt".

My family loves the Going on a Bear Hunt book, so we are all thrilled and eager to participate.

Join us by putting a bear in your window; there's one at our house!" (shared by Principal, Mrs Clouse).