The smallest school in Libertyville School District 70 had a huge turnout Thursday, when parents and students greeted teachers at Adler Park Elementary School with a parade of cars.
School staff stood along the winding drive behind Adler, using social distancing, as their ecstatic students waved from open car windows and sunroofs.
Principal Kerri Bongle, who stood at the beginning of the line, said students, parents and staff all have had challenges adjusting to a new way of schooling. The school has been using remote learning and has been closed since March 13.
“But I think it’s bringing us closer together,” Bongle said, adding, “Parents are doing a really good job of talking about it with their children, but not scaring them about it. I know some of the students are scared, but they’ve been reaching out to our teachers and our social worker has been teleconferencing with students.”
Jack Turner, a music-band teacher at the school, also looked forward to the parade. He said he was planning to retire soon after 32 years — something that has become a bittersweet moment for him since the pandemic began.
“Seeing the kids today is a very, very special treat. You can only do so much with the e-learning and technology,” he said. “If, by chance, this is the last time seeing these kids, seeing them today personally is amazing.”
Denys Bucksten is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press
