While our school buildings remain closed, our teachers and students have been very busy engaging and learning during the fourth quarter. Teachers and students have found some creative ways to stay connected online. In science, kindergarteners have been learning about a variety of habitats while going on virtual field trips to a safari, coral reef, and some of our national parks. In second grade, students are engaged in life cycles. In first and second grade, Ms. Quinn and Ms. Rubenstein sent “flat” images of themselves to all their kids and sent them on educational and fun missions. Some teachers delivered signs and goodies to their students at home to remind them of how much they are missed. In addition, some of Laureate Park’s groups, like the Kindness Squad and the National Elementary Honor Society, have been sharing photos and messages online thanking our nurses, doctors, and first responders. Everyone is working hard to finish this year on a high note, even through less-than-ideal circumstances.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, Laureate Park’s administration and PTA spoiled our teachers. From delivering signs to all of our teachers’ houses (from North Orlando to Poinciana to Lakeland to Georgia) to video appreciation from our students to donuts and bingo from The Kendrick Group, our teachers were definitely appreciated.