E-learning at the early elementary grade level is new and unfamiliar for parents and teachers. I can’t speak for any other grades other than the Sommer Elementary first grade and teacher Meaghan Snellenbarger, or Mrs. S as her students call her. Sommer students have carried their iPads and an E-learning folder in their backpacks all winter in case we had an unforeseen snow or bad weather day, so when all of a sudden we found ourselves home on March 9, we were prepared, or so we thought. I feel reasonably sure that all parents felt the same way I did, “Oh, my what do I do now?” So, being the troopers that we are we winged it, then we, or I was introduced to Dojo and there was Mrs. S, a life and sanity saver. She assured us we would all get through this together, then the other shoe dropped, we would be home for an extended period of time. Now what?
So again Mrs. S was there. We got a message that she would be preparing folders for each student and delivering them. There are 16 students in her class. Well lo’ and behold we received folders delivered to our doors containing work for April 13 through May 1. There was an individual packet for each day, dated and explaining what to do and the extra music and art.
By the time we finished I was exhausted. (Did I mention I’m a 76-year-old MeMa raising a 7-year-old granddaughter and it’s been a very long time since I was in first grade?)
We check in for attendance, on the iPad and students check into Zoom where they can see and talk to their classmates. They have also discovered FaceTime. Last week Mrs. S had a scavenger hunt and the students had so much fun. You should have seen everyone running to see who could find things first and be the first one back, and each child got a prize that was delivered to their door by guess who? Mrs. S herself.
Even though we will never forget these difficult times, the students will never forget Mrs. Snellenbarger. She is an exceptionally caring teacher and friend to her first graders at Sommer Elementary and their parents.
We love you, Mrs. S,
Allayna, Arthur, Boston, Brayden, Easton, Haylee, Hudson, Hunter, Maddie, Madison, Maiah, Nicolas, Nolan, Oliver, Quintin and Rosie.
Dottie Rathburn
