East Holds Parade Through Rochester Neighborhoods to Connect with Students, Families Amid Coronavirus School Closure

With schools closed across New York State because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, teachers, school administrators and support staff at East Upper & Lower Schools came up with a way to show scholars how much they miss and appreciate them. On April 16, sounds of car horns honking and cheers filled the streets of neighborhoods surrounding East High School as teachers and administrators from East paraded in their vehicles to connect with their students whom they have missed seeing in their classrooms for several weeks and all the other children in the Beechwood and EMMA neighborhoods that East serves.
 
East staff lined up their cars covered with heart-warming, motivational messages along their side doors and windows and drove through the Beechwood and EMMA neighborhoods, where many of their scholars live.Staying within social distancing guidelines, East students and their families were able to see many of their teachers in-person for the first time since the closing of schools in March.

Looking to interact with students outside their computer screens, East staff also promoted the school’s at-home resources and reminded scholars about the importance of completing school assignments. This parade also served as a reminder for the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods that East is a food distribution site.

                         
About the University of Rochester-East EPO Partnership
The University of Rochester, as the Educational Partnership Organization (EPO) for East High School, has assumed full management responsibilities for East, effective July 2015. The new East (http://www.rcsdk12.org/east) consists of a Lower School (grades 6-8) and an Upper School (grades 9-12), and aims to prepare all students for a successful transition into adulthood. A comprehensive community school with a robust set of services to support its diverse students, East offers a strong academic and career preparation program, including a daily advisory program and a full complement of athletic and extra-curricular activities that support and engage students.