The administration, teachers and staff at Forest Hills Elementary School joined last week for a staff caravan that allowed for social distancing, yet made a huge impact on their students and the community. For the culminating activity during virtual spirit week, Principal Wilsey Hamilton organized the approximate 40-vehicle caravan which traveled throughout the neighborhoods of Forest Hills Elementary students.
“We were looking for ways to engage our students during this unprecedented time, so we decided to do a virtual spirit week,” said Wilsey. “This allowed parents to send us pictures of our Cougar Cubs throughout the week so we could see our students. Since Friday March 27 was ‘Show Your School Spirit Day,’ we decided to do a staff caravan. I contacted our school resource officer and the director of routes for CCSD’s transportation department to make them aware of the vision. They both jumped in to do what they could to help us execute the caravan in a safe and timely manner.
“We published our abbreviated route and asked our families to have their children at one of the locations listed,” said Wilsey. “When we lined up on the bus ramp of Forest Hills Elementary School, we all were overwhelmed with emotions as we taped signs and balloons to our vehicles. We were met throughout town with lots of smiles, waves, signs that read ‘we love our teachers’ — and some tears from staff, students, and parents.
“This endeavor was by far one of the most rewarding things I’ve done as an educator,” said Wilsey. “The energy throughout the town of Walterboro was extremely vibrant and supportive. The entire staff of FHE has demonstrated true collaboration throughout this entire ordeal so far. I’m elated to lead such an elite and compassionate group of educators.”
Forest Hills teacher, Melanie Ritter, called the experience awesome and memorable.
“We wanted to see our students and this was the perfect way to connect with them while following social distancing,” said Ritter, who brought along a cow bell on the caravan. “They were so excited to see us and many of them were jumping up and down and screaming our names.
“Many of the parents and students had made signs for us, which was very cool and made us feel appreciated and loved. We just wished we could have given them a hug. We saw a good many residents working outside in their yards or just enjoying the outdoors so hopefully, we also brightened their day.”
