Greece Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Graupman issued a  video challenge  for the entire Greece community to share the unique ways they are staying connected and being kind even though we can't be together right now. Dozens of people accepted the challenge and shared videos and social media posts showing how they are connecting with their Greece school family and remaining positive. Videos and photos continue to be shared via email and social media. Superintendent Graupman shares some of her favorites in her weekly update to staff and families.

March 15th, 2020 should have been just another day.  Instead, it was a day of shock and a day of anguish. What exactly did a shutdown mean? How would we continue to teach our students, our children, at home? Now, here we are weeks in, and I could not be prouder to be part of The Dyker Family, a title we have always used when referring to our staff. We were able to contact students about their academics, but we noticed we were missing a key piece of emotional connectivity. Human interaction is what we miss most. What better way to do that than with a Dyker Staff Spirit Day Video? The Dyker Family more than happily obliged. Each picture and message sent from the staff displays the care and love that we have for our students.  What started as a simple "We miss you!" video has spiraled into a weekly spirit day, each with a different theme.

If a health care worker puts on a face shield inscribed with the words "Heroes wear scrubs, not capes," it might have been designed by a Byron-Bergen 5th or 6th grader. STEAM Lab Teacher Craig Schroth recently dropped off 100 face shields designed and donated by students to Face Shields ROC, an organization collecting face shields to distribute to medical facilities and first responders in the Rochester area.

Before Byron-Bergen Elementary School closed its doors in March, Schroth was granted permission to move the District's three 3-D printers to his home to avoid a backlog of printing student work when school recommenced. Three weeks later, he proposed a new project to his students.

"Many health care workers are short on personal protective equipment at hospitals and health care facilities," said Schroth. "One thing that people are doing to help is using 3-D printers to print face shields. I wanted to give our students an opportunity to get involved with this project." 

Schroth invited students to add a positive message to the basic face shield design. Using the skills they gained while designing keychains and jack-o-lanterns in class, and guidance from Schroth via email, students worked on their designs from their homes. They submitted their finished files electronically and Schroth printed them on the 3-D printers now in his basement. 

Fifth grade student Rena Wilson has submitted 55 designs with a goal of designing 100. "I was glad to have the chance to thank these health workers by giving them a nice message that would brighten their day."

"I'm very proud of our students for their enthusiasm in this project," said Byron-Bergen Elementary Principal Brian Meister. "Mr. Schroth has shown amazing initiative in not only stepping up to produce needed resources for the medical community but creating a meaningful experience for his students. They will not forget this. Neither will the recipients of these unique face shields."

As more designs are submitted, Schroth will continue to print and deliver the face shields on behalf of his students.