It was a convoy made up at different times of 75 vehicles, 154 staff members and their families, 7 fire trucks, 1 bus, and 12 pets. Last Wednesday, this trail of cars worked its way throughout the county as teachers and staff from the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows district put on a parade to visit their students.
Teacher parades, and parades of all kinds, have become increasingly popular in the last few weeks as people strive for closeness in the midst of social distancing. Elementary Principal Tricia Rosendahl explained she and Dwight Tew planned the C-G-D teacher parade. “He and I worked to find a route through each community that would go by as many student homes as possible. When the first post went out on Facebook, the Likes and Shares started rolling in. In just a little over a day on the Elementary Facebook page alone we had reached over 6,520 people and had 78 shares.”
The parade that took place last Wednesday started in Dows, made its way to Goldfield and then finished up in Clarion. In each town, fire trucks from the local departments joined the caravan. Students, families and community members came out to wave to the teachers. Both the school staffs and the on-lookers got in the spirit of the event. Teachers and staff decked out their vehicles with balloons, streamers and signs. Students were encouraged to decorate signs as well with fun messages.
Rosendahl was beyond pleased with how the parade went over. She said, “I think this event was important because our focus at CGD has always been about relationships. Staff work hard to build relationships with all students and now that we haven’t been together for so long it was getting very difficult to keep a positive outlook. It was heartwarming to see all the students, families, and community members out sharing a wave, a hello, or a message on a sign. It did all of us good.”
High School Principal Sheila Hudson echoed that sentiment. “The parade was one way we could connect with each other to share a smile, a wave and a message that we miss you and we can't wait to be together again” she said. “It was important for staff to celebrate who we are as a district and lift up our students, families and community in a time of uncertainty. This was more than a parade, it was the spirit and passion of the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows district, staff and families.”
