Mooseheart teachers parade brings smiles to students
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Messiah Martin, 4, can't contain his smile as he waves during the teacher parade Tuesday at Mooseheart Child City and School near Batavia. Because the students live together in family homes on campus, they aren't required to wear masks. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
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Students cheer and wave during Tuesday's teacher parade as part of National Teacher Day at Mooseheart Child City and School near Batavia. Because the students live together in family homes on campus, they aren't required to wear masks. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
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Teacher's honk and wave as they parade past students lining the sidewalk Tuesday at Mooseheart Child City and School near Batavia. The event was part of National Teacher Day. Because the students live together in family homes on campus, they aren't required to wear masks. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
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Pre-kindergarten teacher Carol Klinger decorates her car for the teacher parade Tuesday at Mooseheart. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
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Cloe Abraham, 5, jumps up and down as she cheers for the teacher parade, part of Nation Teachers Day Tuesday at Mooseheart Child City and School near Batavia. Because the students live together in family homes on campus, they aren't required to wear masks. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
The weather couldn't dampen the smiles many students wore Tuesday during the special drive-by teacher parade at Mooseheart Child City and School.
The parade was part of the National Teachers Day celebration at the school, and teachers decorated their vehicles with balloons, signs and streamers. They honked horns and waved as they passed the assembled students.
Cloe Abraham, 5, was so excited she jumped up and down when she saw her teacher.
The teachers have not been on-campus since mid-March, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all learning in the state to be done remotely.
Mooseheart's student body, normally around 200 children, lives on the campus near Batavia. Fifty students have been given permission by parents or guardians to stay there through the pandemic.
"The students live in family homes of 10 or less, and, other than their family teachers, they don't have contact with people who don't wear masks," Mooseheart spokesman Darryl Mellema said.
After two months away from campus, Mooseheart's teachers returned for Tuesday's parade to see the students lining the sidewalk.
"What a great event for our teachers to be able to see the kids smiling and for them to be able to reciprocate by beeping their horns and waving. What a healthy thing that is in this time. We were able to say that even though we're not seeing them each day any more, we're still thinking and caring about them," Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler said.
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