In the two weeks since Harker campuses closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lower school community has been finding many unique ways to make the most out of the remote learning experience.

Michelle Anderson’s kindergarten students celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by creating leprechaun traps, an annual activity usually held at school. “On St. Patrick’s Day we try and catch a leprechaun so they can lead us to their gold,” Anderson said. Undeterred by the closure, students sent in photos of their creations.

Teachers, meanwhile, also have been getting creative while working from home. Art teacher Gerry-louise Robinson cobbled together her setup using such available materials as a laundry basket. Ann Smitherman, grades 4 and 5 language arts teacher, had her sons Cole MS ‘16 and MC ‘16 as well has her husband record videos of themselves reading from picture books for her students. “They’ve figured anything different is good during this time when kids are at home!” said Ann.

Students are also making their work from home more interesting, such as fifth grader Adrian Roufas, who recorded a time-lapse video while creating his latest art piece.