Poughkeepsie City Schools Deal with COVID-19, the Flu, and the Common Cold This Winter
“They were used to being taught in isolation,” said first-grade teacher at Poughkeepsie City School District, Cheryl Haines. Coming up on the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, soon to be named endemic, local school systems are rethinking the health and wellness of their students no matter the students’ age. “My full first-grade class was ’21 and ’22 since COVID,” said Haines, noting the abrupt change from once pre-kindergarteners to instant first-graders. Haines, a teacher for over 20 years, shares her challenge as an educator during the time of the pandemic.
“I can tell you the exact date we closed,” said Haines. “March 13, 2020. I felt like I was in a whirlwind that just kept going.” Haines recollects working with her first-grade team to “rebuild what education would look like.” With education being a hardship on its own, putting together materials, defining what a new curriculum would entail, and learning a new system was only one factor for the teachers involved. However, Haines did it all with an inspiring outlook. “Let’s roll with it,” said Haines. “I am blessed to work with a phenomenal first-grade team.”
Now that the students are back, Haines is relieved and excited to have the students in a routine again. Nevertheless, a storm is always brewing, and during December 2022, the flu and common cold ramped up alongside COVID-19.
However, Haines has a system in place for her students to learn healthy practices that also covers concepts taught in class. “I keep tissue boxes in the classroom like a compass,” said Haines. “North, South, East and West, which encourages them to stay clean and teaches directions.”
Haines first taught her students about germs by showing them how to wash their hands to the alphabet song. It has become a catchy routine, with the children keeping each other in check. “If one of them misses a letter, the other students make sure I know,” said Haines.
When asked how she manages to remain healthy herself, Ms. Haines shared her reliance on vitamins and a healthy diet. “I’m not desensitized by it, I take precautions when a child doesn’t feel well,” said Haines. “You just have to be wise.”
When asked about how the common cold, flu and COVID experience has affected the children’s mental health, Haines shared her involvement in a social-emotional program. She believes wholeheartedly in the overall wellness of her students and in teaching them the proper ways in handling everyday emotions. “I take it as seriously as I would teaching them their ABCs,” said Haines.
The best moments Haines experiences as a teacher are when her students can express their emotions. “It’s when you see that light go on,” said Haines. She proudly shares that the children are very close to one another; when somebody is absent, they work together as a class to support their classmate. “When you see the seed of compassion and concern sprouting, you have to acknowledge it and help it grow,” said Haines.
For a healthier school community in 2023, Haines wishes the parents and teachers would work together. “When we work together, it helps everybody,” said Haines. She encourages parents to keep their children at home when they are sick. Illness is a common problem in the school building, but if the community works together, it is possible to keep both teachers and students in good health to ensure the continuance of in-person learning.
