Riverdale Elementary rises by lifting others
Published 12:26 am Saturday, April 11, 2020
- Charlie Cardinal of Riverdale Elementary School is flanked at a safe distance by co-principals Kisha Watford, left, and Tamee Railey. -- Submitted
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Riverdale Elementary School students Colton Story, Amelia Story and Ashton Story display their love for their teachers during the Riverdale Ride-Thru on Friday of last week. — Submitted
Charlie Cardinal, teachers go on parade for students
COURTLAND
Who would have ever thought we would arrive at the days where schools would close down and everything around us would come to a near stop? A time where we’d be at the start of a five-month miss of our students instead of the summer!
That’s where we are, but the teachers and staff of Riverdale Elementary School decided to come together on Friday to ride through some of the neighborhoods to lift students while being out of school. Other students would drive to nearby streets and communities with signs to catch us as we drove through, it was such a wonderful experience for all. There were 40-plus vehicles and two Southampton County Sheriff’s Deputies/Resource Officers to lead us on our venture.
“Our hearts were overjoyed to see so many of our students, we went out to rise by lifting them, but in turn they rose to lift us,” said Co-Principal Kisha Watford.
Co-Principal Tamee Railey stated, “The ride was simply amazing! It was a true example of the school’s motto, We rise by lifting others. The experience was the BEST! Best staff, best students, best parents, best community and best school resource officers!”
Riverdale Elementary School students Colton Story, Amelia Story and Ashton Story display their love for their teachers during the Riverdale Ride-Thru on Friday of last week. — Submitted
“Today we sat at the end of our driveway for a parade! The teachers and staff of Riverdale Elementary did a drive-by so they could see the students. The cars were decorated with writings and posters. This was such a fun experience. Thank you so much for lifting our spirits,” said parent Shannon Beltrami. “Shouting out to Riverdale Elementary School for riding around the trailer park blowing their horns to get the children out to let them know that they are missing them, they have the Cardinal and the teachers. They are coming through showing some love, they are not letting the coronavirus get them down, they care!” said former Riverdale parent Veronica Garris.
Several teachers, staff members and parents felt like this was something that should be done at least once a month. In closing, Resource Officer Rose shared that he couldn’t stop the occasional tears throughout the tour and that he enjoyed the day. We miss our students and hope they know how much the staff cares.
