Greetings, while I newly retired from working as a Jr.K Instructor for 17 years, than as Classroom Paraprofessional for Primary students in K-4th for another 17 years all on the island of St.Thomas, USVirgin Islands, I am painfully aware that there are so many children on island with parents who have been continuously working all through this pandemic, either as medical or public safety personnel, or in the grocery stores, pharmacies and other necessary businesses which were considered Essential. As a Volunteer Recess Cubs Organizer for our local public schools, all of my voluntary activities were cancelled from March 12,2020 and remain so. Our schools reverted to Virtual Studies that next Monday. That means, our islands students ,many without siblings, were forced into a lengthy time of playing alone, many without even owning
Electronic devices. So , feeling that the stress and pressures of not playing with friends would get to them, I made several videos in which I would demonstrate EZ art projects that combine Art,Science and Play. For those without tablets, I allowed them and their parents to call me for suggestions. Also, as an occasional guest speaker on local radio, I used that medium to inform families of how to use recyclable materials around the home to be converted into either pieces of art or toys and games. Nothing really takes the place of being at school, in class and playing games with schoolmates. But at least, my suggestions let’s them know that they are not alone and that I care about them. And it keeps me from feeling lonely too. I have no children, and just like schools are closed, so are camps. We’re living in a Virtual World down here. So in between, writing stories and poems, sewing, designing costumes and accessories, doing numerous Arts & Crafts, building with my blocks, and attending a whole series of webinars and Zoom conferences, I still take time out to actually share my art ideas on Facebook, then send students the supplies to “Create Something Beautiful That Makes You Feel Happy”!
Every little bit of playtime helps them to have fun!
JoAnne Matthews-Sanders
St.Thomas,USVI
Sent from my iPad