As people are encouraged to stay home and schools and local business close their doors, many people are finding new, safer alternatives to continue doing what they love. For example, while local zoos and other family-friendly locations have closed their doors to in-person visits, experts have moved online to share about the animals they care for with online visitors of all ages. You and the animal lovers at home can enjoy watching local experts from the Akron Zoo get up close and personal with zoo animals and answer viewer questions during free lunch and learn videos. And zookeepers at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo provide insight through their virtual classroom series.
For a change of scenery, your future astronauts may enjoy learning basic science concepts or listening as scientist on the International Space Station read stories aloud… from space. The site features videos made by astronauts aboard the Space Station about basic science concepts and offers a full library of stories being read aloud, including ‘Rosie Revere Engineer” and ‘The Wizard Who Saved the World.’ Visit storytimefromspace.com for more information.
Closer to home, local parks have cancelled programming, but are encouraging residents to come out to enjoy their paths and trails. According to information on the Portage Park District website, parks and trails remain open to encourage the public to enjoy nature and support physical and mental health. They do advise visitors to maintain the prescribed six-feet of social distance from others, and ask that those who don’t feel well to please stay home.
If you’re unable or don’t want to leave home, but still want to get in a good workout, your local gym or facility may have posted classes online. Local fitness coach Angela Walstad, who operates Hiit Squad Fitness in Garrettsville, has created and posted a series of workouts for members to try at home. “At times like these, it’s important to focus on moving our bodies,” Walstad shared. “Not only for physical health, but also our mental health.” To access her free videos, visit Hiit Squad Fitness on Facebook (yes, with two I’s in Hiit), search under her name on Youtube, or contact her with questions at (330) 977-1876.
Other local folks have moved online to share their special skills, as well. At Crestwood Schools, primary students (or former students) can log on to their parents’ Facebook page (with permission) to check out CPS teacher Mrs. Gilles’ page for videos entitled ‘Gathering with Gilles.’ This special series is where the upbeat music teacher shares music lessons on videos. In a recent lesson she shot at a local park, Gilles can be seen running, jumping over a stream, and singing at the park, encouraging activity while teaching viewers a simple song. While the lesson about music tempo is something she’d share in her classroom, the video shows her silly side, as well as her gift of engaging learners of all ages. She even provides a quick way to create a simple musical instrument from items you probably have at home: a plastic Easter egg and some beads or rice. Other videos feature clips of ‘surprise guests’ — other CPS teachers, reading stories aloud for students.
And older kids deserve some extra attention, as well. James A. Garfield High School teacher Doug Engelhart has set out to help his students maintain some semblance of normalcy during these temperamental times. At a regularly scheduled time each school day, his pre-calculus class meets via Zoom. During these regularly scheduled lessons, Engelhart shares his mad math skills, for certain, helping his students continue learning during this unforeseen break from regular school. But more importantly, the social interaction provides his students with a needed social outlet, and provides them with one more adult who cares for them and shows up each day, helping them cope with this new normal.
And both the Crestwood and J. A. Garfield communities are blessed that both schools have worked to ensure that kids who rely on receiving breakfast and lunch at school will not go hungry. Together with local food pantries, a score of volunteers assemble bags on food, which are distributed quickly, efficiently, and safely to families in need in both communities.
