Among the many people impacted by the COVID pandemic, one of the biggest life changes has been felt by young students who have been attending classes virtually for more than 12 months. Although local school districts remained open for the 2020-2021 year, hundreds of families chose to keep their kids as virtual learners this year.

That situation can be tough for the youngest students, said second grade teacher Laura Schmidt. She’s been teaching a combined class of kids from Rebecca Boone and Warrior Ridge elementaries through what they hope is their first and last virtual-only school year.

“They’ve all been great sports though,” said Schmidt. “In the very the beginning of the school year it was tough, because it was all new.”

To help celebrate a successful end of the year, Schmidt wanted to find a way for her students to be able to be together, even if for a short time. So for the last two months, she’s been inviting students and their families to a “Lunch on the Lawn” on Fridays in front of Rebecca Boone Elementary in Truesdale. Every week until the end of the year, they’re meeting in small groups in front of the school to have lunch together and play.

“It just gives us a chance to see each other in ‘real life.’ It gives the kids a chance to congregate other than at home,” Schmidt commented. “Socialization is huge. Even though we’re on screens and we can see each other, it’s not the same as when they can be together.

“It’s funny, sometimes when I see the kids in person, I think ‘Oh, they’re a little taller in person,’” she added with a laugh.

Boston, a second grader who would normally attend Warrior Ridge, said he liked coming to the lunch for the first time on May 7. He brought a salami sandwich with cheese and mayo that he enjoyed  while he, four classmates and their families sat on picnic blankets on the lawn in front of the school.

“I’m more used to regular school. This was really new to me,” Boston said of virtual education.

A few feet away, classmate Josie snacked on some cranberries while explaining that she has attended every lunch on the lawn. Her favorite part is “the part after lunch where we all run around and play,” Josie said. Freeze tag is the game she’d like to play most if she could see her friends more often.

It doesn’t take long before that call to play draws the kids away from the picnic area each week. They and their teacher hope that once the school year ends and they return in the fall, being together like this will be the norm, rather than a weekly treat.