Sheila Greenwood, Bement, Illinois

We are asking rural communities to share how COVID-19 is impacting them and how teachers and teacher-leaders are adapting in the face of nationwide school closures. Read below for a great story from Sheila Greenwood of Bement, Illinois (Bement CUSD 5). You can share yours here: bit.ly/iaartcovid

"Our staff has really risen up to the challenge. They are the calm in the middle of the storm and they are keeping kids as their number one priority. We are providing breakfast, lunch and milks for all of the children who need meals over this break. Putting together 800 meals took an army of volunteers and at the center of it was community members and the Bement staff. We are also providing our students with learning opportunities and communicating with them during this time. We are also paying everyone their normal salary plus benefits, so that added stress is gone! We will get through this, we are strong, we are Bement!"