As Hoosiers prepared to “hunker down” as Governor Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order was issued, some teachers in east central Indiana decided to see young students in-person one more time, from a safe distance.  As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, they organized a teacher parade.

Claire Evans, like many students, is learning at home online. (Photo: Mandi Evans on Facebook)

“Get your sign, Claire.  Say ‘Hi guys!’”

In Yorktown on Tuesday, first grader Claire Evans stands at the end of her driveway.  Her grandmother holds up a hand-crafted sign and her mom films a video as Pleasant View Elementary teachers drive by, led by a police escort.  There’s honking, signs taped to cars, and even a cowbell.

“Hi Mrs. Ray!”

Yorktown parents on Facebook say their kids loved seeing the teachers drive by, even though some kids were “too cool” to wave back.

Claire’s mom, Mandi, says when she’s not doing schoolwork, Claire is “reading aloud every Curious George story ever written.”  Claire wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

By state order, all Indiana schools are closed through May 1.  Most students are learning online.  Pleasant View Elementary teachers are also recording a series of videos where each reads a book to their students.