GOING BANANAS Diana Fredenburg waves to students from behind the wheel of her monkey-mobile during a parade down Livingston Manor’s Main Street as LMCS teachers showed their appreciation and affection for their students after a truncated school year. Carolyn Bivins photo
Teachers to students: Miss you!
LMCS faculty and staff hold surprise parade for their kids
By Emily Ball and Edward Lundquist | Manor Ink
Livingston Manor, NY – The Livingston Manor Teachers’ Association organized a parade held on Friday evening, June 26, to show students that all the faculty, staff and administration have been missing them. Barbara Smith, a first grade teacher and member of the LMTA, organized Livingston Manor and Beaverkill Fire Department volunteers, along with the Ambulance Corps, to join the caravan of vehicles and floats.
“We haven’t seen the kids since March. We miss them and their families and want to show them we miss them and care about them,” said Smith. She encouraged students and families to come out to see the parade, with social distancing, of course.
WILD YEAR LMCS Band Director Dan Smith drums up support for his students. Edward Lundquist photo
And the turnout was good, however widespread.
Erin Carlson, a student going into her senior year, and her pet pigeon, Newt, said, “It was epic. I’m glad the teachers did this, as it really shows they care.” They definitely demonstrated their affection toward the students, decorating their cars with balloons, window paint and streamers.
Younger kids showed up, too, like Kylie Davis, going into second grade, and her brother, Jacob, going into fourth. They enjoyed the show and the candy thrown to them. They both agreed it was “good,” and made them “happy.”
Another high school student said, “It was a phenomenal and well-deserved show of respect from some of the most incredible teachers out there.”
The parade started and ended at the school parking lot, making a full circle down Main Street, through the “teachers’ flats” and back around Rock Ave., up past the Catskill Brewery and back to the school on Arts Blvd.
Below is a video by LMCS supporter Carolyn Bivins.