MONTICELLO — Since schools have been closed to help stop the spread of the Corona Disease 2019 (COVID-19), many students, along with their parents, have been adjusting to life at home.

The Monticello Central School District (MCSD) wanted to spread some cheer to those students who are staying safe at home, from a distance.

The district is closed until April 15 and has already moved forward with having their instruction done online.

In a letter to the parents from Acting Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William Silver, he said they are not sure what will happen after April 15, but they are preparing for long-term distance learning.

In the meantime, teachers and staff gathered safely last Friday at the Emma C. Chase Elementary School in Wurtsboro, where close to 100 cars lined the streets.

Many of the cars had balloons and signs which read, “We miss you” or “Panthers Rock.”

After leaving the elementary school, the caravan made its way through the heart of Wurtsboro before heading to State Route 209 and the rest of the district.

Parents, along with their children, came out of their homes, many with signs, to watch the cavern.

Claire Humbert, a first-grade teacher at George Cooke Elementary, said she had tears in her eyes when she saw the parents' support.

“I've laid up at night thinking about them and how this disease has changed their academics and lives in so many ways,” said Humbert.

From a distance, MCSD visited their students. From a distance, the students waved and cheered on their teachers and school staff.

After leaving Wurtsboro, the caravan made its way through the school district, to Rock Hill and the surrounding areas before making its way to Monticello and ending in Bethel by Smallwood and Sackett Lake.

Monticello High School Guidance Counselor Sheryl Manz said, “I think the parade was a way for the MCSD staff members to show our students and their families how much we love and miss them. Seeing their sweet faces, and the signs that many of them made was very moving for everyone. It served as a reminder that we are all connected; we are all part of the Monticello Central School District.”

Manz, who was one of the organizers, said the parade could not happen without the MCSD transportation department and the efforts of their dispatcher Christine Cortright, who put together the four-hour route the caravan followed.

Moreover, The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office helped direct traffic, and MCSD's School Resource Officer Rose Ionta, led the parade.

Manz also said, “We were honored and fortunate to have participation from the Rock Hill, White Lake, and Smallwood-Mongaup Fire Departments. We are very grateful to all of these folks who donated their time to support this effort.”