Todd fourth grader teacher Shelly Graham is retiring this year so we caught up with her to find out about her most memorable moments and how she plans to stay (very) busy during retirement.

Now more than ever we are seeing the effects of social distancing in our world: there is less air pollution, the animals are out and about in many places and there is less food waste since more people are eating at home. Students in Dorene Tomaskovic’s first grade class have recently been learning about the three R’s and many created Earth Day-related projects at home.

Todd Elementary School students participated in a virtual Maker Day and selected from a variety of fun challenges while stretching their imaginations and channeling their inner inventor.

This year, Todd Elementary third grade teacher Abbey Siegel will be retiring. We spoke with her about her most memorable moments at Todd, one of which was a special Mother’s Day celebration. In honor of Mother’s Day, here is Ms. Siegel’s Q&A:

On Wednesday Todd Elementary School students had the chance to get a glimpse of their teachers and school staff as they passed by Briarcliff in their cars and to also show their appreciation with signs, smiles and waves. For the staff at Todd the feeling was mutual.

Fourth grade teacher Christina Hurley has a beach themed environment in her classroom, with blue sky and clouds coverings on the ceiling, relaxing music in the background and a live streaming of a beach with crashing waves on the smartboard. As a big proponent of calming techniques and brain breaks, she has found ways to incorporate the mindful moments during this period of virtual learning.