Teacher appreciation week (May 4-8) took on a new look this year as schools, students and families celebrated teachers from afar. A journey through school Facebook pages uncovered a great deal of love and gratitude for the educators who continue to teach, review, assess and nurture students through videoconferencing, emails, recorded presentations and phone time.

With videos and photographs, students presented cards, signs, chalk art and other displays of gratitude and affection. Facebook was filled with comments from parents as well, like this one from Saint Joseph Regional Elementary School in Somers Point:
Dear Saint Joseph Regional School Teachers,
Through the years, we have been so blessed by the teachers who have educated, mentored and loved Ava and Luke. … These teachers have genuinely cared for my children and have taken the time to know and understand them. While we are so sad that Ava’s final year has come to an abrupt end, we are forever grateful for the memories she has made there and the foundation she has received that I know will lead her to great things in her life. So thank you, from the bottom of our hearts to all of you for all that you have done and continue to do.
With love and appreciation,
The Fortucci Family
Catholic schools superintendent Dr. Bill Watson took to Facebook in a video as well, expressing admiration and thanks to teachers for their contributions. Acknowledging the dramatic shift required by the closure of school buildings, he said, “I don’t know how we could possibly quantify our gratitude for the teachers at South Jersey Catholic Schools.”
Watson applauded teachers’ extraordinary efforts and added, “Through this unprecedented time of change, our students continue to learn and grow, knowing their education and their teachers are a safe harbor in the storm.”













