Families across York and North Yorkshire are doing their best to make the most of being stuck at home for the forseable future.
With many parents having to work from home and children expected to be more self-sufficient, with both their learning and play, we look at what people are doing to keep busy and entertained.
Fitness
Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, has been unofficially crowned 'the Dame Vera Lynn' of the coronavirus crisis by some as the fitness coach hosts live online PE lessons at 9am every weekday on Youtube.
😀 PE WITH JOE starting Monday morning at 9am on my YOUTUBE channel: The Body Coach TV 📺 Please please share this with as many people as you can ❤️ Our kids need this more than ever. Share it on your stories, your wall, your Twitter, whatsapp and school newsletters ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ioFGeFRpuK
— The Body Coach (@thebodycoach) March 19, 2020
The Archbishop of York Youth Trust has offered a series of online resources for parents and teachers.
We’re offering a hub of online resources #YLAathome that are FREE to download for parents/carers and teachers. Whether you’re #homeschooling, or in school with a few pupils, view and download our resources for free 👇👇👇 https://t.co/alBKoYow7V #freeresources
— The Archbishop of York Youth Trust (@ABYyouthtrust) March 26, 2020
Children around the city have been indulging their creative streaks and creating rainbows to put in their windows as a sign of calm after the storm and a symbol of hope.
There are lots of rainbows in windows at the minute, a sign of calm after the storm and spreading happiness. See if you can paint one and display it in a window of your house. Also, check out daily videos from @ArtforKidsHub while you're being arty! #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/AAdlZt8gSn
— Foxes @ Burton Green Primary (@BG_Foxes) March 26, 2020
Children attending Carr Junior School in Acomb have joined the fun, using chalk to create their own giant rainbow on the school playground.
STEM
Hempland Primary Academy teacher Gareth Dyer has set a STEM challenge, via Twitter, to design the best paper aeroplane - with the aim to get the longest flight.
OK, first challenge, STEMmers. Design and make the best paper aeroplane. No rules here. Just video evidence of flight. You have until Wednesday. Longest flight wins. Bonus points for creativity and ingenuity of design. Adults are definitely allowed to help. @HemplandPrimary
— Mr Dyer (@HemplandSTEM) March 20, 2020
Numerous pupils have taken up the task and shared videos of their efforts in their homes and gardens, or in the school playground.
We made paper planes today and took them onto the playground to test them out. We then measured the distance using metre sticks. Here is plane 1. @HemplandSTEM @HemplandPrimary pic.twitter.com/ySTdIsSCta
— Hempland Early Years (@EYFSHempland) March 25, 2020
His efforts have won thanks and praise from pupils and parents alike.
Thank you for your passion & commitment, as ever, to teaching. Means a lot in these troubled time. And, please stay well & safe, & do not hesitate to let me know if you require any help at all.
— Sanjoy Bhattacharya (@JoyAgnost) March 20, 2020
Meanwhile another parent posted his response to the challenge...
I've just dug out my childhood copy, 1991 edition... pic.twitter.com/qjDxL80lxC
— Tom Bradbury (@pipsmithe) March 22, 2020
It went on to become an inter-school competition, with other members of the MAT Pathfinder Trust getting on board.
We have been challenged by @HemplandSTEM and @HemplandPrimary and it’s a STEM challenge, Design and make the best paper aeroplane. No rules here. Just video evidence of flight. #Science. Let’s have some fun!!
— Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School (@cwr_school) March 23, 2020
While the prospect of home-schooling may have been daunting for many, Mrs Gibson, head teacher of Knavesmire Primary School, had this message for parents:
Yesterday Mrs Gibson, Head of School at @KPSFeed, shared the below message with @KPS_Friends. I thought it was so lovely that (with permission) I would share it here too for all parents/carers looking after children at home. ❤️@bishyroadnet @YorkEducation @theyorkmix @yorkpress pic.twitter.com/3lATMcREaY
— Cllr Jonny Crawshaw (@JonnyPolitics) March 26, 2020
Anyone with time on their hands, could turn their attention to nominating their unsung hero in The Press Community Pride Awards.
The awards, run in partnership with City of York Council and the main sponsor York-based Benenden Health, celebrate the dedicated fundraisers, public sector workers, teachers and community volunteers throughout the city. At times like these, there are many people who deserve recognition.
People have also been showing their appreciation of key workers - including these children and staff at Osbaldwick Primary School
Giving a huge clap to the NHS, from this bunch of frontline workers to others! #AllInThisTogether #NHSheroes @eboractrust @yorkpress @RachaelMaskell pic.twitter.com/r9HcZHNlFC
— Osbaldwick Primary (@Osbaldwick_Prim) March 26, 2020
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