BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As we enter the third week of self-isolating and working at home because of the coronavirus, students, staff and parents are living through a strange reality.
With schools closed until at least April 20, the staff at West Seneca West High School is coming together with a simple message for students: we miss you.
"We're all strong enough to get through this and I know you're going to be the next generation to make things amazing for us," said Justin DiLoro, an English teacher at West Seneca West.
He's one of more than 50 staffers who sent a video message to Kate DiPasquale, the school social worker.
DiPasquale put this entire YouTube video together and says this was a great way to reinforce the essence of community, showing West students how much they care.
"For me, it was really emotional putting it together. I know how much our staff love our students," DiPasquale said.
DiPasquale herself is a mother. As a social worker has some advice. Show your kids we're all struggling with when things are going to get back to normal. She says it's important we listen and validate.
"I think when our kids look back on this time, what they're going to remember of it is what it was like at home and what they felt," DiPasquale said. "I think it's important to keep that in mind and for us to do that for them."
That was part of the reason creating this video was important for DiPasquale, showing even though they're not together, they still feel a connection while at home.
