#GCgoesGreen

Garland County schools support health care workers

Garland County school districts have partnered together to trade in their school colors for a day to “go green” to support health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The schools are asking students, staff members and the community to wear green Friday and post pictures on social media using the hashtag #GCgoesGreen to show their support.

“We are very excited to partner with all of the school districts in Garland County to show our support for the health care workers and first responders as they battle the spread of COVID-19 on the front lines,” Brian Bridges, Lake Hamilton School District communications and public relations coordinator, said.

Nancy Anderson, Cutter Morning Star School District superintendent, said that the schools are trying to recognize and honor health care workers

and first responders to let them know that the school districts appreciate all the hard work and service that they have provided to the schools, the community and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We just want them to know how appreciative we are,” she said.

Anderson said that the color green to her means renewed faith in humanity.

“I know it’s very calming. The health care workers are the calming force in our community, providing care for us.”

“I want (the health care providers) to know how much we appreciate them and the sacrifices that they’re making and taking time away from their families. We want them to know how much we appreciate them,” said Melissa Speers, Jessieville School District superintendent.

Dana Janush, Mountain Pine School District director of federal programs and public relations, said that a health care provider is someone who assists in the health care industry.

“We immediately think of doctors and nurses, but of course, a lot of our people on the front lines are driving the ambulances and are our Certified Nursing Assistants,” Janush said.

The CNAs are the ones who are assisting a lot of the parents and family members who are in nursing homes. They are an essential part of the community, she said. “I don’t think we say thank you enough.”

Janush said that it is inspirational to see the health care providers on the front lines of this pandemic risking their lives.

“You would like to do more on your own. To see them out there every day, makes us realize that it is truly a calling. In their own way, they are serving as soldiers out there kind of fighting an unseen epidemic,” she said.

“I would like to say to the health care providers if I could face to face, thank you for being so brave and selfless. Thank you for taking care of us,” Janush said.

“Health care workers and first responders do not have the option to work from home or to practice social distancing in all aspects of their job. So, while they’re taking care of our community, the least we could do is to show our appreciation to them,” Bridges said.