Staff parades through Lind, Hatton and Cunningham

LIND – Most of the Lind Elementary School staff, along with Ritzville staff and Lind Fire District volunteers turned out for a parade through Lind, Cunningham and Hatton on Wednesday, April 28.

Lind Principal Darrell Lembcke estimated there were 30 participants.

"It was a lot of fun, I think, for both staff members and kids. I think it raised spirits of both school and community members," Lembcke said, adding that was the universal feedback he got from everyone.

"It was also fun going to Hatton, getting the chance to have a presence there and show the parents there they are still part of our Lind community."

In Cunningham, one car waited for the parade to roll by.

"It was good seeing the people in Cunningham, too," Lembcke said.

A good showing of students and parents waited patiently outside the Hatton Town Hall. Their wait was worthwhile, with the parade making a few circles, passing out candy and even schoolwork for at least one student.

"They have their Chromebooks and Ms. (Shauna) Sanger is good about keeping contact," Tanya Mullins said about her son Michael's second-grade teacher. "It's a pretty good system while they're out." Mullins serves as a substitute teacher for Lind Elementary, along with her daughter, Erin Ferguson.

Mullins said her daughter, Klover, will miss the eighth-grade promotion.

"On Facebook, we have an adopt-a-senior program. We have two, and some people have more. Other school districts have joined in, too," Mullins said. ""It's just a program to send them little gifts and notes to encourage them while they are going through all this, with not having commencement or anything."

Michael Mullins said he "kind of missed school, yes and no."

Gina Smith of Lind said she missed her fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Terris.

"I miss Miss Sanger and Mrs. Saetre and Mrs. Anderson," Jonathan Nolan said.

"That was so fun. That was the best parade ever," Smith said.