It has been months since Cherrington Elementary Principal Andy Heck has seen fifth-grader Shu’ayb Roble, his brothers and his parents.
When he learned that Roble, who attends Westerville Virtual Academy with his brothers this year, had a birthday Tuesday, Heck was excited about the opportunity to reconnect.
Since the school year started, Heck has found spare moments on his way to school, on his route home, during lunch to visit Cherrington students — including those enrolled in WVA — for a face-to-face birthday greeting, photo and birthday pencil.
Once the school settled in after students’ arrival Tuesday morning, Heck drove to Roble’s home in the Blendon Woods neighborhood. As he approached the front door, Roble’s brothers lined up alongside the window, waving at him. Roble opened the door with his face mask on and his four brothers and mother behind him to greet their principal.
“Shu’ayb!” Heck said. “Happy birthday!”
Heck congratulated the birthday boy, asking how he felt about turning 11. He waved to his brothers and Roble’s mother, thanking her for the opportunity to visit and deliver a birthday pencil.
“How are you guys?” he said to the family. “I’m so happy to see you. I miss you guys completely. But hey, I’m so glad I got to see you today.”
Heck was inspired to do birthday home visits after watching Cherrington teachers deliver Chromebooks, food, supplies and other items families needed in the spring when schools abruptly shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They were doing it on their own,” he said. “It was incredible. So I thought, this fall, I’m going to follow their lead.”
Teachers have continued to connect with families away from school since classes resumed in August. The school’s English Language teacher, Tina Shirey, for instance, makes home visits once or twice a week with families whose first language is not English, providing additional support and helping them navigate through online learning tools.
The birthday visits, Heck said, are an extension of their efforts.
For Lauren Jones, Heck’s unexpected visit last month meant so much to her and her daughters, Ruby and Hattie — both of whom attend WVA this year.
“Being in the WVA can make you feel disconnected from the school you used to visit so often,” she said. “But there was Mr. Heck listening to my kids go on and on about the books they’re reading and their Daisy troop badges. It was a moment of normalcy in the most extraordinary way.”
These visits and the opportunity to check in with his students also mean something to Heck.
“A lot of times these kids haven’t had a lot of interaction except for their families,” he said. “Seeing these kids and connecting with them, it gives my whole day purpose.”