Being a student in 2020 during a worldwide pandemic means venturing into uncharted territory of virtual learning and isolation. Students have left the classroom for laptop screens and Google hangouts in their living rooms.

Pine Grove Elementary School (PGE) students are joining in virtual learning by completing sessions in online math and language arts programs, meeting with teachers and classmates in Google meets and completing choice board activities through email. Students are showing understanding of math concepts using objects found at home and sending pictures to their teachers.

Former PGE students Carter Mae Ellington and Maeson Epley are wading through the uncharted waters too, while overseas in the United Kingdom. As students in a DODEA (Department Of Defense Education Activity) school Carter Mae and Maeson must follow guidelines set by the host country.

Quarantine in the UK means social distancing of no more than two people outside your family. Families can only send one member out for essential items such as food and medicine. While these guidelines are recommended in Valdosta, residents in the UK face fines of up to $1,071 if caught traveling for any reason besides essentials.

PGE students are enjoying beautiful weather as they complete sidewalk art projects in their driveways from art choice boards. Students are sending in pictures of their at home workouts for school webpages and riding bikes around the neighborhood as much as possible. Students in the UK can only go out for exercise once a day and must stay close to home. Tiny gardens are not the best place for playing soccer and Carter Mae and Maeson.