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COMMUNITY
TheMesaTribune.com |
THE MESA TRIBUNE | AUGUST 30, 2020
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Supporters give Mesa schools ‘heart attacks’ BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Staff Writer
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Mesa mother last week brought the community together to show appreciation for teachers, administrators and board members amid the struggles in the pandemic by launching a series of “heart attacks” at schools and a district of�ice building. But these “heart attacks” didn’t require paramedics. They comprised hundreds of paper hearts with messages of support that were taped around the entranceways of various schools. Jenn Greer, whose son attends Marjorie Entz Elementary School, took to social media to drum up volunteers for the “heart attacking.” She wanted students and parents at their respective schools to show their appreciation for the work teachers have done to help students during Mesa Public Schools’ �irst few weeks of remote learning. The initiative quickly gained traction on social media over the weekend, with several hundred families taking part at
Children and parents festooned a number of Mesa schools last week to support teacherds and the Governing Board amid the ongoing war of words between supporters and opponents of reopening campuses. The “heart attacks” were organized by Jenifer Greer, in the photo on the right, who is flanked by daughter Tessa, 12, and son Conner, 9. In the photo on the left, Lillian Mead, 12, writes messages to teachers at the same district building at 549 N. Stapley Road. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
several district schools. The initiative drew praise from Governing Board President Elaine Miner, who told the Tribune she was heartened by the effort on two levels: the show of support for teachers and staff and the attempt to bring some unity to the district after weeks of sometimes heated debate between supporters and opponents of reopening campuses. On Aug. 24, Greer and others gathered at the district of�ice to show their ap-
preciation for district of�icials and the Governing Board for their many hours of work on plans for reopening campuses once state and county health benchmarks favor it. “I have my own opinion on the situation,” Greer said, “but I wanted to invite the community to make hearts to show our appreciation and support for the district. We want to show them we miss them.” Greer said she doesn’t let her own
opinions cloud her judgement about the district’s efforts. Her “heart attacking” was inspired by Miner’s closing remarks at an Aug. 19 board meeting that called attention to the community divide over reopening and some of the harsh comments made on social media about teachers, administrators and board members. “What I have seen happen in the last
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Photographer’s Button Project spreads smiles BY STACI HAUK Tribune Contributor
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chool picture day is often synonymous with Grand Photography – a family- and veteran-owned studio in Gilbert. Gail Roser specializes in spreading smiles from her studio and when the pandemic hit home, she decided it was time to give back. She started the Button Project , donating 100 buttons to East Valley healthcare workers that had a photo of their face on them so that people could see who was behind their facemasks. Roser said the goal was to make sure everyone can see a smile even though it’s behind a mask. She made it simple; email her a photo that she printed in-house and then crafted the but-
tons from her studio. The feedback has been so astounding that Roser is now offering buttons to anyone in need – from teachers to childcare workers to Realtors. “The button project started here at Grand when a post came through my social media feed, showcasing a healthcare worker and her ‘button’ to show her cheerful face to patients,” Roser explained. “Due to COVID-19, I had been shut down since March and needed a positive project to use my skills and lift my spirits.” Instead of focusing on the hardships she had run into, Roser focused on the hardships that medical personnel were facing. “My new mindset was – if I lose my company
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Gilbert photographer Gail Roser started her Button Project as a way to give back to the community during a trying time. (Courtesy of Grand Photography/Gail Roser)
