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Recording Pandemic History an Artifact at a Time

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When most adults would like to forget that the COVID-19 pandemic ever occurred, C.A. Reinhard students are making sure their education and experiences during this challenging journey will not be forgotten.

Second graders in Jennifer Magliano’s class created a time capsule, which included items that would spark stories and details about this historical time. The time capsule will be stored away until 2030 and opened as these students are ready to graduate from high school.

“The idea of a time capsule was to help the students be recorders of history and to assist them in understanding that they have been living it,” Ms. Magliano said. “They had a unique experience that will set them apart from other generations.”

In addition to artifacts, the students included writing samples expounding on the memories of isolating at home and how the C.A. Reinhard Class of 2020 will be remembered. Artifacts included shells from a socially-distanced walk, a seed pod to represent outdoor activities, an empty toilet paper roll, masks, hand sanitizer, C.A. Reinhard clothing, birthday cards with an explanation of a drive-by birthday celebration and a rainbow to signify the nationwide viral project that symbolizes the pandemic’s eventual end.

Ms. Magliano said the time capsule will remain in her classroom until its opening in 2030 and her students will unveil the stored artifacts with the second grade class of that year.