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Ralph M. Captain Elementary School COVID-19 Pandemic Memoirs

 Collection
Identifier: A3195

Scope and Contents

The memoirs were written by thirty-eight fifth-grade students taught by two teachers at Ralph M. Captain Elementary School during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The printed memoirs are arranged alphabetically by surname or initial; some of the students did not provide their full names. The memoirs vary in length from one paragraph to three pages. The students discussed their activities and their thoughts and feelings about the pandemic. Gracie entitled her memoir, “Everyday Life in Quarantine,” and Claire realized that as a fifth grader in spring 2020 she, “was never going back to elementary school” (f.2). The students discussed family activities they had done before the pandemic in contrast to what they could do during the pandemic. They also wrote about social distancing, celebrating birthdays in quarantine, trips to stores, acquiring and wearing masks, new daily routines that did not include going to school, and some shared their feelings about social isolation.

Dates

  • 2020

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Historical Sketch

On March 21, 2020, St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis issued mandatory stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools across the country had to implement remote learning, allowing students and teachers to remain at home in compliance with local and state orders. During this time, fifth-grade students at Ralph M. Captain Elementary School wrote memoirs about their experiences in the early days of the pandemic.

Extent

0.17 Cubic Feet ( (2 folders))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The printed memoirs are arranged alphabetically by surname or initial.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The donated was donated by Tom Bober in 2021 (accession number 2021-047).

Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2022.

Title
Ralph M. Captain Elementary School COVID-19 Pandemic Memoirs
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2022
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510