Woodland students e-visit police department

WOODLAND — Using Google Classroom and their webcams, fourth-grade students at Yale Elementary School “visited” the Woodland Police Department. Teacher Sarah Taylor came up with the idea of a virtual field trip to help keep students engaged while they learn remotely during the pandemic. Police Chief Jim Kelly and Officer Eric Swenningson used their webcam to welcome students and show them around the police station. Kelly was the cameraman while Swenningson was the tour guide, showing them holding cells, evidence lockers, the armory, fingerprint station and the detective’s office. Students also had the opportunity to view a police cruiser and ended with a question-and-answer session. Taylor is hopeful the next tour will be with a local fire department. “We make sure to take time so students can do show-and-tell, read aloud, and do other social connections because relationships are important at every age; I miss my friends so I know my students must miss their friends, too,” Taylor said.