ASHLAND, MA — Ashland Elementary School Principal Michael Caira Jr., a Wilmington native, received a shoutout from Ellen Degeneres during “The One World At Home Together” television special on Saturday night.
“[COVID-19] is causing so much heartache, but small acts of kindness are popping up everywhere,” said Degeneres, in a segment spotlighting educators during the World Health Organization’s fundraiser concert. “Like Principal Michael Caira in Massachusetts, who is staying connected to students by bringing mobile dance parties to their front lawns.”
According to Zane Razzaq from MetroWest Daily News, Caira has been staying connected with his students during the school’s closure by dancing through their streets. Often accompanied by his own family, Caira visits 8-15 streets per day, with his students often joining in the fun by dancing in their front yards while maintaining appropriate social distancing. Students are given advance notice via email whenever Caira plans on visiting their neighborhood for his popular drive-by dance parties.
“I am completely humbled and honored…,” Caira wrote on Twitter after receiving the surprise recognition. “Thank you Ellen for the shoutout. Thank you Ashland for supporting our incredible educators. Dancing with our students from a safe distance brings great joy. So blessed to know it is making others happy. Keep dancing! We love you!”
Watch Caira in action below:
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Caira almost joined the Wilmington school district back in 2012 when was the runner-up in the Woburn Street School Elementary Principal Search.
(NOTE: Cover photo from Caira’s Twitter account.)
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