PHOTOS: 'Wave Parade' For Murrieta School Kids Amid Coronavirus

MURRIETA, CA — Online learning is underway in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, but Alta Murrieta Elementary School teachers and staff have been missing their students — and vice versa — something fierce.

So as a way to get some old-fashioned, low-tech face-time — with social distancing — a "wave parade" was held Friday afternoon in neighborhoods surrounding the K-5 campus.

Teachers and families loaded into personal vehicles decorated with cheery, colorful messages, streamers and garland. The fanciful caravan followed a pre-planned parade route — that was published online ahead of time — through the school's nearby community.

"The staff at Alta misses you all, so we are coming to visit you in a car parade," a notice read. "We will be driving through the neighborhoods to wave and honk hello to our Marvelous Mustangs!"

Students and parents were encouraged to line up at the end of their driveways and maintain a proper social distance while waving to parade participants.

Over three dozen vehicles — including three school buses — drove up and down the Murrieta streets, honking their horns as the teachers waved and held up signs of encouragement and inspiration.

Photographer Joe Fanaselle captured the photos attached here. He said the emotion during the event was palpable. "I saw several teachers and several parents with tears in their eyes."

All Riverside County schools were ordered closed earlier this month amid coronavirus concerns. The closures are ordered through April 30, although California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signaled that campuses will likely be shuttered statewide through the end of the academic school year.

—Joe Fanaselle contributed to this report.