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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Director of Microbiology Dr. Roberto Vargas worked long hours running tests at a hospital in Rochester, New York.

Because of the risk of exposure, he made the difficult decision to isolate himself from his wife, Susan, and their four young kids. At the time of this conversation, he was living in the basement of their home.

Using StoryCorps Connect, Dr. Vargas spoke virtually with his wife Susan and their 10-year-old son Xavier about the toll that this setup has taken on them, and the ways they have come together as a family despite the distance.

Related Lessons

  • Lesson 119

    Storytelling

    English

    Pre-K

    Moby talks about stories being everywhere; Wimee tells a story about a river trip he took with a worm; Ms. Sara translates today's story words into Spanish; Wimee talks with kids about being writers; Ms. Kelaine takes us on a tour of the KDL Bookmobile where thousands of stories live; and Wimee dreams about discovering the most magical book in the world!

  • Lesson 120

    Thankful for Veterans

    English

    Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade

    Wimee and friends sing a song about things they're thankful for; Moby takes a road trip to an art exhibit at Veterans' Park in Grand Rapids, MI; Wimee and friends write a story about a cake-eating frog; Ms. Sara translates our key story words into Spanish; Michael creates a cool Wimage in the Lab; Director Adams from the MVAA tells Wimee about Veteran's Day and about who veterans are.

  • Lesson 121

    Bears

    English

    Pre-K

    Wimee and friends sing a rhyming song about a great big bear; Wimee writes a story about a chipmunk's forest adventure and Nia creates a Wimage for it; Ms. Stephanie teaches us how to say our key story words in ASL; Wimee's friend Rose Johnson tells us a Native American story from Michigan about a bear and his tail