This is a special section by local kids, for local kids. Last week we asked: How are you feeling right now, with schools being closed? Here's what some of them had to say. The Sprawl is crowdfunded, ad-free and made in Calgary. Become a Sprawl member today to support independent local journalism!

See the bottom of the page for Sprawl Kids assignment #2!

I really miss my school.
I miss my friends most.
I am not used to staying home yet.

I miss playing outside with my friends for recess.

I miss blog. When we make a blog so my mom and dad know what we did.

I don’t miss having to wake up so early every day!

Sawyer is in Grade 1. His interests include: cats, photography, and the study of gems. More than anything he loves to read.

It seemed like the coronavirus was fine until a certain date, and then just suddenly blew up in our faces, like a flash of lightning. In February, everyone was aware of the virus in China, but no one was really worried. It’s China, we all thought, it’s too far away to affect us too badly. We were sure wrong.

After a week or so, the virus had gotten more serious, but it wasn’t in Canada or the USA, so we were still fine. The real issues were in Italy and Iran, but again, those countries were so far away. It almost seemed like a dream, so far away and untouchable. Dreams aren’t real, and neither is the coronavirus. It seemed too far away to reach us.

Our teachers reassured us, it wasn’t anything to worry about. We agreed, and some students liked to joke about coronavirus; yelling, “Coronavirus!” and pointing and backing away from kids who coughed innocently in the halls between classes.

Coronavirus became a joke because it wouldn’t affect us, and it wouldn’t reach us here in Calgary, so we could be light about it.

After a couple of cases had been tested positive in the USA, we became more uneasy because the virus had come closer. It was then I thought, “Yeah, maybe we’ll get a couple cases in Canada, but how much can it actually affect my day to day life?”

Then, over the course of the next two and a half weeks, everything happened right before my eyes. There were sudden cases all over. One case in Calgary. 7, 19, 45, 70, 83. Then everything started shutting down, cancelling, being postponed. The NHL and NBA, the Junos, sports events, dance shows, concerts, learning celebrations and many more. The list goes on and on.

And all this happened within two days!

And then school was cancelled.
Until further notice.
So in other words, until September.

Our normal lives fell apart over the course of a weekend. It was crazy, it still is.

And it’s disappointing and frustrating and sad, but like my mom says, we’re living history, and the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is bigger than all of us. It’s beyond just our life, and it’s affected everyone.

Although it’s a terrible thing that’s happened, the coronavirus pandemic has brought us together by forcing us apart.

If I've learnt anything from the experience so far, I would have to say that I've learnt not to take anything for granted. I didn’t realize how important school and my extracurricular activities were to me until they were taken away from me.

I thought at first, “I wish I knew it was my last day, so i could’ve said goodbye to everyone.” But now I realize that we have to live EVERY DAY like it’s our last, because we never know what’s coming next.

Caroline is an eight grader who lives in Calgary and loves to dance and learn how the world works.

I am feeling pretty good about school being closed because I get to stay home. I also am scared about it… because you could die from it.

I am also scared about my friends or teacher get this virus, but I am mostly worried about my granny because she is 70-something and it is more likely for older people to get this virus.

At first I thought this virus would not be a big deal, but now I understand how bad this virus is.

I also don’t like staying inside now. I have to be with my older brother, he is nine years old.

I also don’t like being homeschooled because I have to do more work.

Alexandra is in Grade 2. Likes puppies and ice cream. Dislikes being stuck inside.

Here's Sprawl Kids assignment #2: What is something on your street that makes you feel happy right now? Draw a picture of it.

Have a parent post it to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #sprawlkidsyyc and/or email it to hello@sprawlcalgary.com by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 27. We'll post a selection of these stories to our website next week.

The Sprawl is crowdfunded, ad-free and made in Calgary. Become a Sprawl member today to support independent local journalism!