Tri-City grads hoping to walk across a stage to retrieve their diploma or to celebrate with friends at a hotel ballroom will be disappointed after School District 43 officials cancelled public events in letter to families Wednesday.
In keeping with provincial orders, grad gatherings will not go ahead, but video or online programs to recognize 2020 grads will be allowed to proceed. Gifts, prizes or other ceremonial awards will also be made available for pick up.
Board chair Kerri Palmer Isaak broke the news via Instagram, saying with “heavy heart” she had to send the letter cancelling grad gatherings.
“We will still look at every option to make this a special time for you and your families,” she wrote.
In place of the cap and gown walk across a stage, dry grad and dinner dance, virtual or online recognition will be held before June 25. Grads will receive written acknowledgements of their success from the board of education, the superintendent of schools and the school principal.
As well, high schools can provide recognition, such as a grad cap with tassels, certificates or other items and dry grad committees can still provide prizes.
But these items will have to be picked up using COVID-19 safety measures.
Palmer Isaak said via text that schools are still working on details of how to handle grads remotely.
Some hope that grads will at least be able to don their festive wear for photos or other remote options.
