Port Coquitlam graduates may not have traditional grad parties and events but that doesn’t mean they’ll celebrate alone.
The city has officially declared June 14 to 20 as Grad Week to support and recognize the class of 2020, which is missing out on its traditional ceremonies and celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With restrictions on group gatherings and other physical distancing requirements, School District 43 was forced to shut down traditional grad events. But students, teachers and parents, along with school principals are coming up with their own plans, with special grad recognition programs planned for both Riverside and Terry Fox secondary school.
As well, high schools across the Tri-Cities will be celebrating with a special social media shout out and grad cheer on Saturday, June 20 at 8:20 p.m.
In addition to the proclamation issued by this week, the city is supporting requests from local parents to recognize the graduating students by posting a congratulatory message on city-owned transit shelters, the underpass on Shaughnessy Street and digital billboards starting this week.
Port Coquitlam city hall will also be lit up in each of the three secondary school colours (Terry Fox Secondary, Riverside Secondary, École des Pionniers and Archbishop Carney) during the week of June 15.
Businesses are encouraged to display “Congrats 2020 Grads!” signs in their windows and on social media, as well as offer local grads special deals.
The community is also asked to join in with the city to support the special cheer for 2020 grads at 8:20 p.m. on June 20 and posting congratulatory messages on their social media using #pocograd2020.
A congratulatory message from Mayor Brad West will also be on the city’s social media channels.
The full proclamation can be viewed at www.portcoquitlam.ca/councilmeetings.
