Schools plan for alternate grad ceremonies

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This article was published 09/06/2021 (1798 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Changing public health guidelines have forced high schools across Winnipeg to scramble to give their graduating students a proper sendoff later this month, amid the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools have been ordered to remain in remote-learning mode through the end of the school year, which means all graduation plans are in pencil and not ink.

In the case of Calvin Christian School it Transcona, it means having a Plan D in place in case it’s needed, principal Shannon Smith said.
In 2020, Calvin Christian worked with a studio in Elmwood to record videos of each graduate.

They were completed just before enhanced restrictions went into effect. The project involved a high degree of preparation to keep people safe, including only allowing household members in the parking lot and booking each session with time in between to avoid crowding.

“The parents and kids were very appreciative and it adds a personal touch because we can say something special to each student,” Smith said.

Smith said she knows first-hand the frustration the students are experiencing as her daughter is one of 33 members of the Class of 2021.

“It’s tough on them. It’s not what they romanticized grad to be.”

Organizers are putting the finishing touches on Plan D, which will include how the video will be shown but Smith wouldn’t reveal details, preferring to keep them a surprise. Because Calvin Christian’s graduating class is smaller than  those at other schools, there is hope for some sort of gathering in late June, Smith said. A facility is tentatively booked and they have some ideas for last-minute catering which is normally booked well in advance.

“We love and treasure these kids and we want them to know that,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute will hold its graduation ceremony on June 28 in the parking lot of North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, principal Andrea Neufeld said.

“We are doing a drive-in graduation with all necessary protocols in place,” she said. “We will include elements from our farewell dinner that we are unable to host this year, which include our valedictorian address, and our student-selected teacher speaker.”

Several on-campus events had to be cancelled, Neufeld explained. Administration is working to see if the allowed small groups can facilitate connections and allow students to get some closure to the year. A parents committee will try and hold a graduation party later in the summer if restrictions allow.

Neufeld said the challenges the school face include how to plan for the best-case scenario with respect to group sizes. They also want students to have some fun, as they would in normal times.

Everyone should be celebrated for their achievements, too, she added.

“Our Grade 12s have shown great resilience, creativity and stayed the course through very difficult times,” Neufeld said. “We are very proud of them and want to do all that we can to celebrate their learning journey at MBCI and the wonderful people they are.”