There may not be a traditional tossing of the caps for this year’s graduating class due to social distancing protocol and large group restrictions; but members of the NBCHS and JPII grad committees are going to do everything they can to make the day a special celebration for the 2020 graduating class (Facebook/JPII)

By Martin Martinson

A time to celebrate

Local high schools plan for unique grad celebrations amid COVID-19 restrictions

May 6, 2020 | 3:47 PM

As the spring season continues to roll along, and the summer months inch even closer, the subject of graduation has been a pressing one on the minds of staff and families alike at the local Battlefords’ high schools.

Both North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) and John Paul II Collegiate (JPII) continue to meet and discuss what graduation might look like as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Britt Rumpf is an organizer of the NBCHS grad, and said ultimately it is important to the school to hear what the students have to say, as the celebration is a monumental day for those concluding their high school journey.

“It’s really important that the students have a hand in planning their grad and what it looks like, just to take some ownership over what that experience is, because it is such an exciting time,” she said.

Rumpf added while they would like to make a decision sooner rather than later, on how to host the graduation festivities, the committee is not going to rush a decision.

Russia-Ukraine War

In a first, President Biden gives green light for Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia

10m ago

Helping hand

Big red sleigh brings holiday spirit to kick off Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund

Nov 16, 2024

Battlefords North Stars

Big performance from Maric ends Red Wings win streak

Nov 16, 2024

“We’ve shared a few different possible scenarios and we’ll get a little bit of student feedback this week, as we’re sending out a form to our grad families, to see what will be the best fit for everybody,” Rumpf said. “We’ll then be having a few conversations about how we celebrate such a large group of people, in a safe way.”

Graduation is a benchmark day in the lives of students, which is why the local high schools are doing all they can to ensure 2020 features a celebration to remember. (submitted photo NBCHS/Carla Bernier)

Vice principal and chair of the graduation committee at JPII, Bruce Yockey said while the ceremony will likely need to take place in some sort of virtual scenario, due to the still-imposed restriction on large group gatherings, it remains vital to highlight the accomplishments of those graduating with some sort of public recognition.

“We’re going to do the best we can to recognize and honour our graduates this year,” he said. “We will be going ahead and presenting our awards, scholarships and bursaries, it just won’t be in the normal public ceremony, large gathering. How that looks yet, we still haven’t decided, but we’re kicking around a number of ideas and obviously we have to work within the constraints [in place].

Yockey said even if the celebration does look quite a bit different this year, graduation remains a very exciting benchmark moment in the lives of the students, and one that is shared with all those around them.

“Graduation is a culmination of 13 years for them,” Yockey said. “It’s been an important journey and it’s important obviously for the graduates and their families, and everybody who’s been involved in that. From their kindergarten teacher to their Grade 12 teacher, all the way along, there’s nothing we want to see more than for those kids to be honoured just as all the other past graduating classes have been. We’re going to do the best we can to make the most of the situation.”

Rumpf added sense of community and sharing in the celebration together – even if not physically together – will make the 2020 graduation ceremony a special one for the books.

“We really want to let our students know that we are committed to celebrating them, that we’ve been thinking about them, and that we really are looking forward to celebrating their graduation with them and they have been on our mind.”

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1