The Churchill Community High School graduates of 2019. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

New Beginning

Churchill grads to receive high school diploma in their yard as ceremony cancelled

Jun 4, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Traditional graduation ceremonies won’t be occurring this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a Northern Lights School Division media release sent out Wednesday, it was noted administration has been closely following the situation and celebrating graduation for 2020 will be done in a different way. This was decided after reviewing guidance from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Response Planning Team and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

“We are acting out of caution to protect the safety and well-being of our students and families,” Director of Education Jason Young was quoted in the release. “While we are disappointed that we cannot hold our ceremonies in our usual way, please know that we will still celebrate and honour our graduates this spring.”

For instance, some school staff members are now working on a plan to hold a virtual ceremony to bring attention to graduates, and share their accomplishments with family and friends. Some schools have chosen to postpone it until a later date and those interested are encouraged to contact their school for more information.

The school division will be celebrating the class of 2020 on social media and by other means to give graduates a proper send off.

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“Our graduates should be very proud of this accomplishment,” Young mentioned. “With that, I want to thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility during this unprecedented time in our school community. This pandemic has caused considerable disruptions to our daily lives and has led to enormous challenges for our students, staff and families.”

At La Ronge’s Churchill Community School, as of June 2 there were 45 students who have achieved the qualifications for graduation with another 16 working towards that goal. If all students do graduate, it would be Churchill’s largest graduating class ever as the previous record in 2019 was 57.

As a way of recognizing Churchill graduates, administration will be coming to individual yards to present them with their diploma during the week of June 15 to 19. The presentation will also be recorded and made into a keepsake video for each one. More information on the process is expected to be released next week.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno