Graduating students from École Valois practice physical distancing during their graduation ceremony. Submitted photo/École Valois

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Grad 2020

École Valois celebrates graduates

Jun 20, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Prince Albert’s French school has celebrated the graduating class of 2020.

École Valois principal Catharine Topping said this year they graduated seven students.

“Lots of kids that have been with us since their Kindergarten years and some that have joined us more recently. It’s a great group of kids, well I guess young adults now really,” she said.

With COVID-19 putting a pause on large public gatherings, École Valois and all other schools were not able to put on their normal events like ceremonies and food services.

This year, Topping explained they had invited students and their families to come to the school to collect their diplomas Friday afternoon. She said they brought graduates forward one at a time, with people waiting in their cars before being called. This gave students the chance to see all of their peers from a safe distance.

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“They will be able to take a few pictures under our covered front,” she said.

Not being able to have normal celebrations has been hard for both students and staff. Topping said given the restrictions in place for gatherings not all teachers were able to attend the makeshift ceremonies.

“Some of them won’t get the chance to say an in-person goodbye,” she said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn