Wesmor Public High Schools graduating class of 2018. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Grad 2020

Local high schools gearing up for graduation amid COVID-19 virus

Jun 11, 2020 | 5:17 PM

Two Prince Albert high schools are ready to celebrate the graduating classes of 2020.

Wesmor Public High School is planning to celebrate its graduating students with virtual online ceremonies. This will see students watch the valedictorian address along with the address from the principal on a private stream.

The school’s principal Gina Sinoski said not being able to have regular ceremonies is hard for both teachers and students.

“We don’t get to see these young people and their faces as they walk across the stage, the students don’t get to really say goodbye to us and we don’t get to say goodbye to them,” she said.

Sinoski explained the school has two people on staff who are photographers. Last week, they brought in graduating students to the school to get their pictures taken individually. The pictures of students are going to be displayed publicly, including on the City of P.A. digital billboard.

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In place of the regular cap and gown ceremony teachers are organizing a parade where students will get their physical diplomas.

“We are delivering grad pictures, their diploma folder and their diploma, their caps, and sort of swag bag gift from our school community council,” she said.

As of Thursday, Wesmor was set to graduate 68 students, Sinoski said when all is said and done, they are hoping to have 70 students be part of the class of 2020.

The school principal said it was really important to graduating students to get things like their pictures and said students are happy with what they are able to do. Sinoski added what this group was able to accomplish was special.

“These grads are going down in history, they persevered through a pandemic,” she said.

PACI also has plans in place

Staff and students at Prince Albert Collegiate (PACI) are also set to have a different kind of graduation. The school’s principal Dave Lokinger said they as well will be doing ceremonies virtually. Students are also going to be able to come in to get graduation photos and pick up their diplomas.

“We put together a really nice ceremony for them, where we will have guest speakers, we’ll have dignitaries and different folks wishing them well in their graduation,” he said.

Not being able to do regular ceremonies is something that has not been easy for students according to Lokinger. He added many of the 50 graduating students have been looking forward to the event for a long time.

“It’s been heartbreaking for these kids,” he said.

Lokinger said students have had positive attitudes about the situation. He added that virtual ceremonies are just not the same as what is usually done.

He said not being able to do the regular graduation activities is also not easy for teachers, especially for those who are not going to be around for the next school year.

“The closure piece for them is just huge too, especially for a teacher who this is their last year teaching,” he said.

Province releases guidelines for graduation

The provincial government released guidelines relating to graduation ceremonies. While they advise virtual services as being the safest way to go, other ceremonies are allowed if certain precautions are followed.

Outdoor services may proceed if they have a maximum of 30 graduates per class and an overall attendance of 150 people. This includes graduates, guests, and staff members.

All graduation services must comply with the public health measures and the guidelines in Re-Open Saskatchewan, including the need to maintain physical distancing.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn