Surrey Schools Superintendent Jordan Tinney says “there’s no question it isn’t grad as normal” this year.
As the COVID-19 pandemic set in and in-class instruction was suspended indefinitely in March, graduates throughout Surrey wondered if they’d be able to celebrate the milestone with their classmates.
READ ALSO: Surrey parents, students navigate remote learning during COVID-19, April 3, 2020
Graduation, which can include the commencement ceremonies, a dinner/dance and dry grad, is something that many students look forward to for years and start planning for in the fall.
L.A. Matheson Grade 12 student Rajinder Kalsi previously told the Now-Leader it felt like a milestone was being missed.
“It’s just unfortunate because we know we can’t do much about it because of what’s happening in the world right now,” she said. “We won’t be able to celebrate the way that our older siblings have, or the people in Grade 11 right now. We’re not going to be able to celebrate like they’re going to celebrate.”
Then June 1, a hybrid form of in-class learning started up again and with it came the opportunity for grad ceremonies – but unlike any year before.
While the dinner/dance and dry grad events still aren’t possible due to limits on gatherings, schools still managed to rework commencement ceremonies to celebrate the grads.
So far, several Surrey high schools have used space offered by Peace Portal Alliance Church in South Surrey, others have hosted socially distanced events in the schools and one even held a “drive-in commencement.”
“We’ve got everything from outdoors, to, of course the volunteer church in the south, we have limited numbers in gyms, we’ve got one in which they’re doing a drive-through with the grads,” said Tinney.
“Grad is a special moment, but it’s very different and looks very different all across the district this year.”
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also addressed the 2020 graduating class on several occasions, telling them to look at this experience as a unique and historic one.
VIDEO: Dr. Bonnie Henry offers words of encouragement to B.C.’s 2020 graduating class, May 2, 2020
“Reaching this milestone during an unprecedented global pandemic, shows that British Columbia’s class of 2020 has the resiliency to take on anything,” she said in June. “I know this has been a challenging time, but there are so many exciting adventures ahead. Be kind. Be calm. Be safe.”
Under sunny skies, Elgin Park grads celebrate “mission accomplished!”Many hands made this ceremony a success!#sd36learn pic.twitter.com/tVYld5TTTg
— mcnally_laurae (@mcnally_laurae) June 18, 2020
I always feel immense pride at this time of year. I have so much gratitude for my students for being vulnerable, for taking risks and for showing growth where it matters most. Congrats to our first grad class @SalishSecondary! I am so proud of you all! #sd36learn pic.twitter.com/7jhUYcVK5s
— Lauren Compton (@LaurenSoroka) June 18, 2020
Looking forward to seeing our @FrankHurtSchool grads in a few short hours! pic.twitter.com/fHObDN0cOo
— Dean Maion (@mrmaion) June 18, 2020
So proud! Enver Creek's Drive in Commencement 🙌👩🎓❤ pic.twitter.com/Pai0zP2CbK
— Amer Gill (@EC_AGill) June 17, 2020
Here come the North Surrey Learning Center Grads of 2020! Great to see so many parents and Staff cheering them on! #sd36 learn. pic.twitter.com/JqNrZDYS3K
— mcnally_laurae (@mcnally_laurae) June 16, 2020
GRAD 2020! Our supporters!!!
— White Rock Learning Centre RAVENS (@RavensWrlc) June 16, 2020
Thank you!!! Thank you Peace Portal Alliance Church!!! And graduates ❤️❤️❤️. #resilience #hope #love #Classof2020 pic.twitter.com/3mAMX0sjFZ
Three down, 15 to go! So grateful to have the opportunity to be celebrating with the graduates and their guests. A huge THANK YOU to the @FPSSDRAGONS staff volunteers who are making our three days of Commencement possible. #grad2020 #fpsslearns @Surrey_Schools #sd36learn pic.twitter.com/4hxvXNJXSh
— Nikolas Kirincic (@NikolasKirincic) June 11, 2020
Congratulations to the CHS graduates of 2020! We are so proud of our Clayton community. Good luck in your future endeavours! #chslearn #sd36learn pic.twitter.com/0dVsYELoah
— Catherine Moennick (@cmoennick) June 10, 2020
Saw some amazing caps 🎓#Creativity @FrankHurtSchool #sd36learn pic.twitter.com/dFMiRiOf9S
— Kavita G. Sharma (@kavitasharma36) June 19, 2020
That’s a wrap of three days and 19 sessions of amazing grad celebrations! In case you missed it, please enjoy Abishek Kanagasabay's Valedictorian address (produced by fellow grad, Robert Ciota). Congrats, #grad2020! Be safe, Dragons! @Surrey_Schoolshttps://t.co/SutX9sjScw
— FleetwoodPark (@FPSSDRAGONS) June 13, 2020
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.com
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