Reschedule and rescue grads and proms, Lecce says

Ontario school boards say they will hold graduation ceremonies for students — even if celebrations are put off until the summer, fall or whenever it is deemed safe by health officials.

With schools across the province shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic and large gatherings unlikely to be allowed any time soon, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he expects boards to postpone and reschedule — but not cancel — graduation ceremonies.

“Students have worked incredibly hard this school year and we know that the CO

VID-19 outbreak has forced some schools to cancel or delay important milestones to recognize student achievement, such as prom and graduation ceremonies,” typically held in May or June, Lecce said Monday.

Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, said some schools hold commencements in the fall anyway, but “schools are aware of the importance of that celebration and will find a way to do it.

If social distancing rules are relaxed, graduations could return to as close to normal as possible, but everything depends on how the COVID-19 situation unfolds this fall. However, Abraham said, “we will find something. Even if it means kids come in and it’s livestreamed” with students walking across the stage one at a time to get their diploma.

“We will find a way to make it work.”

Toronto’s Malvern Collegiate has already rescheduled its commencement for Dec. 17, saying “this date will optimize the chance that most students will be home from post-secondary learning at the start of the winter vacation.”

The York board has said it will hold graduations in the fall, if health officials approve. The Durham District School Board said it is looking at holding events in the late summer or fall, should June not be an option.

The Halton District School Board has two committees — one elementary, one secondary — planning potential graduation or “end of year” celebrations that could be done at all schools. Fall graduations are possible.

It has already planned a “virtual prom” in June, complete with a DJ and overseen by staff.

NDP education critic Marit Stiles blasted Lecce’s announcement as “empty words … there’s no direction for boards, no support offered by government. So … it’s a nice sentiment, but that’s about it.”