After careful consideration and consultation with local public health, Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has determined that graduations will remain virtual for the 2020-2021 school year.
The Ontario government announced on June 1 that schools would remain closed for the rest of this school year, but would allow school boards to invite graduating elementary and secondary students to return to school for a short, outdoor celebration, where physical distancing is possible.
TLDSB schools have been working hard over the past several weeks to organize virtual graduation ceremonies to celebrate and honour graduates in a way that maintains current health and safety protocols and restrictions. While the Ministry of Education advised that school boards could consider gathering outside in class cohort groups, the issue of time for planning and equity of opportunity continues to be problematic.
Schools will be communicating with all families about plans to drop off devices and pick up personal belongings once plans are in place for this to happen safely. This will be a chance for parents/guardians to take photographs of their graduate, collect the graduation diploma, as well as possibly speak with cohort friends and say goodbye to staff.
This year’s group of students are in a graduating class that has had to face numerous obstacles throughout their final year and a half of elementary or secondary school. TLDSB schools will honour them in a special way to acknowledge their time at school.
Parents/guardians are asked to contact their child’s school directly if they have questions about school specific graduations.
