COCHRANE— Rallying together to ensure Grade 12 students can celebrate their graduation together, a group of Bow Valley High School parents are embracing innovation to help craft memories that will last a lifetime.
The parents of Bow Valley High School students have launched a petition to host a modified in-person graduation ceremony that adheres to COVID-19 provincial health measures.
Kristin Holt said when schools closed in March graduation was the first thing on her mind.
“I knew June was going to come really fast,” Holt said. “It’s such a huge milestone and for the parents, teacher and staff too. I think everyone’s really heartbroken about it.”
Holt launched the ad hoc Facebook group for parents of Bow Valley High School Class of 2020 students to brainstorm ideas to celebrate graduates in Cochrane.
An in-person graduation ceremony can serve as an opportunity to give students and their families positive memories in what has been a tumultuous and challenging year, she said.
The committee launched a petition to host a modified graduation ceremony on Monday (May 17) and the document had already reached almost 200 signatures by Tuesday.
“I truly believe there is absolutely a way to do it,” Holt said, explaining that the Paul Daniels Stage located in Mitford Park could be the perfect setting because it would allow for social distancing.
She added multiple ceremonies could be held to adhere to the current public health restriction limiting public gatherings to no more than 50 people at outside events.
As of now, the Town is not booking events at their facilities until July 2 at the earliest, however, this date could change based on provincial health measures. A town representative said no exception to this rule is currently available.
The Bow Valley High School graduation was originally set to take place on June 29. An online ceremony is now being held using the video-conferencing app Google Classroom.
Rocky View Schools superintendent Greg Luterbach said it was a difficult decision to cancel in-person graduation ceremonies, but it was essential to follow provincial health guidelines to ensure the safety of students and their families.
“We’ve got rules that we need to follow from AHS (Alberta Health Service) and the provincial medical officer of health and so we’re trying to find ways that we can keep everyone safe and recognize and celebrate grads,” Luterbach said.
Schools across Rocky View have been working with graduation committees and families to create innovative celebrations, he said, including hosting online events and providing mementos and keepsakes to graduating students.
It would be challenging to host multiple ceremonies, Luterbach said, based on the logistics and practically of hosting safe celebrations that follow public health measures for more than 150 Bow Valley students, their families and staff.
Luterbach said he appreciates that parents have launched petitions because it helps Rocky View School’s administration understand how graduating families are feeling and what they would like to see.
He noted that the future remains uncertain because of the virus and it can be challenging predicting how health measures will guide events in the future.
“We don’t even know what school is going to look like in the fall,” Luterbach said. “We’re just trying to recognize and certainly appreciate [grads]— We’re proud of them and the fact that we can’t have our traditional event doesn’t diminish the pride we have in them and all their accomplishments.”
Schools did the right thing in closing their doors because the pandemic has created a terrifying reality, Bow Valley High School graduation committee member Lori Blough said, explaining that safety remains the top priority of parents.
She said they are working to find a solution that would allow students to celebrate together safely while respecting the provincial public health measures.
Parents have been speaking with the school, graduation community and principal Jim Reilly trying to formulate a plan for graduation, Holt said.
“I know that we’re all on the same team,” Holt said. “I know if they could they would give them everything that would be typical of graduation but their hands are tied.”
It has been difficult knowing that a graduation in-person may not be possible, she said, and this has spurred parents to do everything they can to create a magical event for their children.
“It’s a rite of passage,” Blough said. “You’re a grownup and you’re ready to strike out on your own.”
Blough said her daughter Theo from an early age was excited to graduate in 2020 because it seemed like a special year.
“It was such a special number, such a cool year. We had no idea what it was going to signify— The whole world turned up upside down,” Blough said.
Theo had picked out the perfect grad dress, she said, and was excited to celebrate the next stage of her life. Theo was set to take a gap year and visit Germany but will now be going to the University of Calgary in September.
“She had a lot of exciting things to look forward and then everything changed overnight,” Blough said. “She’s been really sad.”
Holt’s son Justin Ferguson is part of the 2020 graduation class and will be going to Mount Royal University in the fall. It has been a difficult transition being unable to attend school in-person with his friends, she said, but it helps that he has been able to keep busy studying and working.
Holt said the kids are grieving the loss of in-person graduations, especially because they were unable to finish the school year in the presence of their friends.
“It’s nothing like the last four months of your senior year should be,” Holt said. “They’ll never get it back, they never even get to say goodbye.”
Blough added that many of the Grade 12 students have been in school together since Kindergarten.
“These kids have been together for 12 years,” Blough said. “It seems like an exceptionally fantastic group of seniors this year. These kids are so special.”
The online Petition for Bow Valley High School Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony in June will be open for signatures until May 25.
