COCHRANE— Rocky View Schools superintendent Greg Luterbach announced Thursday (May 13) that the school division will be moving forward with virtual-only graduations for the Class of 2021.
"Given the ongoing COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, even small in-person celebrations are not possible. As such, schools will have to celebrate our graduates with virtual and online celebrations along with various keepsakes," said a statement released by Rocky View Schools. "The Class of 2021 has endured it all— Change, isolation, health concerns, online classes, and so much more. This is not the graduation our students have worked for, planned, and dreamed of. We know they deserve so much more."
Schools are working on a variety of possibilities for virtual graduation ceremonies to celebrate the division's 1,848 Grade 12 students.
Rocky View Schools provided a statement to The Cochrane Eagle regarding the shift to virtual-only graduations.
“Plans are currently being reviewed and each school will share the details with their families, students and staff once confirmed," reads the statement. "The unfortunate reality of the pandemic means we are not able to proceed with an in-person ceremony or banquet and will rely largely on digital convocations and the creativity of our schools to find meaningful ways of celebrating our students.”
Graduation celebrations for Rocky View High Schools, including Bow Valley High School and Cochrane High School, will take place in June.
Cochrane High School mom Shelley Davidson is no stranger to modified graduations— Last year her older daughter participated in a parent-organized ceremony at RockPointe Church.
It is surreal to be in the same situation one year later, she said, explaining it is frustrating but understandable her younger daughter faces the same situation given the state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's pretty rough on the kids ... These kids don't get to celebrate with their friends in the same ways, it's a big deal for them. They've missed out on so much," she said. "The resiliency of these kids to move on and make the best of a situation, I hope it helps them later in life."
Parents are rallying to host a special event that adheres to public health measures for the Cochrane High School Class of 2021, she said, and they are drawing inspiration from those who organized last year's graduation ceremony at RockPointe Church.
"We'll do what we can to make it exciting and fun," Davidson said. "They deserve a celebration."
Bow Valley High School Grade 12 student Ellie Bates, 17, said it was disappointing but expected to see in-person graduation ceremonies cancelled in Rocky View Schools.
“The decision wasn’t made just to upset us … I understand that it’s for the good of the province and to make sure everyone can stay healthy during the pandemic,” she said.
Ellie is a member of the Bow Valley Grad Committee. It has been challenging planning an event for the Class of 2021. The committee has been working hard all year and it has been a hectic experience because as they create tentative plans, they are often transformed after finding a plan is no longer viable.
“We would have some days where we would scrap everything we had done because restrictions changed,” Ellie said. “It was a challenge for sure, but I’m really hopeful we can pull something off virtually so everyone has a chance to celebrate.”
Ellie said she is looking forward to the virtual celebrations and said the committee is crafting a special presentation to celebrate their classmates.
She added parents in the school are hoping to plan a celebration that will not be affiliated with Rocky View Schools. She cautioned, the decision to move forward though will be dictated by public health measures.
“Things keep changing and we just have to keep adapting and hoping for the best,” Ellie said. “I just hope everyone can appreciate the work put into the virtual pieces and know that it's [graduation] an accomplishment to celebrate.”
Katrina Osborn, whose son is graduating from Bow Valley High School, said it was not a surprise to see in-person graduation ceremonies cancelled by Rocky View Schools given the latest public health measures.
The situation is outside of Rocky View Schools' hands, Osborn said, but she wishes a clearer backup plan had been created for in-person celebrations or events.
"I know they are trying their best," Osborn said. "At the same time, we want to know that people are doing their best to make something happen."
Osborn said the day after the official announcement a Facebook group launched focussed on allowing families to host modified in-person graduation ceremonies separate from Rocky View Schools. She noted the ceremony will be dependent on public health restrictions in place.
"We want to make sure that they have a grad," Osborn said. "We feel so strongly about it, especially the moms. The parents prepare a long time for this— We never get this time again that's why it's so important."
Graduation ceremonies are a momentous event and mark a rite of passage from youth to adulthood, she said. Grade 12 should be a time of excitement and triumph for students, but for many, the school year has been one of uncertainty and isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
St. Timothy High School, part of the Calgary Catholic School District, is making plans for a variety of graduations based on expected health measures, said principal Rhonda Wolske.
A virtual celebration is planned for the school's 54 graduates on Thursday, June 24 and an in-person graduation ceremony is planned for Friday, June 25.
"At this point, we would like to do a drive-in, however with current restrictions we know that is not available," Wolske said.
St. Timothy's has been working with the Town of Cochrane to see if the field in front of the school could serve as the space for a drive-in graduation for families.
"We would have every graduate come out at an assigned time so we would only have that one person crossing the stage," Wolske said.
If this scenario is not possible a drive-thru event would take place that would be similar to the graduation held for the Class of 2020.
For now, they are waiting to see what restrictions are in place when it comes time for the graduation ceremony.
"It is all about everyone's safety and doing everything we can to keep people safe," Wolske said. "We just have to make the best of the situation. This is a special day— It should be a celebration."