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School boards likely to hold virtual grad ceremonies this year

Sault College, Algoma University stick with virtual approach
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Local school boards and postsecondary institutions are preparing graduation ceremonies for their students with COVID precautions in mind.

“The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board recognizes how important graduation celebrations are to students, families, employees, and communities,” said Rose Burton Spohn, H-SCDSB director of education in an email.

“Our board continues to plan meaningful, dignified, and personalized virtual graduation masses and ceremonies for all Grade 8 and Grade 12 students.”

Premier Doug Ford announced June 3 his government is encouraging schools to hold outdoor grad ceremonies for all grades even as he also announced that classes would not go back to in person instruction until September due to COVID-19.

School boards across the province had been planning virtual grad ceremonies for weeks.

“The government’s announcement on June 3 related to in-person outdoor graduations has sparked many questions and requires more clarification,” Burton Spohn said.

Earlier, the H-SCDSB announced “the board will continue to communicate and collaborate with the Algoma, Porcupine, and Sudbury Health Units to ensure any opportunities we can provide for students to receive their diplomas in person are safe for all and reflect the most up-to-date public health guidance."

“We are seeking and understand that further clarification about these remarks is coming,” said Lucia Reece, Algoma District School Board (ADSB) director of education, waiting for more information after Ford’s announcement.

In a letter sent to parents June 2, Reece stated “we recognize that you may have questions about the retrieval of personal items, returning computers and devices to the school and graduations for students in Grade 8 and Grade 12, so I want to reassure you that we will be providing further direction on these matters in the coming days. We will be consulting with our Public Health Units, to seek their advice on appropriate measures and to better understand what the current legislation and restrictions do and do not allow as we plan for year-end.”

Sault College will be showcasing its grads on its graduate website later in June. 

“The website will highlight special ceremony video footage for each program, congratulatory messages from guests, and will showcase graduates and their programs along with personalized graduate profile pages,” said Sault College spokesperson Rachel MacDonald. 

Algoma University will be holding a virtual ceremony for its grads Saturday, along with the formal installation of Mario Turco as chancellor.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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