simple, but sweet goodbyes as 2nd pandemic school year ends
in addition to virtual graduation celebrations, many schools this week offered ways to mark milestones and say goodbye in person.
jun 27 2021
3 minute read
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by: jacquie miller
as pandemic school year no. 2 drags to en end, ottawa students celebrated all week on screens and in small, but sweet ceremonies.
in the spring of 2020, when covid-19 brought a sudden halt to traditional end-of-year graduation ceremonies, school parties and proms, it was shocking and strange.
after more than a year of living with the virus, students are accustomed to pandemic protocols that keep people apart and virtual replacements for real-life occasions.
since april 19, ontario students have been stuck at home taking classes online, and that’s the way this school year ends.
but, in addition to virtual celebrations, many schools this week offered ways to mark milestones and say goodbye in person.
“it was really good,” kadidja abdourahman said, describing the individualized grade 12 graduation ceremonies held in tents outdoors at école secondaire publique gisèle-lalonde in orléans. each student was booked in for a few minutes. “it went by really fast, but we got everything, even pictures, and i got to meet for the last time my teachers.
“the only thing that wasn’t there is we couldn’t take pictures with our friends, but, other than that, it felt like a real graduation.”
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the outdoor grade 12 ceremonies at école secondaire publique de la salle featured a huge stage.
some students arrived by car in a setup resembling a drive-through fast food outlet. one by one, students and their parents hopped out of cars, took their turns on stage and had a photo op before driving away. others, like andrew makoundi and luriand boundzanga, arrived by foot.
“i liked it, honestly,” makoundi said. “it was something special. they organized it well.” each student’s name was announced, as well as their plans for next year: for makoundi, that’s heading to the university of ottawa to study accounting.
école secondaire catholique franco-cité’s outdoor celebration for grade 12 graduates had a festive air, with tents, music and a backdrop for photos.
“it was pretty good, considering that’s all we can do right now,” graduate ava civetta said. as she passed through the tents, civetta was greeted by the principal and vice-principal and a photographer took her portrait. there was even a red carpet.
“it was like the academy awards!” joked her mom, judy o’brien. o’brien said she really hoped, when ontario premier doug ford announced earlier this month that schools could hold outdoor graduation ceremonies, that it would happen.
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o’brien said she appreciated the effort put into the celebration. “i thought it was very meaningful and special.”
there was a virtual ceremony, too, but civetta said she wasn’t that interested in that. and how would she describe the pandemic school year of 2020-21? “it wasn’t too bad,” she said politely. “but the shutdowns sucked.”
one of the school shutdowns ended civetta’s co-op placement working with children at an elementary school, which she loved.
she said some students at her school were talking about organizing a prom later in august, but she wasn’t sure if that would come together. “most kids will probably just do something with their friends and call it a day.”
that’s exactly what her mom has in mind. step 2 of the provincial reopening plan kicks in next week, allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people.
she will probably organize a party in the backyard, o’brien said. “for 24 of your best friends,” she told her daughter. “you can dance, and do whatever the things teenagers do.”
many elementary schools cancelled virtual classes for a few days this week to allow students to drop by schools to collect their belongings and to see teachers.
emily sauvé biked to vincent massey public school on smyth road on thursday with daughter maddie, 7.
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they were greeted outside the school by a teacher, an archway of balloons and a billboard saying, “bravo. we are so proud of our vm students.”
“i’m just so happy to get this closure,” sauvé said. “(maddie) really wanted to see her classroom, say goodby to her desk, say goodbye to her teacher. it makes grade 1 feel final and then we start the summer.”
each child was allowed a few minutes to pick up possessions. neither mom nor maddie could remember what might been left behind in april when schools closed. “there might be a few backup clothes, although she’s probably outgrown them by now,” sauvé said with a laugh.
“my journal!” maddie said. “and there might be a few loose markers in my desk.”
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