TVDSB to hold virtual grad ceremonies as most students aim for in-class learning this fall
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is moving ahead with virtual graduation ceremonies, but isn't ruling out future outdoor events.
The board says all schools will hold virtual events for graduating Grade 8 and Grade 12 students, but it is still exploring possible in-person recognitions.
In a statement, TVDSB Education Director Mark Fisher said, "We understand how important it is for students, families and staff to have an opportunity to reconnect in person to mark the end of the school year."
On Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced schooling would remain virtual for the rest of the year, but hoped to see, “in-person, outdoor graduation events” so students could “reconnect outside before the end of the year.”
In the first stage of the provincial reopening rules, which are expected to take effect by June 14, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed.
Fisher responded Thursday, “With just weeks until the end of the school year, we are still waiting for details from the province about how in-person activities could take place while respecting existing public health guidelines."
For now, the board says student trustees will reach out to other students to gather ideas for potential in-person activities, public health measures permitting.
“Teachers, students and families have already put tremendous effort and time into organizing and preparing virtual ceremonies and those events will move ahead as planned,” said Fisher. “We need to celebrate this important milestone."
With students unable to celebrate together, CTV News London will be feature graduation photos on-air and online.
Viewers can send photos and some background information to londonnews@ctv.ca for consideration.
Majority of student want in-class learning
While some families are planning their own COVID-19-safe graduation get-togethers, they can't take the place of celebrating with friends, and that lack is reflected in those choosing in-class learning for the fall.
The board says more than 95 per cent of students have chosen to go back to the classroom for 2021-2022, versus 88 per cent this past year.
"We want students to get back in school to be learning with and from their friends, to be participating in extra-curricular, doing cross-country playing football," Fisher says. "Doing all of those things, you know music that makes school such a great place to be. And we’re really looking forward to try slowly and safely re-instituting all those important facets of an education."
- With files from CTV News London's Nick Paparella
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.