When quarantine was first announced, the plan was to return to school in late April, but as the social distancing mandates became extended, it became clear that would not be happening. On April 6th, Governor Jay Inslee announced that schools in Washington would be closed for the rest of the year and it became clear that many year-end traditions would be anything but typical, if possible at all. Given the continued threat of Covid-19 and mandates for maintaining six feet of social distancing, a typical high school graduation with extended families and friends gathering to celebrate seniors will not be possible. This is leaving staff scrambling to find ways to honor the senior class of 2020.
It was clear, after speaking to Principal Daley that priority number one was making certain that in the face of this pandemic, seniors (and really all students) were still being well-prepared for their futures. He said, “[We are] just making sure we support [seniors] in completing high school and securing their plans for next year, whether it be college, work or military service. If a senior was enrolled in all the classes that they needed for graduation, they will graduate. They need to show some effort though and engage with their teachers. Also, we have worked on policies to waive some credits if a student is adversely affected by the pandemic. This waiver only works for the class of 2020.”
Staff recognized immediately that seniors were especially impacted and disappointed in not being able to celebrate the end of their high school careers in the ways they had anticipated. In an effort to help the students through these tough times, staff in the Cascade School District collaborated to create a motivational video with inspiring messages and a montage of pictures for seniors, and really all students, in the district.
Ms. Brixey, an English teacher at CHS compiled this video. She said, "Every week, turning pages in my planner, I would find another senior event, another senior rite of passage, another senior celebration cancelled. Creating a video for our seniors - attaching their teachers' faces with message of love and support to music - it seemed to be the least I could do."
One senior who was very touched by this message was Sarah Butruille, who expressed her gratefulness as she wrote, “I want to thank all of you on behalf of myself and all of my fellow seniors for the amount of support we are receiving and have always received from you all. The teachers, administrators, and friends we have had throughout our twelve years at Cascade have shaped us all in more ways than we’d like to admit. I would not be the person I am today without such wonderful people guiding my way, and we are all so blessed. Despite this quarantine, your love and support shines through and is a stable comfort in all this. A rock to lean against. You continue to show us that we have not been forgotten and that you will continue to fight for us despite not being *with* us. Most seniors across the states aren't even close to how lucky we are in having the support that we do.’’
While some celebration and support for seniors has already started, other plans are still being developed. Staff at CHS is committed to making this senior year special for the class of 2020, even if it has to be done from a socially safe distance. Cascade High School principal, Mr. Daley, said, "We have generated some ideas that are far from anything final. I know the district and parents have some things in mind to celebrate the seniors, including our Senior Shout outs on Facebook, Twitter and on the school website.”
Seniors can also expect to see the annual Senior Edition of The Leavenworth Echo where their photo and information about them will be featured on June 3. This service is being offered for free and the deadline for submission is May 22. Seniors should follow this link in order to make certain The Echo has their information in time for the deadline: Celebrate Your Graduation. The CHS Publications team is working to coordinate a drive thru yearbook distribution event and making sure that seniors are the first group able to purchase any available yearbooks.
Other local school districts are doing virtual graduation ceremonies and this may be the same direction that CSD decides to go. According to the Wenatchee School District website, "Wenatchee and Eastmont will broadcast virtual graduation ceremonies on the NCWLIFE Channel on the dates and during the times they would normally be held. Virtual ceremonies will consist of pre-recorded speeches and be punctuated with pictures and announcements of graduate names."
According to their website, the plan in Cashmere is similar. They have requested to be permitted to, "Hold a modified graduation ceremony (immediate family only) with proper social distancing as part of the Governor’s Phase 2 reopening of the state," but have yet to hear back. They are also planning to, "Create a film all of our seniors and...a video of graduation if we are not allowed to have a formal ceremony."
Although a final determination has not been made by the CSD regarding graduation at this time, seniors can most likely expect something similar to these efforts.
Seniors should know that even though they are going through a rough patch in their lives right now, the school district is doing everything they can to help support all of their students, and the seniors of 2020 especially.
Do you have a great idea for a senior celebration? Leave a comment below.
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