Photo from 2020 commencements at Valleyview Secondary. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

CLASS OF 2021

Kamloops-Thompson School District preparing scaled-back commencements for more than 1,000 grads

May 19, 2021 | 3:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — Pandemic gathering restrictions will make for smaller celebrations, but School District 73 grads will still be walking across the stage this year.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Bill Hamblett, commencements will look similar to last year’s format of individual ceremonies. However this time around, Hamblett says masks will be worn, health check forms will be filled out and attendance will be limited to the graduate and their immediate household or family.

The province is in a different place with COVID-19 than it was last year around this time and Hamblett says he hopes families are understanding about the capacity limits.

“The Ministry of Education in conjunction with public health came out with new guidelines on Friday for us,” he explains, “so they’re saying there is a limit. They’re suggesting four (adults) at this point, but you know, if there’s children under twelve (that would change). Each family is different.”

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The ceremonies will take 34 days over the next seven weeks, with more than 1,000 students eligible to graduate this year. South Kamloops Secondary begins next week, with Valleyview Secondary wrapping up the graduation marathon on July 9.

Hamblett notes it will be a large undertaking for district staff, but after last year’s graduations many families spoke of how much they appreciated the intimate ceremonies.

“It is different, but their parents are proud of them, the district is proud of them. And we’re going to make sure commencements are safe for students, staff and their families so they can cross the stage with dignity, purpose and options.”