The Greater Essex County District School Board will not be holding in-person graduation ceremonies for its Grade 8 and Grade 12 graduates.
A statement from the school board said the decision was made after consultation with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and the Health and Safety Officer with the board.
Premier Doug Ford encouraged all school boards to hold in-person outdoor graduation ceremonies after announcing schools would continue to have online classes for the remainder of the school year. He said under Step 1 of the provincial reopening plan, outdoor ceremonies would be allowed in spaces where 2 metres of physical distancing could be maintained.
The school board has now determined that “in-person graduation ceremonies are not possible at this time.” Schools will continue to plan online ceremonies for their students.
“It is also recommended that schools offer some type of personal contact with graduations, possibly an opportunity for scheduled visits for grads to pick up their diplomas and awards and have a photo taken,” said the statement from the school board.
Individual schools will be responsible for distributing information about diploma pick-up and photo opportunities.
The Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board has not made any final decisions on graduation ceremonies at this time, however, Communications Coordinator Stephen Fields said a decision is expected shortly.
