Schools grapple with commencement changes during Coronavirus pandemic
They were born in the shadow of 9/11, the worst terrorist attack in United States history, and now members of the Class of 2020 have also been dealt another unsettling blow: graduating amidst a devastating global pandemic.
In mid-March when most schools in Jacksonville’s historic districts complied with directives from Gov. Ron DeSantis and Mayor Lenny Curry to shutter their doors immediately and cancel all school and extra-curricular activities, there really was no warning that it might be the end of normalcy for the rest of the school year.
Initially, no one envisioned that there would be no prom, no senior trips, no parties, no-end-of -the-year awards ceremonies, and no hanging out with friends to savor the “last times” or to celebrate college acceptances. And it seemed inconceivable that graduation itself, a landmark ceremony marking the transition between adolescence and adulthood, might be postponed or perhaps even cancelled. But that is what many high schools serving Jacksonville’s historic neighborhood are facing.
Like most high schools in the area, Bishop Kenny successfully navigated its overnight transition from operating in a brick and mortar school to become an online school. “Fortunately, we have been a 1:1 iPad school for eight years,” said Bishop Kenny Principal Todd Orlando. “All of our teachers and students already had school-issued iPads complete with a learning management system, digital textbooks, and other resources, which provided them with all of the tools they needed to implement our distance learning plan. Our students and teachers have risen to the occasion, and while life has certainly been interrupted, learning continues at Bishop Kenny High School.”
However, the school is still working with the Diocese of St. Augustine to figure out the best way to preserve the traditions of graduation week, which was originally scheduled for the weekend of May 21, 22 and 23. At that time, activities were to include a senior awards program, graduation Mass, and commencement exercises, which unfortunately have been eclipsed by the Coronavirus pandemic, he said, adding that Bishop Kenny’s plans, which were evolving at press time, still will celebrate the school’s 285 seniors and its traditions.
“While we look forward to these virtual programs, we also look forward to being able to gather together for a more personal celebration in the near future. We miss all of our students, but most especially our seniors, who have missed out on so many important activities,” Orlando said. In that spirit, Bishop Kenny initiated several gestures of celebration including a night-time illumination of the entire campus in honor of its Class of 2020, as well as a series of social media posts and several other surprises for the students who comprise the 68th graduating class at the school.
Bolles
Meanwhile, at The Bolles School, the plan is to continue with the traditional graduation celebration while taking precautions to keep social distancing and other guidelines in place.
After learning about the governor’s mandate, Bolles closed its campus educational facilities until Friday, May 22 for middle and upper school students and Thursday, May 21 for those in its lower school, practicing distance learning instead. However, at press time Bolles educators said they are planning to hold commencement on its regularly scheduled day, Saturday, May 23, while limiting the number of people who will attend. Saturday, June 6, has been selected as a fallback date, should circumstances warrant a change. “One thing we do know, it will be the most unprecedented and memorable commencement in school history,” wrote Head of School Tyler Hodges in a letter to parents.
At press time, sports activities and summer camps were still scheduled to begin the week of May 25.
To herald the seniors, Bolles has set up a Celebrating Bolles Seniors page online and will include stories and the names of its “lifers,” and “legacy” students.
Episcopal
Like Bolles, Episcopal also plans to hold its traditional commencement festivities on its regularly scheduled date. While all school classes and extracurricular activities continued to be conducted remotely through May 20, Episcopal plans to hold graduation activities in the early morning of Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 on the school’s River Field. “This will provide us a beautiful venue to celebrate together, while at the same time providing us enough space for safe social distancing,” said The Rev. Adam Greene, head of school, in a letter to the school community.
At press time, Episcopal was also planning to offer its full program of Episcopal academic and camp opportunities, said Greene. If circumstances do not allow for on-campus academic programs this summer, all courses will be offered in a remote learning format for full credit, he said.
To celebrate the Class of 2020, Episcopal also distributed yard signs to each senior’s individual home and is also creating a photo album for the seniors, which will include their favorite Episcopal memory, favorite photo, and where they are going to college. The album will be shared on social media and with each senior’s family.
“Eagles, because of you, our school is thriving even in the midst of such difficult circumstances. Because of you, we have become an even stronger community, even while we are forced to be physically apart. Because of you, and your continued support, we will continue to be a light that shines through this time of darkness until we are physically reunited and together again,” Greene wrote.
St. Johns Country Day School
Educators at St. Johns Country Day school are keeping their fingers crossed that they will be able to hold commencement exercises on the regularly scheduled date of Saturday, May 30, but the school does have several backup dates reserved with the Thrasher-Horne Center in June and July just in case. “While things are certainly still very much in flux, we hope and plan to have a live graduation ceremony as much as possible like our usual,” said Regan Minners, a spokesperson for the school.
St. Johns has worked to keep its distance learning program as vibrant and engaging as possible, and has brought several guest speakers to its virtual classrooms including St. Johns alumni Dr. Saumil Oza, a cardiologist from Ascension St. Vincent’s, who discussed COVID-19 with the AP biology class as well as his new project, Masks4Jax, and the importance of wearing masks. Meanwhile, Broadway actress and dancer Morgan Harrison visited the school’s theatre classes and Rabbi Robert Goodman of the Congregation Ahavath Chesed helped history classes observe Holocaust Remembrance Day. “I continue to be amazed by the incredibly rich experiences our teachers are bringing to life in Spartan Distance Learning,” said Acting Head of School Mary Virginia Fisher.
To celebrate the senior class, the school held a #BeTheLight celebration, turning on the lights on all the athletic fields at 8:20 p.m., which is 2020 in military time. “The seniors drove by in their cars as faculty, spaced six feet out down our drive and wearing masks, waved and cheered them on. When they pulled out of the back gate, their parents were there also, with signs, posters, and photo blowups, also waving and cheering,” Minners said.
Wolfson, Douglas Anderson and Robert E. Lee High Schools
Seniors graduating from public high schools in Duval County, such as Wolfson, Douglas Anderson and Robert E. Lee will enjoy full “normal” commencement ceremonies this summer in July, with a virtual senior celebration – a collaboration between Duval County Public Schools and Channel 4 – to be held after classes are over in May.
“The location is going to be different, but that hasn’t been assigned yet,” said Wolfson Principal Christopher E. Begley, referring to the July ceremonies when the diplomas will be awarded.
Meanwhile, each school is doing as much as it can to celebrate its senior class.
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts will hold a virtual awards ceremony that will be shown on the school’s website and through social media the week of May 18, said DA Principal Melanie Hammer. “We are doing a few things to honor our seniors,” she said, noting a few are the virtual awards ceremony, Senior Showcase on Channel 4, and Senior Signing Day, a video featuring each senior saying where they are going for post-secondary studies.
Meanwhile, more than 30 Wolfson teachers took senior class signs and distributed them into each senior students’ yards as a surprise on April 25. “They honked their horns and loved on them from afar,” Begley explained. “I keep in touch with the seniors through robo calls or emails reminding them that they are loved by Wolfson and to be strong.”
Senior activity week at Wolfson – Grad Bash, bowling, a barbeque, skating, and Adventure Landing, etc. – was supposed to be held May 18, but most likely will not take place this year, he said. “Every day is a fun-filled day, and that is the saddest part of all. Senior Week is a lifetime of memories,” Begley said. “Anyway, that is where we are, and, of course, we are not alone. The entire country is standing together.”
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