I remember my High-School Graduation from Middleton Regional High School (Valley Girl!) There were 98 of us. Most of us had been in school together since Elementary School. We all stood crammed into a hallway in our blue and gold gowns, chattering excitedly as teachers attempted to line us up into some kind of order to begin our walk to the stage 2 by 2.
That won’t be an experience the Grads of 2020 will have. However, I think they will still have some great stories to tell about their Graduation Ceremony during a Global Pandemic. There will be ceremonies in Nova Scotia this year, they will just look a bit different than years past.
The Province of Nova Scotia has announced the guidelines for Graduation Ceremonies this year, both community & school based.
Community celebrations
Outdoor community celebrations of graduates in June 2020 are exempt from gathering limit as long as they meet all the following conditions:
- event must be led by a recognized business, municipality or community organization (like a club, association, society, volunteer group or faith-based group) to ensure accountability for implementing protocols
- service organizations need to inform and get support from the local municipality and police, fire department and Emergency Health Services (EHS) before the event takes place
- attendees (including graduates) must arrive in a vehicle
- only people from a single household or family household bubble can be in each vehicle
- vehicles must park at least 2 metres (6 feet) apart
- attendees must stay in their vehicle during the event, except to go to the washroom
- graduates must stay in their vehicles during the event, except to go to the washroom or do things like cross a stage or take part in a parade of graduates as long as physical distance (2 metres or 6 feet) is maintained between all graduates while they’re out of their vehicle
- celebrations can include having graduates dance directly beside their vehicle with an individual from their own vehicle
- attendees and graduates can only have close contact (within 2 metres or 6 feet) with people from their household or family household bubble
- any observers can only have close contact (within 2 metres or 6 feet) with people from their household or family household bubble
- event and security staff must maintain a physical distance of 2 metres or 6 feet from others unless there is an emergency
- if washroom facilities are provided, there must be procedures to manage line ups that maintain physical distance (2 metres or 6 feet) and allow people to wash and sanitize their hands immediately before and after using the washroom
- there’s no food or beverage service at the event
- communication about the event must provide the following messages:
- people who are feeling unwell should not attend
- people who may be at high risk of severe illness should consider not attending
- attendees should bring hand sanitizer
- attendees should consider bringing a non-medical mask to wear if they have to get out of their vehicle
- attendees should familiarize themselves with how to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including proper cough and sneeze etiquette
School-based events
All public high schools in Nova Scotia have plans in place to ensure graduating students will receive their diplomas through a school-based event. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has developed guidelines to ensure school-based events follow public health safety measures and minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread (PDF 160 kB). School-based events are separate from any celebrations that might be held in the community.
