Schools make decisions on graduations, proms

 

High School seniors will still have the chance to march to “Pomp and Circumstance,” though it may be later than originally anticipated.

Local schools have been closed since March 16 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Students have been studying at home through remote-learning programs and will continue to do so through the end of the school year.

In Saco, private school Thornton Academy is where publicly funded school students attend high school, through a contract with the school department. Thornton Academy Headmaster Rene Menard said in an April 17 letter to parents that the school will hold two virtual events in June for seniors – a senior assembly on June 4 and a baccalaureate on June 5.

Menard said the senior prom and commencement ceremony will still be held, but have been postponed. Senior prom is scheduled for July 31 and the commencement ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 2

“The importance of holding the following annual milestone events in person, if possible, was abundantly clear in the senior survey responses we received,” said Menard.

June 5 currently remains the date for the Biddeford High School graduation, but school officials have a back-up plan should that date not be possible. The school department has four different alternative scenarios, with the latest date being Aug. 7.

“Unfortunately, our students will not have the same opportunities as seniors before them to experience the final months of their K-12 education together in our building.   Their hard work over the past thirteen years must be rewarded with a ceremony,” said Biddeford High School Principal Jeremie Sirois in an April 13 letter to the school board and superintendent.

The Biddeford senior prom will not be held, according to an April 17 letter from Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray.

“We know Senior Prom, the final 8th-grade field trip, music competitions, and the spring sports season are among many of the important events each spring, especially for those graduating. Unfortunately, based on the restrictions put in place, it is not possible to hold these events in a fashion that is safe for our students and staff. We acknowledge how disappointing this can be but we also want to be mindful of setting false hope which could compound that disappointment in the coming months,” said Ray.

We know Senior Prom, the final 8th-grade field trip, music competitions, and the spring sports season are among many of the important events each spring, especially for those graduating. Unfortunately, based on the restrictions put in place, it is not possible to hold these events in a fashion that is safe for our students and staff. We acknowledge how disappointing this can be but we also want to be mindful of setting false hope which could compound that disappointment in the coming months.

 

Regional School Unit 23 Superintendent of Old Orchard Beach High School Principal John Suttie said in an April 9 letter to parents that school officials were working on a “thoughtful plan” regarding end of year ceremonies.

Thornton Academy, as well as schools in Old Orchard Beach and Biddeford will hold classes through June 5. The Saco School Board will vote later this month on whether to end classes on this day for public schools in Saco. Governor Janet Mills has waived state minimal requirements for number of school days this academic year.