Graduating Grade 8 and 12 students may not be able to walk across a stage to accept their diplomas the way past graduates have, but a new community initiative will ensure their academic achievements are not forgotten.
Londoners are being asked to light up or decorate their homes and businesses in gold on June 25 to celebrate the city's graduates.
Dubbed Go Gold for Grads, the initiative honours those graduating from all institutions across the region. It was dreamed up by Thames Valley District school board (TVDSB) Trustee Corrine Rahman and Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis, in partnership with the Thames Valley Council of Home and School Associations.
"As we're dealing with our health concerns and the economic impact of COVID-19, I think we might not have realized the impact this situation is having on our kids," said Lewis. "It is really important to keep their mental health in mind and to find ways to honour those traditional rites of passage that we have in our society that they aren't able to participate in this year. They are missing out on something that is a once in a lifetime event."
The Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board announced the postponement of graduation and commencement ceremonies due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 in late April. Lewis said he picked up on the sadness being felt by students over the lost celebration during a Facebook Live civics class he hosted.
"It got me thinking there must be something we can do to recognize the graduates in a way that is not the normal tradition, but shows these students that we recognize their accomplishments and sacrifices they are making during this pandemic," said Lewis.
The City of London, the Thames Valley and London Catholic District school boards, Conseil Scolaire Catholique, Fanshawe College, Western University, the Municipality of Thames Centre, Tourism London, Libro Financial, Sifton Properties, Starlim International North America, the London Muslim Mosque, area MPs and MPPs, General Dynamics Land Systems, The “A” Team, and Harrison Pensa are among the organizations and businesses that have already signed on to participate.
Special lawn signs are also being crafted through staysafebekind.ca to honour grads. The signs read "celebrating the class of 2020. Stay safe, be kind" and are decorated with graduation caps and the year written in gold. Proceeds from the sale of the signs will go toward the Thames Valley Education Foundation.
"There has already been lots of enthusiasm from the parents... even the suggestion that we might do a drive around on June 25 and show off to our grads just how much the community supports them," added Lewis.