Letter: More creativity needed for BHS graduation

Posted 5/25/20

To the editor:

I cannot fathom the reason for parts of the 2020 BHS graduation “ceremony” as described in the May 20, 2020 Barrington Times . Having the seniors final exit consist of …

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Letter: More creativity needed for BHS graduation

Posted

To the editor:

I cannot fathom the reason for parts of the 2020 BHS graduation “ceremony” as described in the May 20, 2020 Barrington Times. Having the seniors final exit consist of a solitary walk across an empty stage followed by a photograph of a virtually unidentifiable masked face seems more like heading to the gallows than any type of celebration. Why are we rubbing salt into the fresh wounds caused by Covid-19? While we cannot ignore that reality a bit more creativity is in order.

We almost undoubtedly will be in Phase 2 of reopening and can be more liberal. How about having a school administrator present on stage introducing each graduate at an appropriate remove from the other participants? The actual diplomas (sent to the student’s family pre-ceremony) can be given by parents or other family members (sans gloves and masks) directly to the students (who have similarly doffed their masks that they were wearing while waiting in the aisles six feet from the nearest student). A masked photographer (possibly one who has recovered from documented Covid-19 and proven to be carrying the neutralized antibody) working over six feet from the student can take several quick pictures. A real smile will be seen along with the freshness of youth and joy of accomplishment. The entire proceeding can be hosted on Zoom for other students and family to witness. Applause can be offered by the viewers by opening the mute function at the end of each photograph.  The student will be able to hear their peers as they are cheered on. To avoid too much background noise the Zoom host can control the mute button between applause events accordingly. Family and graduate then exit with masks again in place.

If we have saved $300,000 in busing costs let’s put it to good use. The cloud of coronavirus will never be far from the remembrances of The Class of 2020, but at least on this milestone day we don’t have to rub their noses in it.

Stephen E. Glinick MD

Barrington

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