Disappointment in the north as students miss out on in-person graduation ceremonies
Malia Leighton is preparing to graduate from high school on Manitoulin Island and while she says it's not what she hoped for, she’s making the best of it.
"Obviously it’s like really sad," Leighton said. "Those … memories and everything like that … you won’t have, but I mean I still bought a prom dress to get pictures in."
CTV Northern Ontario is honouring Class of 2021 graduates with a special photo album. Submit your grad and prom photos here.
While Premier Doug Ford has been saying there should be in-person grad ceremonies with appropriate COVID-19 precautions, many school boards are saying they can’t organize it in time.
Rainbow District School Board said in a statement that outdoor graduation ceremonies "would contravene the safe reopening guidelines."
"We know how important graduations are for students and families," the statement said. "Health and safety, however, is equally as important and remains our first and foremost priority."
"Given the ongoing focus on health and safety, the planning that has already occurred and the costs that have been incurred, virtual graduations will continue at all Rainbow Schools."
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board sent a similar message to its parents and students:
"Our principals and staff began planning some time ago to prepare wonderful celebrations to honour the hard work and accomplishments of students in grades 6, 8 and 12," the statement said.
"Schools will also be augmenting the virtual celebrations with outdoor opportunities where possible. These might include drive by and photo opportunities, pick up of certificates and awards/gifts and the chance to greet staff at the school."
Malia’s mother, Terri-Lynn Leighton, said the fact her daughter is missing her in-person graduation is disappointing, and it’s not the recognition that students deserve.
"It’s not special," she said. "You have your child sitting at home and going to be watching a computer screen they just spent the past almost two years watching. Their life has been a computer screen and it’s certainly not fair at all.”
Terri-Lynn is in the process of planning something for graduates on Manitoulin Island, but she’s not sure what that will look like at this point in time.
"I’ve went through many hoops and I just kinda keep getting turned down," she said. "On my own, I’ve reached out to a company to order caps and gowns because our students are probably one of the few that actually didn’t even get a graduation photo, which is very, very upsetting. It's four years of their education and they have nothing to show for it.”
She said there's a council meeting June 13 in Gore Bay when officials will decide if graduates will be allowed to have a socially distant gathering at the town docks so they can get photos.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.