By Andy Gardner

Massena’s superintendent of schools says he and other regional superintendents will meet June 2 to discuss how to handle graduation for the Class of 2020.

“Currently, under executive order, the (restriction of) 10 people or less for social gatherings remains,” said Pat Brady, Massena Central superintendent.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s NY on PAUSE executive order expires Thursday, May 28. His decision on whether to extend or relax the restrictions won’t be made until after press deadline for this edition.

“I think all of the regional superintendents would like to do some sort of in-person grad and not virtual. We have to follow the guidelines set up by the governor and St. Lawrence County Public Health,” Brady said. “We’re looking to communicate with the Department of Public Health on what our options are for grad ceremonies.”

Although no decisions have been made, Brady said they could potentially do a drive-up ceremony.

“It could be you have families come in on an individual basis to receive diplomas. It could be that it’s a drive-up ceremony where the grad does not get out of the vehicle to receive a diploma. There are some options that might still maintain the safety protocols still in place, but provide a ceremony,” he said. “Students and immediate families may arrive on a scheduled basis and possibly the student would then exit the car, have a photo taken, and move on.

“They might come to school at a pre-arranged time and walk across the stage to have a photo taken. It wouldn’t be done with large groups of people outside of vehicles.”

Brady said he feels that the seniors have worked their entire school careers only to possibly be denied a traditional academic capstone achievement.

“This senior class and their families have lost a great deal in terms of the traditional types of ceremonies,” Massena’s top school administrator said. “It’s really unfortunate their time in the sun comes and we’re in a pandemic situation limiting how we can celebrate this important milestone.”

He said there is a committee of parents and teachers working to find ways to applaud the upcoming grads. One of their ideas was to install the banners that are now around Massena. They hang from light poles and show each senior’s name and headshot.

“We had them come up earlier this month and drive through and receive their cap and gown and a lawn sign,” he said. The lawn signs go in front of the student’s home and say that a member of the Class of 2020 lives there. “Their teachers were there to celebrate them. We’re all just working to do the best we can for our seniors and that’s what we’ll do with graduations with the safety protocols in place with the state and local health officials.”

During a special May 26 Board of Education meeting, the Massena school board voted to make June 15 the last day of instruction.