Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement today that all schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year is the news many, especially high school seniors, were dreading.
The announcement means that in addition to no in-school teaching all school activities are canceled for this academic year, officials and superintendents said Friday.
That means no proms, balls, senior breakfasts, senior trips, athletic ceremonies recognizing seniors, academic recognition nights, yearbook signings or other school events.
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It also means schools will not hold traditional graduation ceremonies, they said. Schools are looking into alternatives. Many said they want to hold some type of celebration for seniors — but how that will look is still up in the air.
"With all schools closed, you just can’t have those activities,'' said David Alpert, a spokesman for the New York State School Boards Association. “No events like this can happen.”
Sad, but that is the impact of the decision announced, said the School Administrators Association of New York and the New York State Council of Superintendents. And unfortunately, necessary, they said.
Senior balls, breakfasts, ceremonies and graduation are large gatherings, said Liverpool Superintendent Mark Potter. Imagine trying to social distance at one of these events and you can see why they can’t be held, he said.
"It’s very sad, and frustrating for the kids,'' he said. "It’s like taking a rug and yanking it out from under them.
"I don’t think a lot of people understand the consequences of being together at large events like these, and the potential there is for spreading the virus,'' Potter said.
Potter said the Liverpool district has been trying to figure out what they can do for seniors — signs on seniors’ lawns, drive-by parades, virtual graduations — but they aren’t sure.
Robert Lowry, a spokesman for the New York State Council of School Superintendents, said districts statewide are trying to see what they can do for seniors. One district is looking at a drive-in graduation in a large parking lot where everyone stays in their cars, he said.
Districts all over the state are working to see how they can recognize seniors and try to make it special for them, said Kevin Casey, executive director of the school administrators association.
Luca Iacampo, 17, a Jamesville-DeWitt senior, said he’s curious to see what the district will do in place of the usual graduation ceremony.
"It will be sad to not have senior ball and graduation, but I do have other memories of high school,'' he said. “Everyone says your senior year is so special, but since I won’t have a regular end of the year, I guess I won’t know what I’m missing.”
Many schools sent notices out to parents today to alert them that schools will remain closed and to start to outline plans for the rest of the year.
Schools will continue distance learning and providing meals to students, they said. Some said principals will be setting up ways for students to get their belongings from the schools.
Cuomo had previously ordered schools closed through May 15 and that he would evaluate the coronavirus data before deciding whether to close for the rest of the year.
There are about eight weeks left in the academic year. For public schools in New York, the academic year normally ends in late June.
The state had previously waived its requirement that schools operate 180 days this school year and has cancelled the year-end Regents examinations.
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Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
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