WANDERING RIVER - It was a little parade, for little people in a little community — but last Tuesday's kindergarten graduation class parade in Wandering River had a big impact.
"Schools are the hubs of our communities, so this just exemplifies that community pride and that community investment of our kids," said Northern Lights Public Schools board chairperson Arlene Hrynyk, who took part in the parade of a dozen kindergarten graduates from the Wandering River School.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic protocols, graduation ceremonies and celebrations of all year-ending classes have been postponed or cancelled, leaving many school officials and parent bodies to come up with unique ways to mark the achievements of students.
Marching — socially distanced — along the short parade route along the road that runs to the school, the youngsters from the Wandering River School's kindergarten class were dressed in caps and gowns. Each one walked with a parent or family member who held a poster with the student's picture. The young graduates carried soap-bubble makers that sent bubbles floating over the cheering spectators who lined the street.
'To watch everybody come out today to celebrate our kids — at such an abnormal time — in a remarkable way, is just one of the best things ever," said Hrynyk who rolled along in the parade behind the fire chief's truck and wailing siren, just in front of the young graduates, honking the horn in the NLPS SUV — until the horn gave out.
Hrynyk credits the success of the Wandering River parade to the students, parents, families and staff. She gives equal kudos to parents, staff and students across the division for making the best of a very unusual situation.
"This is all school-lead, and parent council and parent bodies that organize all the graduations and the celebrations . . . and they do a remarkable job," said Hrynyk, who has presented a video message to each of the division's five high schools plus outreach schools for virtual graduation ceremonies taking place in the coming weeks across the division. Division trustees have all made their own video messages that will be played at virtual celebrations across the division.
In the days and weeks to come, area schools will be holding online, virtual graduation and end of year celebrations. The POST and Lakeland This Week will have images and coverage of many of the events. Stay tuned to www.lakelantoday.ca.
