the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Ridgewood NJ, Senator Kristin Corrado is requesting that local high school graduates be able to walk at outdoor convocation ceremonies.
“Many high school graduations are a month away. We can and should start planning to ensure the Class of 2020 can walk together while practicing safe social distancing,” said Corrado (R-40). “Our high school seniors have been stripped of their final academic semester, proms, and precious memories with their classmates. The least we can do is allow them to commemorate this milestone in person, responsibly.
“While a mask may be as much a part of their graduation regalia as traditional caps and gowns, our high school seniors have earned the opportunity to celebrate with all the pomp and circumstance.”
Cedar Grove High School Senior Jules Cicala wrote a heartfelt letter to Corrado on behalf of her classmates and all New Jersey graduates. She asked the Senator to deliver a message to the Governor.
Governor Murphy,
You have cancelled all graduations. I was scheduled to graduate from Cedar Grove High School June 19. I am acutely aware of the ravage covid-19 has created within our state, the U.S., and around the world. My Mother is a nurse. My Father is also an essential worker. I do not take these staggering numbers lightly, nor is it my intention to be selfish with my request. I am simply instituting logic. I pray for and respect all that are and have suffered at the hands of this virus.
I am requesting you allow outdoor graduations to occur, on a field, with students six feet apart wearing face masks. We can have our diploma on our seat without it even being handed to us by our principal. Our names can be called, and we can walk across our field like all the graduates did before us.
I am not blindly asking this because it is what I want. It is quite simply, logical. I have seen home depot and Costco lines that wrap around the store with people waiting for hours. My class is 130 kids, just like those lines. Shoprite, and other grocery stores are filled with patrons, closer than six feet apart. …
Governor Murphy, there is absolutely no reason why we cannot sit on our high school field, six feet apart, wearing masks, with limited guests around the perimeter of our field to allow us our moment. The devastating effects of robbing us of this is far worse than covid itself. If people choose not to participate, that is very accepted, and their decision.
For the health and well-being of the class of 2020 I respectfully ask you to allow the Class of 2020 to have a graduation. We are the future of New Jersey, and of this country.
Sincerely,
Julianna Cicala and the Class of 2020
It’s not really the graduates that will be the problem. They can be spaced 6 feet apart walking and sitting on the field.
The issue is how do you handle the crowds? Family – even if limited to 2 persons will fill up most of the stands. Friends and others who line the field and Heermance would be hard to control and socially distance.
Finally, post graduation…are you really going to tell these kids they can’t hug, shake hands, slap a back afterwards? No pictures with kids you’ve been in school with for 13 years?
and if it rains —everyone squeezes into the gym?
RW coronavirus cases and more importantly RW deaths have ground to a halt.
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Time to let these kids walk.
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They worked hard for 12 years.
They get no Prom Weekend
They get no Project Graduation.
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They at least deserve to have their graduation ceremony.
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When (local) history looks back on this and determines that the reaction was way too overbroad and heavy handed, this will be a blemish on RHS as an unnecessary interruption to the RHS graduation tradition. Fishbien and the BOE will be exposed as weak and held up as a missed opportunity to display bravery and leadership to the class of 2020 graduates.
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BTW, does anyone know what the Project Graduation theme was this year?
I graduated from RHS last year. I know what it’s like to experience graduation and it’s something that I hope every RHS senior gets the opportunity to experience. That said, there is nothing socially distanced about RHS graduation and quite frankly, there’s not really a way to ensure proper distancing. Graduates move from the crowded campus center out single file to the path where they walk with a partner. Obviously the walking and seating at graduation can be socially distanced but a crowd of at least 900 (2 parents per student) is the problem. Why not wait until the summer and give these graduates the proper graduation they deserve.
“Gov. Murphy announced on Thursday that beaches and boardwalks will be open in time for Memorial Day weekend, a decision that reflects the slowing rate of the coronavirus outbreak across the state.”
It’s time. Graduation should happen.
I have a senior and I say leave for late July and have the full ceremony. It will be safer by then and we can all enjoy it without having to worry where the virus is flying from toward our face. This is an abnormal year , one that doesn’t happen in at least 100 years. Better safe than sorry.
Other schools holding graduation (Montclair). For the taxes paid, salaries paid to teachers, RHS is known for good schools. If ok there can plan a socially distant graduation, Ridgewoo d BOE should be able to plan one. Chairs 6 feet apart, parents only, tossing their caps. They have gotten screwed this year for momentous milestones. They should be able to WALK. If a parent decided No, at least their name could be read.
LET THEM WALK! Other school s doing it with social distancing. Chairs 6 feet apart, parents only. If it rains there are these things called UMBRELLAS! Don’t let them be screwed for this momentous occasion. Maybe just nice outfits vs. the $ for the white dresses and suits. If a parent decided No, at least their child’s name and college could be read.
LET THEM WALK!
It is amazing how narrow minded people are . They want a ceremony on their terms and they want it now with no compromise. Why is it such a big deal to have it postponed into July? Majority of families will spend their vacations in their backyards anyway, what’s the hurry? Unusual year, unusual circumstances call for an unusual ceremony which can be held in July. Those concerned about the heat should speak to their psychologist. I am no fan of Murphy , or Fishbein or any other bureaucrat but I am a big fan of my family well being and I am willing to sacrifice a bit of happiness for my senior for the greater good. Fall will be here in a few months and God knows what other surprise viruses will be sent our way. At least let’s make sure we can be healthy for the summer.
July is the perfect month. Sunny, hot , plenty of Vit D and with lower infection rate.