TOMS RIVER – School administration announced that the three high schools will have a virtual graduation the evening of June 12, and the intermediate schools will have a virtual graduation earlier that afternoon.
Superintendent David Healy announced this in a letter to parents, explaining that the district is bound by the governor’s Executive Order closing schools.
Executive Orders like this one were made to slow the spread of COVID-19, because social distancing is one of the only things that works right now.
Details about the virtual graduations will be disseminated in the near future, he said. Additionally, the district hopes to have an in-person graduation when they are safe and when they are allowed by law.
The superintendent’s letter went on to say that there will be more information provided about other end-of-year events as time goes on. For example: when students can pick items up from lockers and return school property such as library books.
“I understand that these procedures are far from what we all had envisioned just several months ago. Believe me that I share in your disappointment, both as a father and as a leader of this district who counts graduation day as the highlight of every school year. We all cherish these once-in-a-lifetime occasions, recognize their significance, and wonder whether a virtual replacement, even if temporary, can come close to providing the memories and closure that our students crave and so deeply deserve,” Healy said. “These unprecedented times have imposed on us all a number of unforeseen circumstances and non-traditional measures, but the joy we derive from our students’ and children’s accomplishments is no less great. I believe, in fact, we have more to celebrate this year than any year prior.
“Our students approach the end of this year having exhibited profound resilience and remarkable capacity for remote learning, all while sacrificing the everyday delights of simply going to school. Our teachers continue to provide our students with virtual learning while working to maintain a personal and nurturing experience, not to mention caring for their own children. We commend them for this and thank all of our staff, parents, and students for working with each other in a unified and positive fashion as we navigate through these unique and challenging times,” Healy wrote.
