Burnaby parents scrambling to move Grade 7 grad events away from schools shut down by the teachers’ strike are running into a shortage of alternate sites.
“Every single venue we’ve called, every hall, every church, every community centre room, every restaurant, there were no dates available,” said Jocelyn Schonekess, a parent at Confederation Park elementary and Burnaby district parent advisory vice-chair. “Now it’s looking like our kids might not even get a farewell ceremony.”
Confederation Park parents, have even considered hosting their grad at a public park, but then kids would miss out on the slide show parents have prepared, Schonekess said.
She said Grade 7 grads may not be as big a deal as high school graduation, but students and parents at her school have fundraised throughout the year in anticipation of the event, which was also going to include the grads’ awards ceremony this year.
“I’m heartbroken,” she said. “My kid bought this cute little spaghetti-strap purple dress, and everyday it’s like, ‘Mom, have you heard anything about the farewell?’ It’s all part and parcel of the Grade 7 experience, and to not see it go through because all the elementary schools are scrambling for venues is just very frustrating.”
Confederation Park is not alone, Schonekess said.
She said she has heard the shortage forced some schools to look to surrounding communities, like New Westminster and Port Moodie, to find space.
That wasn’t an option at Windsor elementary in one of Burnaby’s lowest income neighbourhoods.
“Our families don’t have vehicles,” Grade 7 teacher Dorelle Jackson told the NOW.
Her Grade 7s, however, will get their grad, thanks to a community effort by Jackson, parents and the church on the corner.
Guessing the teacher strike would likely affect the event, which is usually held at the school on a school day, Jackson called around.
She found venues within walking distance were too expensive, and when she approached her school parent advisory council, a member suggested a nearby church, Central Christian Assembly.
Church officials welcomed the idea and volunteered their space, along with the services of an audio-video technician, free of charge.
“They’ve been fantastic, absolutely amazing,” Jackson said.
“We’re a community, and communities should stick together,” Central pastor Cam Milliken said. “I think Grade 7s deserve a grad, so we’re more than happy to open our doors to them in a time when everything seems like it’s in a bit of flux.”
Jackson handed the project over to parents before her union’s job action ended her involvement, but Windsor teachers will now be on hand at the event as guests.
“Our kids are important,” Jackson said. “They’ve earned this grad ceremony, and it is possible when we all work together and make it happen.”
