MONTAGUE — The Class of 2020 is grappling with what has become an unusual graduation season, due to restrictions on large public gatherings that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seniors at Turners Falls High School, probably like at most other high schools, are reportedly less than thrilled.
“They’re heartbroken,” said Jen Luciano, a seventh-grade teacher at Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School. “This is an exciting time of year, and they’re missing out.”
What will become of traditional year-end events, like prom and the graduation ceremony, is not yet clear. School administrators have mentioned it may be possible to hold them later this summer, but can’t say for sure yet.
In the meantime, school staff came up with a way to recognize graduating seniors without a social gathering.
On Friday afternoon, about 40 school staff members, police officers and community volunteers held a surprise parade that stopped at the homes of all 49 graduating seniors — spread across Montague, Gill and Erving, plus a few in Greenfield and Northfield — to drop off a yard sign for the student.
