So many things going through this brain this week. Sometimes the positive is not so clear.
Truth be told, I had a special post ready for this week, but my heart has been tugging me in a different direction. So I will save that post for next week.
Have you ever heard the phase “The Devil works harder”? Figuratively or spiritually it seems often negativity wants to overpower positivity. During times of unrest when negative images and rhetoric are working hard, I turn to a certain song.
The song is called “Dear Hate” and is a letter to “Hate”. The use of this ugly word normally not worthy of an audience propels a positive message in this song.
Don’t let the name mislead you into believing that it is not about the power of love, because it is. This song was inspired by the 2015 Charleston shootings and was first sang one day prior to the 2017 massacre in Las Vegas at The Harvest Festival. Who knew it would resonate to so many the very next day.
It is a song written by Maren Morris and two other songwriters that has a powerful message that spoke to me when I first heard it a couple years back. The first lyric compares “The News to drops of rain that cover us like paint making us fear we might drown in its pain. Leaves us wondering how the world can keep spinning ’round.” An illustration of the Devil working harder to convince us that humankind is heartless.
My belief is that while flawed, humankind is nothing but heart. So history is filled with the pain of the Poison Pen, but the song continues on to let this ugliness know that “Love’s Gonna Conquer All.” We can not be fooled by the “looking glass which tries to trick us into believing that Hate is normal” because it is not.
If you look through all the “chaos and noise” there is love. If you look through history, you find love. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – The Golden Rule – and you will find love.
When life or circumstance brings you down, lift yourself up by showing kindness to others and you will find love. Misery does not love company, but rather compassion and understanding.
Some notables of kindness that stood out to me this week – The gentle protester who offered police water during these times of unrest. They had gratitude and thanked him.
Or, the 3,000 Rochesterians who came together to help out their neighbors and businesses after they fell victim to the Poison Pen of History. Or images of people of all walks of life hugging, supporting and walking together to further change without judgement or malice. That is where you find love and in that spirit “Love Can Conquer All.”
Personally I have to believe that, and that perpetuating pain of any kind is never justified. I hope this song can help heal and may Mr. Floyd, Captain Dorn and all victims of violence rest in peace and may we all hold up peace in their honor.
Share acts of love, visit my blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com and catch up on weekly photo perks and past posts. Like and share your comments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2020 at 7:39 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said churches, mosques and places of worship can reopen on Sunday, at up to 25 percent capacity with social distancing protocols in place.
The governor made the announcement today. Houses of worship had been limited to no more than 10 people.
The governor said encouraging health data in the state’s fight against Covid-19 made him feel comfortable with the announcement.
Friday was a record low of Covid-19 deaths in the state at 35 since the state put in restrictions in mid-March to slow the spread.
The governor’s announcement includes seven of the state’s 10 regions where are in Phase 2 of the reopening. That includes the Finger Lakes Region that comprises Orleans and eight other counties.
The other regions in Phase 2 include Western New York, the Capital Region, Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country and the Southern Tier.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2020 at 7:24 pm
Provided photos
MEDINA – Boy Scouts from Troop 28 in Medina held a drive-in “Scouting for Food” event today at The Grove United Methodist Church to benefit local residents.
The troop took safety precautions by wearing masks and gloves, and observing social distancing. Pictured are Adam James Horton, Hunter Walczek, Jensen Knickerbocker, Roman Vella, Nathaniel Miller and Tyler Miller with their leaders Tim Miller, Aaron Thomas and Sam Vella.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments have received notice of 4 more Covid-19 cases. Orleans has 3 new positive cases (bringing the total to 242) and Genesee has 1 (bringing the total to 195).
Contact tracing has been initiated and all who have had direct contact with the individuals will be notified by Health Department staff. All of the new positive cases are community members (outside of nursing homes or other facilities) and none of them were under quarantine prior to testing positive.
There is currently no further information to release on ages and location. Mapping to include the positive cases from the weekend will be updated on Monday afternoon.
In this morning’s address, Governor Cuomo announced churches can have services starting immediately with up to 25 percent of their building capacity. Social distancing, face coverings and proper hygiene must be followed. All churches also have to have a completed business safety plan in place. Check www.forward.ny.gov for more details.
Now that we are halfway through Phase 2 we ask residents to continue social distancing, mask wearing, and proper hygiene. Even when you are outside, the virus can be spread.
We also ask residents to be respectful of the business owners and wear masks while you are in their establishment. If you are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition, call the business and ask for curbside delivery.
We can all show people that we care and respect them by continuing these practices to keep everyone safe.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2020 at 4:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Black Lives Matter demonstrators carry signs in a walk from the intersection of routes 98 and 31 down Main Street to the Orleans County Courthouse lawn.
They were responding to the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery which have spurred nation-wide protests.
About 75 people participated in the demonstration in Albion, and they said racism exists in other ways in Orleans County, from fewer job opportunities for minorities to hearing racial slurs that start in the elementary school.
(Click here to see the demonstrators walking on a sidewalk down Main Street, chanting, “No Justice, No Peace.”)
Marquise Riddick, left, and Eboni Taylor, center, both graduated in the Class of 2013. They are college educated and both want to be teachers.
The two friends said they felt compelled to have a Black Lives Matter event in Albion. They were encouraged to see 75 people attend, and have numerous people beep their horns in support.
Taylor said Orleans County should push for more diversity in the police departments and Sheriff’s Office. She would like to see more black teachers and minorities “in official positions.”
Taylor, 25, graduated from Syracuse University. She works at a childcare center in Albion.
Riddick earned a degree at Brockport State College. He wants to be a physical education teacher.
He attended a protest on May 30 in Rochester and he said it was an empowering event.
“It was really inspiring how everyone came together in Rochester,” he said. “I wanted there to be one in the community where I grew up in.”
Marquise Riddick, who organized today’s Black Lives Matter demonstration, holds a sign – “Remember Their Names” – that highlights the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
Floyd died in custody of a Minneapolis police officer on May 25. Floyd was on the ground and died after being held down for nearly nine minutes while an officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Breonna Taylor was 26 when she was fatally shot on March 13 by Louisville Metro Police Department, who forced entry into her apartment on a no-knock search warrant. Her boyfriend fired at the officers, who he thought were intruders. Taylor was shot eight times. She worked as an EMT and would have been 27 on Friday.
Ahmaud Arbery was unarmed on a jog in Georgia when he was confronted by two white residents, Travis McMichael and his father Gregory, who were armed and driving a pickup truck. Arbery was shot and killed.
Eboni Taylor holds up a sign and other demonstrators can be seen across the street.
Ray Paull, 18, of Medina attended the demonstration and held up a Black Lives Matter sign. Paull, a white student at Oswego State College, said he hears from his black friends in Medina and Oswego how terrified they feel if they are ever stopped by police.
Paull said he wants to support the Black Lives Matters movement. “It’s not acceptable for injustices to keep happening,” he said.
Dennis Seekins of Lyndonville joined the demonstration in Albion. He thanked the organizers for giving the local residents a chance to express their support for Black Lives Matter.
A young demonstrator holds a sign near Albion’s busiest intersection.
Chanyce Powell, a 2017 Albion graduate, holds a Black Lives Matter sign during the demonstration.
After a walk from the intersection to the Courthouse Square, the group laid down for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. That’s how long George Floyd was on the ground on May 25, while the officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck.
Marquise Riddick shared Floyd’s words and pleas for help before his death. A video of Floyd in anguish and then becoming unresponsive has resulted in nationwide protests.
(Click here to see Riddick recount Floyd’s last words.)
Pastor Aleka Schmidt of the First Baptist Church attended the demonstration and holds the “I’m Listening” sign. The participants are lying face down for 8 minutes, 46 seconds as a tribute to George Floyd. The pizzas near Schmidt were donated by Crosby’s.
White people were urged to speak out if they see or hear racist comments among their friends and family, and to work against institutional racism.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2020 at 11:35 am
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Albion Police Department have sent officers and deputies to Rochester to assist with crowd control, Chris Bourke, the Orleans County sheriff, said in a conference call this morning with local elected officials.
Jeff Gifaldi, the chief deputy, was among three from the Sheriff’s Office in Rochester from noon to midnight on Friday.
Gifaldi said the demonstration was overwhelmingly peaceful.
“Going forward they are going to keep asking for our help,” Gifaldi told the elected officials this morning. “Hopefully everything can stay peaceful.”
The Sheriff’s Office will be back in Rochester today and Sunday to assist the Rochester Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The multi-jurisdictional Orleans County SWAT also will be in Batavia on Sunday morning for a Black Lives Matter demonstration that begins at 8 a.m. at City Centre and then proceeds with a walk to the Batavia Police Station at 11 a.m.
The Albion Police Department also had its K9 unit in Niagara Falls when there was a Black Lives Matters demonstration.
There were about a dozen demonstrators in Medina on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. near Rotary Park at the intersection of Main and Center streets. Mayor Mike Sidari said the young adults were peaceful.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2020 at 9:57 am
ALBION – A peaceful protest for Black Lives Matter is planned for noon today in Albion. Participants are urged to gather at the intersection of routes 98 and 31.
“We hope to bring awareness to the community and demonstrate our support of Black Lives Matter,” Marquise Riddick, the organizer, posted on Facebook. “We want Justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and for every black person, past and present, that has had their lives taken unjustly.”
After the demonstration at the intersection, some of the group members then plans to walk down Main Street to the Orleans County Courthouse in honor of George Floyd.
Riddick urges people to maintain social distancing, wear a mask and bring a bottle to water to stay hydrated.
“If you do not feel comfortable protesting, drive by, honk, or wave in support,” he said. “We understand that there are more than one way to show support for the movement.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 June 2020 at 8:29 am
MAAC will shift to ‘touchless donation’ system
The Thrift Shop later this month expects to reopen with restrictions.
MEDINA – Cleaning out closets and cupboards is something everyone puts on the back burner, waiting for a rainy day.
And now volunteers at MAAC’s Thrift Shop in Medina fear they are going to be bombarded with donations which people just can’t wait to get rid of.
The Thrift Store is scheduled to open on a limited basis and with restrictions on June 22.
Sue Metzo, a member of MAAC’s board and a volunteer at the Thrift Shop, said they met Thursday afternoon to discuss plans for reopening the store, which has been closed since March 16, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Metzo said they have heard many people say due to being shut in at home, they have finally had the time to sort out those unneeded and unwanted items and now need to dispose of them.
Metzo has searched online for guidelines for thrift stores and thinks they have followed all the rules set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Department of Health.
First of all, she said they will only accept clean, gently used items. The chutes on the Orient Street side of the building will remain closed. Donations will be accepted starting June 15 using a “touchless donation” system. This means the donor will have to wear a face mask and will be directed to place donations in a specified area, allowing for social distancing.
“We have created three areas in a very limited space where items can be quarantined,” Metzo said. “They will have to stay there, untouched, for three days. Therefore, donations will be limited to two bags of clothing per family, per week.”
They will not accept any contractor-size bags, truck loads or trunk loads at this time. Household items will be limited by size, such as one piece of small furniture or one large tote of small household items.
Customers must wear a mask and will be limited to 10 in the store at one time. Hand sanitizer will be used at the door. No children will be allowed and only one family member at a time. Shopping time will be limited to accommodate more shoppers. Social distancing must be maintained while in the store and at the checkout counter.
Temporary store hours will be 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. There will be no Tuesday evening hours at this time.
The Thrift Shop board, which includes Metzo, Donna Barnum, Alice Zacher and Sharon Breckenridge, have followed all the guidelines for a Phase II opening, which includes thoroughly disinfecting everything and installing plexiglass at the register, Metzo said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 June 2020 at 5:25 pm
Businesses urged to have plans in place for Phase 3 of reopening
Orleans County has one new confirmed case of Covid-19, a person in the 30s who lives in Yates, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said this afternoon.
The new positive case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Orleans has now had 239 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Three more county residents have also recovered from the coronavirus, bringing the total recoveries to 83.
The Health Departments reported that 16 from Orleans are currently hospitalized with Covid-19.
In Genesee County, two more people tested positive for Covid-19, both are from Batavia. One is in the 30s and the other is in the 40s. One of the new positive cases was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
Genesee has also had five more people recover from Covid-19, bringing that total to 132. No one from Genesee is currently hospitalized with Covid-19, the Health Departments reported.
Paul Pettit, the public health director for the two counties, urged local residents to continue vigilance with social distancing and wearing a facial covering when in public around other people.
He thanked residents for their precautions to slow the spread of the virus. He said that is helping the county and Finger Lakes Region advance on a methodical march to reopening the economy.
If the region doesn’t see a significant increase in hospitalizations from Covid-19, Pettit said the county and region could advance to Phase 3 of businesses reopening. That could happen next Friday, but Pettit said that announcement with come from the governor’s office.
Cuomo last Friday announced businesses could move to Phase 2 of the reopening, but that announcement didn’t come until 1 in the afternoon.
Pettit urged businesses to have their plans in place for protecting employees and the public from Covid-19. Those plans should include keeping people 6 feet apart, wearing masks, sanitizing common areas, frequent cleaning and Plexiglass or other dividers between the public and employees.
The plans don’t need to be approved by the Health Department, but they need to be done to show businesses understand the guidelines and have implemented them. Pettit said the local health department can provide some assistance if businesses aren’t sure how to proceed.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state has reached the lowest number of deaths and hospitalizations since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
Yesterday, 42 people in New York passed away due to Covid-19, down from a record-high of 800 just eight weeks ago.
“We have the lowest number of deaths from coronavirus that we have had since this started – 42 people passed yesterday,” Cuomo said. “While our hearts ache for those families who lost loved ones yesterday, just eight weeks ago, we had 800 deaths per day.”
The number of total hospitalizations was down yesterday to 2,728 from a record-high of 18,825 during the peak of the pandemic.
“The people of the state radically changed how they behaved, and look at that progress: lowest number of hospitalizations to date in a matter of weeks,” the governor said. “Today’s achievement is proof we know we can change, and we know we can change dramatically when we work together.”
The governor also confirmed 1,075 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 376,208 confirmed cases in New York State.
‘We also must ask those politicians and other leaders in the communities who continually speak of “systemic racism” in our police agencies for their own political advantage to refrain from such unfounded and incendiary comments. It is disgusting conduct, which itself fuels racism on all sides, and leads to worse, not better race relations in this country.’
Press Release, New York State Sheriffs’ Association
As professional law enforcement officers who have dedicated their careers to saving lives and helping people in need, the Sheriffs of New York State condemn the senseless, shocking action of the officer who unjustifiably took the life of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.
It was against everything we stand for, everything we train for and everything we demand and rightfully expect from our police officers.
We also condemn those who, since then, have used that great injustice as an excuse to commit other senseless, brutal acts which unjustly deprive more innocent people of their lives, their livelihood, their life savings and their livable communities.
We are sworn to uphold the Constitution and we fully support the Constitutional right of all citizens to peacefully assemble, protest and petition their government for desired change. As Constitutional officers who have been given the duty of Conservators of the Peace in the counties, we know that conserving the peace does not mean just keeping everyone calm. It means assuring an atmosphere where all citizens can enjoy their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without having those rights unduly infringed upon by others.
Thus while we will do all we can to accommodate and protect those who feel compelled to publicly display, in a peaceful way, their justifiable outrage at the way George Floyd died, we will not condone or accommodate in any way those who would deprive others of their rights by hijacking those legitimate displays of concern to turn them into opportunities to assault, murder, loot, burn and spread anarchy.
We also must ask those politicians and other leaders in the communities who continually speak of “systemic racism” in our police agencies for their own political advantage to refrain from such unfounded and incendiary comments. It is disgusting conduct, which itself fuels racism on all sides, and leads to worse, not better race relations in this country. Instead we would welcome them to engage with us in open and honest discussions on how we can enhance community relations while regaining the public’s trust in law enforcement through fact-based studies and training.
Deputy Sheriffs and all law enforcement officers suffer because irresponsible leaders paint them with a broad brush. There are 800,000 police officers in this country. The inexcusable action of one police officer in Minneapolis cannot be used to justify labelling all 800,000 dedicated, hard-working police officers as racist.
We know of no police officer who condones the actions of that one rogue cop in Minneapolis. They, like most citizens, were sickened to see that video, but we also know that it is not representative of the 53.5 million contacts that law enforcement has with civilians annually. We know of no police officer who joined the force because they saw it as a license to kill or abuse others. Most police officers join out of a simple desire to help people… of any race.
Most police officers have shown more helpfulness, and personal compassion and kindness toward down-and-out citizens… black, brown, yellow or white… than have any of the self-righteous politicians and others who sow hatred and distrust of the police with their irresponsible rhetoric. Those politicians, when they finish their rants, can then go home to their mansions and comfortable homes, secure in the knowledge that the police officers which they just maligned will continue to do their duty to protect them and all the citizens of their communities, even though their job has been made doubly more difficult by race-baiting rhetoric.
There is one thing upon which we and critics of the police can agree: there is distrust of the police in many minority communities. We Sheriffs work hard to build public trust in law enforcement. The training of our Deputy Sheriffs includes extensive training in community relations, anti-racism, recognizing implicit bias, and proper use of force. This training results in officers who are sensitive to the need for racial neutrality in enforcing the law, and their enforcement decisions are based upon a person’s conduct, not their color. That plain fact is, of course, contrary to the popular narrative.
In conclusion, the Sheriffs of New York make a commitment to our communities. We, and our citizens, desire a society where all can live in true peace. While each of us as Sheriffs have outreach, in some form, to community and religious groups and to minority organizations and minority communities, it is clear that more has to be done to combat the false view of police as the oppressors, which has been inculcated into many minority communities, and which allows opportunists to take advantage of such things as the George Floyd tragedy to foment more hatred and more chaos.
The Sheriffs of New York, through our New York State Sheriffs’ Association, will immediately undertake the task of strengthening , in an organized way, the ties between Sheriffs’ Offices and minority communities and organizations in the counties across the State, with a goal of affirmatively demonstrating that our desire is to serve all citizens, and as the Conservators of the Peace in the counties, to secure to those citizens true peace, which means the opportunity to enjoy life, liberty and happiness in a just world.
On behalf of the Sheriffs of New York State,
Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy
President, New York State Sheriffs’ Association
(Editor’s Note: Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke also signed his name to the statement from Murphy.)
Legislation would prohibit false race-based 911 reports and make them a crime
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the “Say Their Name” reform agenda following the murder of George Floyd and an ongoing pattern of police brutality against minority communities across the nation.
The Governor said he will work with the State Legislature to get these policies done next week.
“Mr. Floyd’s murder was the breaking point of a long list of deaths that were unnecessary and abusive, and people are saying enough is enough, we must change and we must stop the abuse,” Cuomo said.
The list of policy priorities builds on earlier proposals he called for in the immediate aftermath of the killing of George Floyd and prior executive actions he has taken including appointing the Attorney General as a special prosecutor in matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement.
The ‘Say Their Name’ Reform agenda includes:
Allow for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers by reforming 50-a of the civil rights law;
Banning chokeholds by law enforcement officers;
Prohibiting false race-based 911 reports and making them a crime; and
Designating the Attorney General as an independent prosecutor for matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement.
“Stopping police abuse vindicates the overwhelming majority – 99.9 percent – of police who are there to do the right thing,” Cuomo said. “It restores the confidence, the respect, and the trust that you need to make this relationship work. You have to heal the police-community relationship for the sake of the police and for the sake of the community. As the progressive capital of the nation New York should be at the forefront of this movement, and I want to work with the Legislature to pass these policy priorities next week to reform our systems and put a stop to this abuse once and for all.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 June 2020 at 12:52 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Staff and volunteers from the Orleans County Office for the Aging helped run a food distribution this morning at the parking lot for the Main Street Thrift Store at the corner of Main and Chamberlain streets.
The OFA staff are shown on Chamberlain Street. The vehicles stretched down Chamberlain for several blocks to McKinistry Street. The cars were lined down McKinistry and then down East Park Street.
Volunteers and staff from Community Action of Orleans & Genesee helped with the distribution today.
This was the first food distribution that was expanded from one box to three. Foodlink had been providing a box for 300 people at the food distributions.
The schedule for June includes:
• Friday, June 12 – Medina Calvary Cupboard, Medina, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Friday, June 19 – Community Action, Main Street Store, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Friday, June 26 – Holley Community Center, former Save-A-Lot grocery store parking lot, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
This new round of food distributions introduces a new state-funded program called Nourish New York. This funding allows Foodlink to purchase local product.
Some of the Foodlink product also is from the federal USDA’s new initiative called CFAP (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program). In this program, distributors who would normally serve schools, restaurants, and municipal programs are able to pre-pack boxes of perishable product and deliver to distributions being done all over the country, said Melissa Blanar, OFA director in Orleans County.
Three different trucks delivered the food this morning. The boxes were in three groups: mixed dairy, cooked meat and produce. Each box was about 25 pounds.
Jo Canale, left, and Carolyn Flansburg carry boxes to a truck of an elderly resident.
The expanded distributions are expected to continue through August.
Cars are lined up East Park Street, then down McKinistry and Chamberlain streets for the distribution.
The distribution started at 9:30 and by 11 all 900 boxes were gone with 300 people each getting three boxes. There were some extra boxes and some other people were able to get one box. Altogether, 326 vehicles received at least one box.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 June 2020 at 10:56 am
ALBION – Banners honoring soldiers from Albion are expected to be in place on Main Street and downtown Albion by the July 4th holiday.
Raleigh’s Outdoor Decor in Bethlehem Pa. is manufacturing the banners. The top image shows the design for 14 of the 33 banners in the debut of the program.
Albion Mayor Eileen Banker has coordinated the effort. Her father, the late John Pahura, is one of the soldiers who will be recognized with a banner, which will be 2 ½ feet by 5 feet.
“I’m some excited,” Banker said this morning. “They look wonderful.”
Families or loved ones of the soldiers paid the cost for the banners. Banker expects delivery of the banners later this month, in time for them to be up before July 4.
She has seen the banners in Holley, Medina and Brockport and said the display of portraits sends a powerful message.
“We should honor our veterans, the ones who are serving now and who come before us,” she said. “They made this country.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 June 2020 at 9:36 pm
Commencements could go on with social distancing and limited audience, 42 Assembly members write to Cuomo
The 42 Republicans in the Assembly Minority Conference, including Steve Hawley of Batavia and Michael Norris of Lockport, are asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to give local school districts more options for holding graduation ceremonies beyond the drive-in and drive-through opportunities announced today.
Will Barclay, minority leader, and the other Republican Assembly members asked the governor to give high schools across the state a chance to hold socially distanced, in-person commencement ceremonies.
The restrictions with the drive-through graduation will greatly diminish what should be a milestone for young people across the state, the conference said in a letter today to the governor.
“The impact of COVID-19 on New York’s students has been especially jarring, as valuable classroom time disappeared, social routines were disrupted and students were forced to miss out on many benefits of student life,” Barclay said. “Let’s give them back this one, important event and try to fill some of the void left by this terrible pandemic. We believe with proper planning and execution, these events could safely be hosted in the near future and provide some much-needed normalcy in these trying times.”
The Assembly Minority’s letter points out traditional graduation ceremonies would provide a sense of closure for students who were so abruptly removed from their regular academic experiences, and have worked tirelessly to achieve educational excellence.
“This has been an extremely trying year for New York students. Now that many regions are seeing substantial drops in COVID-19 cases, it is time not just for reopening the economy, but for repairing the building blocks of our communities. I can think of no better place to do that than in our schools,” said Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, the Assembly Minority Ranker on Education. “Graduating high school is a tremendous accomplishment, and the Class of 2020 and their families deserve to celebrate those accomplishments.”
The Assembly members said students have been isolated at home for nearly three months. A graduation ceremony with the classmates all together would give them a chance to celebrate and say goodbye.
“We should allow our schools the opportunity to host graduation ceremonies, perhaps outside later in the summer with limited guests, while respecting any needed social distancing guidelines applicable at that point in time,” according to the letter. “This will allow students to be recognized for their achievements and accomplishments. We must honor the hard work of our students, especially in these challenging times. There is no more fitting way to do that than to host a graduation ceremony.”
