SOUTH DEERFIELD — Frontier Regional School still plans to celebrate its seniors, albeit differently — and later — than previous years.
Senior Week is currently slated for Aug. 2 to Aug. 8, with graduation scheduled for Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Frontier football field, according to Principal George Lanides.
Graduation was originally scheduled for the beginning of May, but that and other senior-related events were canceled or postponed in light of school closures and restrictions on gathering size as a result of COVID-19.
“Were hoping that the social distancing restrictions will be eased by then,” he said.
The school is also in the process of rescheduling prom for Aug. 6 and organizing a virtual awards night, he said. Details are being worked out for some sort of senior event that week.
“We’re hopeful that we’re able to move forward with this plan,” Lanides said. “If we’re unable to move forward with this plan, if social distancing norms don’t get changed, we’re going to have to move to a virtual program. But we’ve got our fingers crossed.”
Senior Class Advisor Colin Hosley said the school is trying to plan for both scenarios, just in case. He said the challenge with rescheduling was finding a week that wasn’t too soon after restrictions lifted, nor was it too late for students and athletes who may be heading off to college earlier than others.
Hosley noted that three of the senior events will effectively be the same but with modifications, and rescheduled for later in the summer. The senior event that usually takes place overnight at the YMCA has been canceled and will be replaced by an event that could happen during the day on campus.
Superintendent Darius Modestow noted that students were involved in the decision-making process.
“(Lanides and Vice Principal Scott Dredge) talked to the student leadership and they found out what they wanted,” Modestow said. “The kids were a key component in the decision-making.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne