Provincial sport championships may delay high school graduation ceremonies in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Some high school students in Kamloops may have to wait an extra week before they receive their diplomas in the spring.

The proposed changes to the convocation schedule would accommodate school sports teams who could potentially reach this year’s provincial championships, according to a report from Kamloops Thompson school district assistant Supt. Alison Sidow. She will propose the schedule change to the school board during its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 14.

The later graduation dates are so student athletes don’t have to make a choice between attending their convocation ceremonies or playing in a provincial championships, Sidow explains in the report. The 2015/2016 school year began one week later than normal, Sept. 8, resulting in the conflict. Up to 100 Grade 12 students could potentially be impacted.

Valleyview Secondary, Westsyde Secondary, Sahali Secondary, South Kamloops Secondary and NorKam Secondary are all scheduled to have their graduation ceremonies the week of May 31, 2016 and each of these schools could have student athletes who qualify for the provincials in soccer, badminton, track and field or rugby.

Sidow is proposing the graduation ceremonies be moved to the week of June 7, 2016. All the ceremonies will still take place at the McArthur Island Sports Centre.

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