Large protests, small graduations… Gordon shares his take. Speaking of graduations, get the scoop on what local districts are doing for their ceremonies with the newly issued guidelines and lots more below.
Large Protests, Small Graduations…
Never before have we had the convergence of circumstances we are seeing now.
The region is hesitantly and tentatively reopening as healthcare officials warn of a possible COVID-19 surge.
And if that weren’t enough, citizens protesting the death of George Floyd are taking to the streets, as they did in Glens Falls on Friday, marching for racial equality and social justice.
A vast majority of the marchers wore masks and tried to keep social distance, but large gatherings go against the advice of most medical experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official.
And now Governor Andrew Cuomo has established new guidelines for high school graduations, limiting them to outdoor ceremonies with a maximum of 150 people. That total includes graduates, faculty, staff, administrators and family and friends.
Some are questioning how thousands of people can get together and protest but graduations are still being limited, depriving our high school seniors of a meaningful and traditional rite of passage.
I argue that they are separate and distinct situations. Protesters are gathering of their own free will, fully aware of the risks and potential consequences. But high school graduations are a different issue.
School districts are tasked with keeping their students and staff safe. They are getting their marching orders from the state. Many local districts are coming up with creative ways to honor their graduating seniors. Will it be the same? No. And that’s truly a shame.
But the school districts are responsible for the health and safety of everyone who attends a graduation ceremony. Protesters are gathering freely, expressing their First Amendment rights.
If someone gets sick after protesting, that’s the risk they took. They can’t sue anyone.
But if someone gets sick attending a high school graduation, guess what? The school district may be liable. The school district could get sued.
That’s the difference.
I understand why those question how protesters can gather in the thousands, but graduations are limited in attendance. I get it.
But as we maneuver through this COVID-19 pandemic, let’s all take a deep breath and remember that we still don’t know a lot about the virus, and any precaution we can take to try to ensure the health and safety of everyone are precautions worth taking.
Speaking of Graduations… The Latest on Local Ceremonies
With Governor Andrew Cuomo’s new guidelines on high school graduations, local districts are announcing their plans to honor their seniors.
Gov. Cuomo says the state will permit outdoor, socially distanced graduations of up to 150 people starting June 26.
"Schools need to plan," Cuomo said Sunday. "With the progress we've made so far, and if we continue this trajectory, we'll be able to do that." The announcement is subject to any large spikes or changes in the numbers, he said.
Here’s what we know about local graduation ceremonies, as of Wednesday morning:
• Glens Falls will hold a diploma ceremony on the morning of June 26, with June 27 as the rain date. The ceremony will be an in-person event on the football field at the High School. All attendees will be required to wear masks and to observe social distancing throughout the event. This event will also be live-streamed.
“In addition to the diploma ceremony, our virtual graduation ceremony will be live-streamed on June 26th at 7:00 PM. It will also air on channel 8. This online ceremony will feature student speeches, musical performances, and a commencement address from this year’s speaker, Jimmer Fredette.
“We truly appreciate the flexibility and patience the GF Nation has shown in recent weeks. We are working hard to give our seniors the safest and most creative graduation celebration we are able to deliver.”
Superintendent Paul Jenkins told Glens Falls Living that “We are waiting to see how many more changes Cuomo makes before we finalize the details of what we can do...or can’t do! The 150-person limit would not allow for one ceremony with students and families. We still have three weeks for him to change something yet again. Stay tuned.”
• Queensbury Union Free School District Superintendent Kyle Gannon announced, “To accommodate our (293) graduates and their families…we have planned eight ceremonies spanning two days, Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. [Each ceremony will include about 37 graduates].
“Graduates will arrive at a designated time (organized by last name) for their ceremony. Specific details, including safety guidelines and the schedule of these events, will be emailed to students and their families by the end of the week. Please note, to adhere to the maximum of 150 attendees per ceremony, graduates will be allowed two guests.
“A professional photographer will be present to photograph all of the ceremonies. At 7 p.m. on June 27, we will release the pre-produced virtual graduation video on the district YouTube channel.
“As always, thank you for your continued cooperation, patience and support as we worked through this ever-evolving situation to give our seniors a celebration to remember. We could not be happier to share this news with you and we are so excited to be able to see your students cross our stage.”
• South Glens Falls Superintendent Kristine Orr says a full class graduation ceremony for its 230 graduates will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 8:30 p.m., at the Glen Drive-In on Route 9 in Queensbury. The ceremony will be live-streamed so those who cannot attend can watch it. In addition, possible smaller-group in-person recognition could occur on Friday, June 26, Ms. Orr said.
“By June 22, if Governor Cuomo adjusts restrictions to allow us to hold smaller, in-person events, we will announce a plan for these. We need a minimum of a 300-person limit to make this happen. If the restrictions stay below a 300-person limit, we will not be adding additional small group, in-person celebrations. The district will inform families on June 22 whether or not the additional in-person events will be taking place.”
• Hudson Falls plans to hold three in-person graduation ceremonies on the football field on Saturday, June 27, with the rain date of Sunday, June 28, high school principal Jim Bennefield said Wednesday.
The three sessions will be at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hudson Falls anticipates having between 140 and 150 graduates. Each session will feature 45-50 graduates.
• Fort Edward plans an outdoor in-person graduation for its 31 graduates on Friday, June 26 in the late afternoon or early evening. Superintendent Dan Ward told Glens Falls Living that the ceremony will likely take place on the front lawn of the school, which provides more shade than the football field. Rain date is Saturday, June 27.
“We are still proceeding with our virtual graduation ceremony planning,” Mr. Ward said. “We’re trying to cover all of our bases. We will be posting updates on our website.”
• Lake George is still solidifying plans for its graduation. A post on the district’s website Wednesday morning says, “For LGHS Seniors (12th grade) and parents/guardians of 12th graders, we understand and directly know that the uncertainty surrounding the graduation ceremony is of utmost concern.
“We have been fully exploring all options and are awaiting further guidance and will announce tentative plans soon. We appreciate your patience as we try to close out this school year in a positive and memorable way while adhering to the most relevant and current guidance information.
“We can assure everyone that we have been discussing graduation options at length. We are trying our best to preserve the opportunity to hold some sort of in-person and perhaps outside ceremony, which is what a lot of feedback has stated. The delay in defining the ceremony structure and date is to see if the state is going to relax restrictions and allow for an in-person ceremony.
“With all this stated: We are still hopeful for some sort of ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2020 @ 9:00 AM with a "rain-date" of Sunday, June 28, 2020 @ 4:00 PM. There also exists the potential for some sort of ceremony either the first or second week of July 2020 or thereabouts. (That is the time-frame we are attempting to work within). We hope to share specific information soon and appreciate your continued patience.”
What Else is New?
• Balloon Festival is Grounded for 2020: The Official Adirondack Balloon Festival Facebook page announced today that this year’s event will be cancelled.
“The most important part in planning in an event of this magnitude is safety. Safety is not only for our balloon pilots, but also includes our spectators, law enforcement, public works, fire and rescue staff, vendors, volunteers, musical acts, and our landowners in the region. This is an unprecedented decision for us and one we did not take lightly. Our decision process included discussions with state officials and the Federal Aviation Administration officials as well. This event is for the community by the community. We have a responsibility to make certain social distancing occurs and we do not feel we could make that happen with the tens of thousands of people who attend our event,” said Mark Donahue, President of the Festival’s Board of Directors.
Dates for next year’s festival will be September 23-26, 2021.
• Lake George Steamboat Company Sets Sail: Lake George Steamboat Company announced that the Mohican will sail starting this weekend, June 13 and 14.
“She will be sailing four one-hour cruises,” they said on Facebook.
The Lac du Saint Sacrement “will start sailing on daily luncheon trips starting on Wednesday, June 17th and daily dinner trips on Saturday, June 20th! This included the Prime Rib cruise on Sunday nights and the St. Louis Ribs cruise on Monday nights!”
The Minne-Ha-Ha will start sailing on her one-hour cruises on June 27th and 28th. All Minne Ha Ha and Mohican one-hour cruises this summer will be going out at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30pm, and 7:30 p.m.
“This will allow us enough time to clean the ship and get it ready for the next cruise and make sure that we can offer the safest possible environment to our customers! Unfortunately we will not be able to serve food and drinks on any cruises (except the luncheon and dinner cruises) until July 1st.”
More info here.
• Take A Bite to Begin in August: Glens Falls Collaborative announces Take-A-Bite is scheduled to begin in August!
A press release said the popular Wednesday evening series where visitors can stroll and dine outdoors enjoying live music, will be held Wednesdays starting in August from 5 to 7 p.m.
“The dates, of course, are subject to change as regulations due to COVID-19 dictate what is permitted,” said a press release.
In addition, Wing Fest has been tentatively rescheduled to Saturday, October 10, from noon to 3 p.m.
Pet Fest is set for Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And the Grandma’s Table dining event is on the calendar for Sunday, August 16, from 4 to 6 p.m.
More info here.
• I Bird NY: The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the start of the 2020 "I BIRD NY" challenges for beginner and experienced birders.
“New York State is home to a wide range of habitats that support more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. In New York, there are also 59 designated Bird Conservation Areas to safeguard and enhance bird populations and habitats on State lands and waters across the state. The State's I Bird NY program provides resources for New Yorkers who would like to get outdoors and engage in birding all year long.
“The joy of birdwatching is experienced by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, enjoying birds can be done without any special equipment. DEC is hosting its annual which is open to anyone 16 years of age and younger.
“To complete the Beginner's Birding Challenge, participants must identify 10 common New York bird species and submit their challenge sheet to DEC. Entries can be mailed or emailed. All participants in this challenge will receive a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories.”
• Palmertown Ridge Plans Taking Shape: In 2017, the Open Space Institute, in partnership with Saratoga PLAN and local partners, created the Southern Palmertown Range Community Conservation and Recreation Strategy, a conservation and recreation road map from Moreau Lake State Park to Saratoga Springs.
And this 13-mile corridor just added 84 crucial acres in Greenfield that will now establish 350 scores of protected land connected to Lincoln Mountain State Forest.
“The Greentree Lake Addition property is a key linkage in the…proposed 13-mile trail that will ultimately connect Moreau Lake and Saratoga Spa State Parks.”
More info here.
• Lavenlair Farm in Whitehall Closed for the Season: Lavenlair Farm announced “we're unable to welcome visitors for U-Pick, photography and events at the farm this summer. We are so grateful for your ongoing support of Lavenlair Farm. Fresh lavender bouquets will be available at Walker's Farm Home & Tack once the lavender starts blooming in a few weeks. And our full line of lavender products continues to be available on our website, www.lavenlairfarm.com.”
COVID-19, County by County
In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the number of new cases continues to fall. As of Wednesday morning, Warren County had no critically ill COVID-19 patients for the first time since May 20. Warren County Health Services documented no new COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday morning, and has one new case confirmed over the past 12 days. There were also no additional recoveries noted.
In Warren County, 27 of their 33 deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. There have been 244 confirmed cases overall in Warren County, not including cases that were presumed to be COVID-19. 231 residents have recovered.
Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 210 total cases since the pandemic began. 191 residents have recovered, with six cases still active. One Washington County resident was hospitalized as of Wednesday.
Saratoga County reports 17 deaths with 509 confirmed cases overall, and four people hospitalized as of Wednesday. 458 residents have recovered, and there are 35 active cases, down 12 from last week at this time.
NY State reports through June 8th that 15 residents of Glens Falls Center in Queensbury have died, with another five deaths presumed to be related to the virus. But Glens Falls Center reports no new cases, which is great news. Eleven residents of Fort Hudson in Fort Edward have died, but Fort Hudson administrators say there are no new cases there. That’s more good news. Five residents of The Pines in Glens Falls have died, with two additional presumed cases.
At Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Fort Ann, the state reports that as of June 9th, a total of 41 inmates had been infected. All 41 have recovered. That is exceptionally good news. At Washington Correctional Facility across the street, there are no inmates currently infected, with two having tested negative in May. More good news.
Until next time -
Gordon
