By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
UPPER TOWNSHIP — With social-distancing and public gathering restrictions still in place, the Upper Township School District was unable to hold its standard promotion ceremony for its eighth-graders in the gym this year.
In its place, the district held a drive-through commencement ceremony for its eighth-graders Wednesday, June 17, at Upper Township Middle School.
Families lined up in their vehicles along Perry Road and entered the school parking lot, where bands of teachers waved signs, pom-poms and banners and shouted out congratulations as the students rolled along.
Teachers Elizabeth Cook, Michelle Drewnowski, Becca Jackson and Grace Traa were among those from the primary and elementary schools taking part in the celebration of graduation.
Traa said the district wanted to “show how much they mean to us and how much we care about them.”
Since most of the students would be attending Ocean City High School and others going to various other institutions around the county in the fall, all would be leaving the district in their past.
“We’re celebrating the end of their time at Upper Township schools but letting them know that they are still part of our family,” Traa said.
The vehicles made their way through the parking lot as teachers such as Lee Winterbottom and Karen Volpe — holding a sign that read “Make the impossible possible” — cheered them on.
At a designated spot, students jumped out of their car and donned a cap and gown with the help of teacher Tracey LeFever.
“We are trying our best to make a very memorable experience for them under trying circumstances,” LeFever said.
Graduate Elise Becker was escorted by father Paul Becker, mother Holly Becker, brother Cole Becker and Madeline Rowe.
“It’s an amazing day. She is one of the Beckers of a long line of Beckers, and may be the last one to graduate from here for possibly decades,” Paul Becker said. “So it’s really important.”
Garbed in their ceremonial duds, the students then got a chance to walk across a stage as Principal Jeff Leek announced their names.
“Upper Township is a K to 8 school district, so this is their last time with us before they move on and become Ocean City students. We are celebrating their time at the middle school,” Leek said.
Peter Arsenault, with his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Stella, 10, was pleased with the event.
“It’s great. We are very thankful for it,” he said. “I think it was needed.”
Director of Curriculum Adrienne Breitinger, stationed at the poster-signing table, said just as the district had to adjust really quickly to make sure there was continuity of instruction when the schools shut down, it also had to act fast to arrange such an event.
“I think it’s a great way for kids to celebrate moving onto high school and the district did a fantastic job making the adjustment in order for the coronavirus,” she said. “I think it gives kids their moment. It gives us an opportunity to individually recognize kids.”
She said the staff was also enjoying getting to see the students again after abruptly being absent their company in March.
“I think it’s really nice to be together after being away from each other for such a long time,” Breitinger said.
Students also received their diploma, a personalized yard sign and a swag bag, which included a $50 Amazon gift card from the Parent Teacher Association, a coupon for free Johnson’s Popcorn and a graduation magazine produced by The Upper Township Sentinel.
“If everyone had it their way we’d be in the gym and having a regular ceremony, but we put it out to a vote to the community members on what they wanted and this won by a landslide,” Leek said. “It’s the best we could do in a not-so-best situation.”
Superintendent Vince Palmieri said it was the first opportunity for the district to really individualize the moment.
“We’re just trying to make this as special an occasion as possible under the circumstances,” he said. “We were willing and able to make whatever plans were necessary.”
