BRYAN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement Friday to close public and private schools for the rest of the school year has left many disappointed. The unfortunate news is not keeping local students and staff down for too long.
“We all realize it’s for safety," said Lane Buban, the principal for Bryan High School. "It’s for our kid’s safety, it’s for our staff’s safety, we understand and respect that.”
A thought going through a lot of educator’s minds during this time of uncertainty; what about the class of 2020?
“It’s sad because you think about those rights of passage for seniors," Buban said.
Bryan ISD has set dates for high school graduations and is looking to release more details about prom and other events in the next week. Seniors are still keeping their spirits up high.
“It is one of those things where it is the only way to look at it (positively)," said Caleb Merrell, a senior at Bryan High School. "If you look down at it then it’s going to be an experience that you’re going to regret and if you look at it with a positive attitude then you’ll remember the good memories with your friends.”
In this unique situation, school staff are still finding ways to support their students whether that be through online classwork or hosting events like Monday's Graduation Yard Sign Pickup. The senior class went to their Bryan ISD high school and picked up-graduation signs to place in front of their yards. Students were able to give quick greetings to teachers and staff while doing so.
“It feels good to know that we’re at home and they’re still thinking about us and they’re taking the time to make sure that our high school experience, though different, is something that is extremely memorable," Merrell said.
Campuses may no longer have students and teachers roaming the halls, but outside in parking lots, people’s front yards, seniors will still be celebrated.
“We care about our seniors and we care about the fact that they’re not getting to do the things that they normally would do," Buban said.
Seniors are excited about what new memories are still to come.
“I think it’s fitting for the class of 2020, I think we’re a little different," Merrell said.
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