New guidelines and more hope for the senior class

By: Ava Coogan

May 17, 2021

As students head into the final two months of school, there is much hope for the senior class. Between senior swag bags, lawn signs, movie night, prom, senior picnic and a graduation in the works it looks like the seniors will get their happy ending after all.

As of May 10, the limit for outdoor residential gatherings has been removed. On May 15, casinos and gaming facilities can increase capacity to 50%, offices can increase capacity to 75%, gyms and fitness centers outside of the city can increase to 50%. And on May 19, New York will completely lift capacity limits on a host of businesses, including bars, restaurants, hair salons, gyms, offices, retail stores, museums, entertainment centers, theaters and others.

Most recently, the CDC dropped the mask mandate for those fully vaccinated, now many are just waiting for New York State to adopt the new guidance.

After more than a year of battling the Covid-19 Pandemic, it appears that we are getting closer to normal every day. So what do these new guidelines mean for the seniors of Colonie High?

On Saturday, June 5 at the Marriott Albany the seniors will be getting their prom. From 6:30-10:30 p.m., students will get a three course meal, traditional dance floor experience and a senior prom court. The only thing needed is proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. Prom pictures will still be held at the Crossings of Colonie and the whole senior class can be together for their prom. Masks will be required when students get up from their tables and on the dance floor.

The seniors will also be getting their graduation as ideas are being tossed around about the whole class graduating at the Times Union Center with a maximum of five guests allowed, or smaller ceremonies at the high school, the possibility of graduating together is out there. Another graduation option mentioned at senior task force meetings was the possibility of one large outdoor ceremony at Schenectady Community College. Again, for graduation proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will be required. The school is currently working on providing COVID testing for the senior class families.

Along with these two big events, many smaller things have been done for the senior class. Some of the things put together are senior “swag bags” that include fun goodies, lawn signs that can be purchased to recognize the seniors, the adopt a senior program where people are putting gifts together for the seniors, the senior movie night which will operate like a drive in with a food truck and a senior picnic is also being planned with more details to come.

As more Albany County residents get vaccinated the guidelines will keep lessening until there are none. Many lost hope after one long year, but there are brighter days to come!