Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 28, 2020 Pioneer Charter School of Science celebrates delayed graduation due to COVID-19 S AUGUS – As schools continue to prepare their reopening plans for the 2021 school year, 93 seniors from Pioneer Charter Schools in Everett (PCSS I) and Saugus (PCSS II) celebrated their long awaited 2020 graduations on Wednesday during two separate ceremonies at the parking lot of the PCSS II building (97 Main St.) in Saugus. The ceremonies marked the end of a tumultuous year for the 48 graduates of PCSS 1 in Everett and the 45 graduates of PCSS II in Saugus, who had to shift to online learning practically overnight as a result of COVID-19. Despite the obstacles the pandemic presented, the class of 2020 persevered and received their much overdue congratulations. “Though this was their last year of high school, it was a year of firsts for many of our students,” said PCSS CEO Barish Icin. “Their first online learning experiences, their first pandemic, and their first test of character as they gracefully handled the rites of passages in a young person’s life getting delayed. Our students have already shown they have the grit, mettle and perseverance they need to be successful as they move forward into the next chapters of their lives.” The ceremonies required special planning due to health considerations. Students and parents were invited to a drive-through graduation. Each family was given the chance to take photos at the stage with the graduate. Social distancing was enforced, and guests stayed in their cars other than to come out to take pictures as a family. The ceremony was kept short, with students turning their tassel in lieu of being handed a diploma. Personal contact was kept between immediate family members, and no communal gatherings were allowed before or after the ceremonies. Adiva Daniar, of Chelmsford, was PCSS I Valedictorian, achieving a GPA of 4.57. Andrew Thai of Malden was PCSS I Salutatorian. Gayathri Raja, of Malden, was PCSS II Valedictorian, achieving a GPA of 4.75. Patrick Orcino, of Malden, was PCSS II Salutatorian. Students from both schools excelled, with PCSS I students SESSION | FROM PAGE 10 An Act to expand take-out/ delivery options in response to COVID-19 (H.4856) COVID-19 legislation awaiting final passage An Act relative to long term care facility and elder housing COVID-19 reporting (H.4667) An Act addressing challenges faced by food and beverage establishments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (H.4774) Other enacted laws An Act financing the general governmental infrastructure of the Commonwealth (H.4932) An Act relative to collective bargaining dues (H.3854) An Act to mitigate arbovirus in the Commonwealth (H.4851) An Act regarding breakfast after the bell (H.4218) An Act relative to educationAndrew Thai of Malden PCSS I Salutatorian gaining acceptance into prestigious colleges and universities across the country, including the University of Pennsylvania, Rice University and Boston University. This year’s PCSS I graduating class earned a total of $6,550,860 in scholarships. Meanwhile, the graduates of PCSS II are set to attend universities like Boston, Brown, Emory and Tufts. The PCSS II class of 2020 earned $7,835,000 in scholarships and grants. PCSS I and II rank among the highest achieving public schools in not only the Greater Boston area, but the entire state; 100% of the students who applied received acceptance letters to college. The schools provide a strong focus on math and science, and the curriculum is balanced with a solid foundation of humanities and positive character-building in order to best prepare students for successful collegiate and professional careers. PCSS’s curriculum focuses on developing strong math and science skills, and many of the graduates plan to pursue careers in math and science. The students must pass five math and five science classes in order to graduate. Students must also complete 40 hours of community service. The school’s unique 195-day school calendar and model have consistently shown PCSS students surpassing both state and district averages in all subjects and grades. al opportunity for students (S.2412) An Act to lift the cap on kids (H.3594) An Act to support improved financial stability in higher education (H.4099) An Act requiring the handsfree use of mobile telephones while driving (H.4203) An Act modernizing tobacco control (H.4196) An Act relative to abusive practices to change sexual orientation and gender identity in minors (H.140) An Act relative to children’s health and wellness (H.4210) An Act relative to campaign fiAdiva Daniar of Chelmsford PCSS I Valedictorian nance (H.4223) An Act relative to strengthening the local and regional public health system (H.4503) An Act to protect persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities from abuse (S.2367) Other legislation awaiting final passage An Act to reduce racial inequities in maternal health (H.4818) An Act to reform police stanPatrick Orcino of Malden PCSS II Salutatorian dards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just Commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of color (H.4886) An Act enabling partnerships for growth (H.4887) An Act authorizing and accelerating transportation investment (H.4547) An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges (H.4803) An Act creating a 2050 roadmap to a clean and thriving Commonwealth (H.4933) An Act relative to transportation finance (H.4530) An Act relative to the host comGayathri Raja of Malden PCSS II Valedictorian munity agreements (H.4367) An Act relative to GreenWorks (H.3997)
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