OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Graduations are all about pomp and circumstance, but the graduation at Kids Can Community Early Childhood Education Center had a little less pomp due to the COVID-19.
It was a drive-through graduation. Programs distributed, caps given out and diplomas...the final and true mark of a year of education completed.
"I'm really excited, and I get to wear my cap," said Nataliah Silva.
"It was very creative; it was something that we had to adjust to with everything going on, but I am glad they were still able to celebrate graduation for pre-k," said SIlva's mom.
Kids bustling with excitement. Striking that final pose to commemorate the day.
Kids Can was temporarily closed but opened back up with smaller class sizes and gave education packets to parents as some had to teach their kids at home.
"It's called the early learning guidelines," said Jill Garrett, early childhood director. "They consisted of math, language, social/emotional opportunities, health and physical activities. We wanted to make sure, we were able to give to parents, to make that successful at home."
The drive-through graduation wasn't what they had planned for the end of the year but staff were were still excited just the same.
"Graduation is always one of our favorite days," said CEO Robert Patterson. "With COVID happening, we still wanted to celebrate but we couldn't do it like we used to do. It's also a way for teachers to say good-bye; this is the last time some of them will see these students as they move on to their elementary schools."
Kids Can serves kids 18-months to 5-years-old.
They are open Monday through Friday from 6 am until 6 pm.
