durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | | 12 High schools in Durham will be marking graduation with in-person ceremonies this June, news that has been met with excitement. However, some families are questioning the costs that come along with grad -- especially as the rising price of gas, groceries and other essentials puts pressure on people's bank accounts. Jacqueline Bonnici says she was surprised to learn her daughter, a Grade 12 student at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School, has to pay a $90 graduation fee. Bonnici, a single mother of three, says it's unfair, especially to low-income families. "Whether you can afford it or not, $90 is too much," she says, noting the graduation amount is on top of costs for school uniforms, prom and an activity fee charged by the high school. School boards in Durham don't have a central fee that is charged for graduation -- individual high schools set fees based on the events they have planned. The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) says its fees range from $70 to $100, which covers a long list of items including: caps and gowns, diplomas and awards, a grad composite photo; individual photo of each graduate; grad breakfast and catering; hall rental; decorations; and police for traffic control. "The fee is mandatory for students to participate in the ceremony; however, every DCDSB school supports students in need and will cover the cost for them if a family cannot afford the graduation fee," the school board says in a statement. All school boards in Durham say they will cover the cost of grad fees for students who can't afford to pay. However, Pickering parent Christine Lowe says asking for financial help can be embarrassing for families. She has a blended family that includes two teens graduating from high school this year as well as younger teens. "It seems like we're giving money to the schools every few days for one thing or another," she says. "It's a lot for families when we're ... already paying for schools through our taxes." The Durham District School Board notes graduation fees vary from school to school, but are "not mandatory to attend graduation." For example, in past years Brooklin High School charged a $25 grad fee to offset the costs of a cap and gown, photo and memory book, while Pine Ridge Secondary School has previously charged $35 for a cap, gown and tassel, photo and grad barbecue. A the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), grad fees range from $30 to $40. "Fees cover different things at different schools, as some schools rent out space in the community for the graduation ceremony, while others can accommodate graduation ceremonies within the school facility," a statement from PVNCCDSB notes. At Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, the grad fee ranges from $20 to $25 and is not mandatory. DURHAM PARENTS QUESTION HIGH SCHOOL GRAD FEES High schools in Durham set graduation fees based on the events they have planned. Fees can vary from $25 to $100 and financial assistance is available. Ryan Pfeiffer/Metroland JILLIAN FOLLERT jfoller t@durhamregion.com NEWS 'WHETHER YOU CAN AFFORD IT OR NOT, $90 IS TOO MUCH,' SAYS CONCERNED PARENT After seeing a social media comment calling drag queens "mentally ill," organizers of Durham's Drag Queen Storytime released a statement explaining why the event is important for local youth and families. "We are involved because kids and parents who identity as LGBT2SQ+ need to know that organizations in our communities and the people at those organizations support, respect and care about them, and will stand up and advocate for them," said a statement from Youth Pride Durham. The organizers are concerned about the unkind social media comment, particularly because: Approximately 10 per cent of the community identifies as LGBTQ. LGBTQ youth are at risk from higher rates of depression and anxiety; more likely to use drugs and alcohol; at greater risk of homelessness and suicide; and have an increase risk of violence, abuse and exploitation. 68 per cent of LGBTQ youth experience family rejection. In 2019, Drag Queen Storytime launched in Durham through a partnership between Youth Pride Durham and local libraries. For the next two years, the COVID-19 pandemic made in-person events impossible. It was just one way that LGBTQ children and youth face increased social isolation during the pandemic, explained Youth Pride Durham. This June, Drag Queen Storytime returns in-person to eight local libraries. Here's why the organizers think Durham needs Drag Queen Storytime: Literacy: Storytime encourages a child's love of reading while featuring books that celebrate inclusion. Fun: Celebrating judgment-free self-expression and dress-up fun for the readers and kids in the audience. Diversity: Age-appropriate stories that include all aspects of race, age, ability, language, gender identity and sexual orientation. Respect: The event challenges biases that can lead to more entrenched intolerance and encourages families to respect everyone regardless of differences. Community: Bringing people together to revel in a love of books and community diversity. For Pride Month, children and their caregivers are invited to Drag Queen Storytimes at their local library: Ajax -- Wednesday, June 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ajax Public Library main branch, 55 Harwood Ave. S. Pickering -- Wednesday, June 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pickering Public Library central branch, 1 The Esplanade S. Oshawa -- Saturday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oshawa Public Libraries, McLaughlin Branch, 65 Bagot St. Clarington -- Saturday, June 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Clarington Public Library, Bowmanville Branch, 163 Church St. Brock -- Saturday, June 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brock Libraries, Timothy Finley Branch, 38 Laidlaw St. S., Cannington Uxbridge -- Saturday, June 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Uxbridge Public Library, 9 Toronto St S. Scugog -- Saturday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scugog Public Library, 231 Water St., Port Perry. After events will feature books that celebrate diversity and inclusion, followed by sweet treats, musical performances and other fun activities. WHY DURHAM NEEDS DRAG QUEEN STORYTIME Drag Queen Lucy Flawless read a story at the Clarington Library during one of several Drag Queen Storytime events at libraries across Durham as part of Pride celebrations. Metroland file photo JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@ durhamregion.com WHAT'S ON