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High Schools Plan Graduation Under Covid

Donnie Biggs/Fairfax County Public Schools

New guidance on how to conduct in-person graduation ceremonies is setting off a flurry of graduation plans.

Just after the Governor announced the new regulations, Henrico Public Schools sent out a note to families.   The school division near Richmond said it would keep its plans for an outdoor graduation.

“As always, we’ll closely follow the latest in state and local health guidance, which still might mean some new additions and differences to the traditional in-person experience,” said Amy Cashwell, the superintendent, in the press release. "But for now, we want the Class of 2021 to be excited for all the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of an in-person graduation ceremony outdoors."

The school division had already been planning an outdoor gradutation before the annoucnement of new guidance. 

Lucy Caldwell, a spokesperson for the state’s largest division, Fairfax County Public Schools, said schools there are looking at outdoor locations but that outdoor graduations also require a backup plan in case of bad weather.

Each high school plans their own ceremony, and planning takes several weeks, between getting a speaker, picking out music, and printing out the programs. 

The venues for past graduations might not be suitable because of the new social distancing requirements. Schools need to find somewhere with adequate space, including when people move in and out of the venue.  

In years past several of Fairfax's schools hosted graduations in the Eagle Bank Arena, a large sports arena used by George Mason University. This year its unavailable because it’s being used as a mass vaccination site.  

Food and drink will also not be allowed this year under the expected requirements don’t allow it.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Jahd Khalil is a reporter and producer in Richmond.
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