Graduation

[Kerry Wachter]

I am just wondering how all of your districts are handling graduation. Both High School and Elementary school. Are you doing in person ceremonies, virtual, or delaying until late summer.

[Steven Sabo]

We held our drive though ceremony which followed a virtual part consisting of all the speeches. While we had a lot of push back for doing graduation this way, we have had nothing but compliments about it. It was a huge success and amazingly, an overwhelming number of parents have suggested we do graduation this way in the future!

[Rob Curtis]

We have pushed our decision to July 10 to determine if an outdoor graduation will be allowed. Our plan is to hold graduation on our football field, follow all social distancing and face mask guidelines, and limit family attendance to four people.

[Jose Canario]

We had a "focus" group comprised of a majority of students and led by the HS principal. In the end, the students overwhelming desire was to all be together for graduation. With that being said, graduation will be held on our field with just the students and only the Principal, Superintendent, and Board President present. It will be live streamed on a YouTube Channel.

[Bill Grau]

We are a "B" school with around 130 graduates. We will be holding 3 in person outdoor ceremonies and each student can bring 2 guests. All three will be live streamed. We would like the maximum number to be expanded so our graduates can bring more guests.

[Sheri Senecal]

Our Elementary students will hold a virtual graduation. The High School is doing a drive by with the student crossing the stage while 5 family members watch.

[Jill Citron]

We are creating a video to be shared on the graduation date. We had the stage set up with signage and balloons and each senior came with his or her parents and walked across the stage in cap and gown. All speeches were recorded. Doing recorded speeches for elementary and middle school ceremonies as well. Have a date set aside for an in-person ceremony in August. Just heard about the 150 person limit. This doesn’t make sense. Hopefully it will change. Feedback about the filming of the video has been extremely positive.

[Ed Fersch]

Yesterday the Governor announced that houses of worship can open with 25% capacity in most of upstate. I know that we can hold our graduation in our gym, set it up with necessary distancing and keep the capacity to 25%. I just sent an email to the Governor explaining this and asking him to allow graduations in the same manner as he is allowing worship. Please do the same.

[Debbie Kolod]

We are doing drive by with stage walk, taping, and the video will be aired on our local television station on the date set for graduation. Up to 8 family members can enter the outdoor stadium to watch the student walk the stage. We have a date booked for late in the summer in the event large group gatherings are allowed. Difficult time for all, I strongly believe senior students are very humbled with all of the extra attention given to them. Hopefully some type of assembly can happen this summer, congratulations to all districts for recognizing not only graduating seniors but all of the achievements, moving up ceremonies and accomplishments of their students.

[Paul Farfaglia]

We are doing a virtual as well as a drive by and stage walk for student and family. Includes photo opportunity. Out of car, across state, photo, back to car and next up. Continuing for an entire day to cover the numbers of graduates. Also, holding a July date for an event if there is a change in restrictions after the 28th of June. Feeling is there won't be significant change for later date.