Wake County to hold virtual high school graduation ceremonies due to coronavirus
The Wake County school system is canceling its traditional in-person high school graduation ceremonies and switching to virtual events this year due to the coronavirus.
More than 11,000 Wake County high school seniors are scheduled to graduate at ceremonies that had been planned in May and June, mainly at the Raleigh Convention Center. But Wake County school board chairman Keith Sutton said Friday that it’s no longer realistic to believe that public health officials will allow the events, which draw thousands of people, to be held as scheduled.
“I wish from the bottom of my heart that we could have traditional graduation ceremonies,” Sutton said at a news conference Friday. “But in the end, we can not jeopardize the safety of our students, families, their friends and loved ones.”
Sutton said the plan they’re strongly considering is for Wake’s 34 high schools to hold virtual video graduation ceremonies in June. If health conditions allow, he said high schools would follow them up with customized events in June or July.
The decision was made after meeting this week with Wake high school principals and seniors.
Wake’s announcement comes after the state Department of Public Instruction sent guidance last week that graduation ceremonies need to adhere to state rules on social distancing and public gathering limits.
Schools were told they could use options such as drive-in or drive-through ceremonies and individualized ceremonies.
Some Durham high schools plan to hold graduation ceremonies on their campus while others will have ceremonies in the parking lot at The Streets at Southpoint mall, The News & Observer reported.
Cabarrus County high schools will hold graduations on the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Charlotte Observer reported.
Sutton and Superintendent Cathy Moore said they hope to provide Wake families with more details about graduation next week.
“A proper send-off in the current conditions is a huge task,” Sutton said. “A task that will take time if we want to ensure that it is done right. So rather than hope for the best, we will work to make sure that it happens.”
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 10:35 AM.
