Amid COVID-19, what will Stamford prom, graduation look like this year?
STAMFORD — Stamford public school seniors have a chance to get the first of two Pfizer vaccine shots this weekend, meaning they could be fully vaccinated by late May.
Superintendent Tamu Lucero mentioned that time frame Tuesday night in a brief description of end-of-year activities.
“By prom and graduation, you’ll be fully vaccinated, which will be really great,” she said.
While student groups at each of the three high schools have posted fliers on social media announcing
prom on June 4 at each respective school, district administrators said plans are only tentative at this point.
But Lucero said that’s because the district may actually be able to offer more, not less, as the date nears.
“So, it’s really important that we don’t solidify all of our plans,” she said.
Lucero said one thing that is almost guaranteed is that the events would have to be held outdoors, and rain dates will have to be offered.
According to the senior class at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering, their prom, themed “Enchanted Garden,” is scheduled for June 4.
Stamford High School’s graduating class also posted about its prom, themed “A Knight Under the Stars,” set to take place on June 4 at Boyle Stadium. Westhill High School expects to host its prom, titled “Once Upon a Hill,” the same night as the other two.
Lucero said none of those events are set in stone, but student organizers have posted some details of the possible celebrations, including the availability of food trucks and the requirement that students wear masks.
“Our students have been very proactive in creating their plans,” Lucero said.
The option to host an in-person prom became more of a reality in recent weeks, as the COVID-19 vaccine has become available for those 16 and older in Connecticut.
Stamford schools have provided every senior the opportunity to receive the Pfizer vaccine on April 17 or April 18 at the large vaccination site at the former Lord & Taylor store.
Amy Taylor, vice president of the western region for Community Health Center, which runs the mass vaccination site at Lord + Taylor, said during a recent school district webinar that seniors are the focus of a campaign because they are nearing the end of their public school experience.
“All of these rites of passage and special celebrations that the seniors get to participate in, we wanted to try to help make that possible for them, and at the same time make it a safer environment for all students and teachers to return back to school,” Taylor said.
School officials are also planning to reopen the city’s high schools to full-time in-person classroom learning Monday. Last month, Stamford fully reopened its elementary and middle schools.
Graduation plans for Stamford high schools are not set, but Lucero said to stay tuned.
“Sounds like they’ll at least be getting measured for caps and gowns then,” said board member Andy George.
“Definitely,” said Lucero.