School districts around the state are finding creative ways to adapt their traditional graduation ceremonies to a reality that still calls for social distancing.
Here’s what Connecticut high schools are doing to celebrate the Class of 2020 — from a distance
As the school year comes to a close in Connecticut, school districts are finding creative ways to adapt their traditional graduation ceremonies to a reality that still calls for social distancing.
While many school officials hoped in March and April that schools would reopen by June and that bans on large gatherings would be lifted in time to plan in-person graduation ceremonies, districts have still found ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 in a safe and socially distant way. Here’s what they’re doing:
Windsor
Graduates of Windsor High School will be honored with a ceremony that combines both virtual celebrations and an inperson “diploma parade.”
On June 16, an opening ceremony, including the singing of the national anthem and speeches, will be posted on YouTube for families to watch before the graduation festivities kick off.
Starting at 9:45 a.m., school officials will hand out diplomas at the high school to graduating seniors during the “diploma parade.” Students will be assigned a certain time to come to the school to make sure there’s no crowding or traffic backlogs.
Graduates and their families will be allowed one vehicle and will drive up to a designated area outside the high school where the graduate, wearing a mask, will exit the vehicle and receive their diploma. Professional
photographers will be on hand to capture the moment.
At 5 p.m. that same day, the class of 2020 will be formally presented over Zoom and graduates will turn their tassels together, but virtually.
“We know that your graduating class is living through challenging times; none of us imagined that the close of your time at Windsor High School would look as it does,” Superintendent Craig Cooke said in a letter to families.
Glastonbury
Seniors at Glastonbury High School will wrap up their classes next week, but instead of an in-person ceremony, Principal Nancy Bean will hand deliver diplomas to each graduate. A virtual ceremony is planned for June 10.
Bean and other administrators will travel by school bus around town to deliver the diplomas. Graduates will be told ahead of time when to expect the drop off and are asked to be outside their home wearing their cap and gown. School officials said they plan to let residents know the general route they will be taking so that neighbors and friends can go outside and cheer on their graduates.
A week later, a virtual ceremony with all the traditional elements — speeches, music and special recognitions — will be broadcast live on the town’s cable access channel.
West Hartford
Conard and Hall high schools, which typically graduate on the same day, will celebrate their graduates in two “drive-in movie” style ceremonies on June 24 and 25.
The graduation will be hosted at the Farmington Polo Grounds and each graduate’s family will be allowed to park a vehicle to watch the ceremony. The ceremony will include a visual presentation with photos of each of the graduates that will be livestreamed.
“I will say this, I think it is 100% the best we can do,” Superintendent Tom Moore said.
Students and families are also invited to participate in a car parade on June 15. Students are encouraged to decorate their cars to show off “their unique interests.” School officials said they will publicize the parade route once it is finalized so that well-wishers can plan to cheer on the graduates.
“I think the community will be happy and most importantly, our seniors will be happy,” Roszena Haskins, director of diversity advancement said.
Wethersfield
When the weather cooperates, Wethersfield High School seniors graduate at the Wethersfield Cove surrounded by hundreds of family and friends. This year, the ceremony will look a bit different.
The district will hold a virtual ceremony with speeches, a slideshow of graduates in a cap and gown and the announcement of awards. Officials said that if restrictions are lifted by the end of June, they will attempt to have an in-person graduation ceremony in July or August.
In the meantime, school officials have planned a motorcade for seniors on June 12. The event will start at Wethersfield High School and make a loop of the town.
Once the motorcade returns, vehicles will line up and students will receive their diploma covers and a take a photo with school officials. Superintendent Michael Emmett said the actual diplomas will be mailed to students at home.
“It is complex but we’re doing everything we can to honor our seniors. I want to make sure it’s safe and orderly,” Emmett said.
Newington
After weeks of discussion, administrators came up with a plan to honor graduates with a drivethru ceremony that will be livestreamed for families. The ceremony will take place over June 15, 16 and 17 in different waves at the high school.
Graduates will line up in their cars in the student parking lot to the front of the building to receive their diploma,” Principal Terra Tigno said. “Only seniors will get out of their car, walk across a stage, hear their name called and pick up their diploma.”
Photos will be taken during the ceremony and mailed to families. The district has also coordinated a billboard display on Route 9 in New Britain that will show each graduate’s photo. Graduates are encouraged to decorate their cars to celebrate the achievement and administrators will deliver caps and gowns by school bus on June 12.
Farmington
In Farmington, according to a letter sent to families, a drive-thru graduation option was the one students viewed most favorably when they were surveyed.
Each graduate will be allowed one passenger vehicle to attend the ceremony at the Farmington Polo Grounds. When the graduate’s name is called, they will drive up to receive their diploma and then recess out of the parking lot.
“This exciting announcement regarding graduation is truly an achievement that speaks to the collaborative nature of our students and faculty and their unwavering resilience,” school leaders said a in a letter. “While this year’s graduation will undoubtedly be different, we do not anticipate wavering from our high standards. We are committed to making graduation an event that honors the tremendous spirit and the proud legacy of the Class of 2020.”
Avon
In Avon, school officials are working on creating a video of all the graduates that will be screened on a jumbotron at the Farmington Polo Grounds on June 17. Graduates and their families will set up drive-in movie style with their vehicles in rows in front of the screens and watch the ceremony which will include speeches from the valedictorian and salutatorian. School officials said students will step out of their vehicles for the ceremonial tassel turning that signifies the end of their high school careers.
Superintendent Bridget Carnemolla said the district “made a decision to do the best we could under the current circumstances, rather than to wait and see if something better is possible later in the summer.”
Middletown
Middletown’s class of 2020 will graduate in a drive-thru style ceremony. Starting at 4 p.m. on June 16, graduates will don their caps and gowns and drive to Middletown High School, where school officials, Mayor Ben Florsheim and the class president will be waiting to award diplomas.
Seniors and their families will drive up to a stage, remaining in their vehicle until it’s time for the graduate to cross the stage, pick up their diploma and pose for a contactless photo with Superintendent Michael Conner. All family members are required to stay in their vehicle and a professional photographer will be on hand to take pictures.
“One of the greatest attributes an individual can have is flexibility,” Middletown High School Principal Colleen Weiner said. “You have certainly demonstrated your ability to adapt to unprecedented circumstances. I know that you will continue to excel as you move on to the next phase of your lives.”