PHS to hold by-appointment graduation
Social distancing will be enforced
PARADISE » Paradise High School is planning to hold a by-appointment graduation ceremony at its campus for the class of 2020 with special measures in place to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
The arrangement limits all groups to 10 people or fewer, but still provides a chance for a live ceremony with nearly all of the trappings of a graduation.
“We’re going to try and emulate a traditional graduation as much as we can,” said Stacie Martin, Paradise High School activities director who’s been organizing the ceremonies along with a team.
The sign-up form went out to families on Friday.
The ceremonies will take place over June 1-2, instead of the scheduled June 4 celebration. Ten seniors will sign up for each hour slot. Each student can invite up to eight family members to watch from the stands.
Martin said the ceremonies had been planned to make sure all people stayed far apart from each other and that there were no crowds.
The principal will provide an introduction at each appointment, and students selected to give speeches will have that opportunity.
Then, the vice principal will call out each student’s name as well as some information each student has provided about their high school experience and future plans. Staff will be on hand to escort students and families to their demarcated locations. Each student will walk across Om Wraith field, receive their diploma and get their picture taken.
Each student and family will exit the school campus via one-way traffic before the next group is allowed in.
“We have 17 acres to keep people apart, and we’ll keep people apart,” said Tom Taylor, the superintendent of Paradise Unified School District. “I’m really hoping that everyone cooperates, because we have a good system to do the best we can for the kids, as long as everyone cooperates.”
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