Parents, students asked to vote on graduation options
STAMFORD — Walking on stage while wearing a cap and gown is what many Stamford seniors want for their graduation — and they may still get it.
The catch? There won’t be a large audience of peers in attendance; the guest list might only be two people.
That’s one of four options presented to Stamford parents and students in a survey sent out by the school district.
Superintendent Tamu Lucero spoke this month with the Board of Education about holding a virtual graduation. Members of the school board appeared to be in favor of that idea, but
A survey posted online presents four options for a graduation, including one in-person ceremony.
many families in the city have said they don’t want an online ceremony.
One Stamford High School student, Jenna Calorossi, created an online petition calling for an alternative solution. She was happy to see the school district come back to the table and get input from families.
“I appreciate that they’re listening to students and parents,” she said, adding that she still objects to a virtual graduation ceremony “Anything that we could do in person would be great.”
The survey option she favors would allow any graduating senior to make an appointment with the school district to show up in person for a brief ceremony. The student, dressed in cap and gown, would be allowed to bring up to two guests, would walk across a stage, receive a diploma, and be photographed and videotaped.
All of the footage would then be combined into a graduation video that would be made available to the school community in June.
Lisa Ranero, who has a daughter at Stamford High, said she was happy to see the school district respond to complaints from the community and seek input from families.
While she isn’t thrilled with any of the four options, she seemed to favor the in-person ceremony. She also would be open to an August graduation, which is included as one of the other options.
“If they can combine both somehow someway, I personally would be willing to wait until August if I knew that it would most definitely be in person,” she said.
The survey begins with a message to the community: “In a season of celebration, typically filled with proms, award dinners, state tournaments, internships, performances, and graduations, we know that you have faced many disappointments this spring as we must maintain social distancing to keep you and all members of our community safe.”
The state recently released graduation guidelines that say any ceremony involving in-person congregation must receive the approval of a local health department.
In addition to the graduation-by-appointment option, the survey includes the choice of a pre-recorded virtual graduation unique to each of the high schools that would include speeches from principals, a student speaker, Lucero and Mayor David Martin, as well as pictures of each of the graduates.
Another option is identical to that, but would also include a short in-person graduation ceremony in August or November, if possible.
The last alternative is a short pre-recorded video in June, followed by a graduation ceremony in August or November that would include speeches from city and school officials.
Sharon Beadle said a decision will be upcoming.
“The superintendent is carefully considering all information available, including the survey results, before making a final, informed decision,” she wrote. “Once we receive the additional feedback from the survey, consider all current factors and circle back with the departments of health and safety as well as the (Board of Education), we will make a final decision.”