ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Graduation—it’s one of the top moments on the graduating class of 2020’s mind after the coronavirus canceled most of their major senior year milestones.
Due to concerns of COVID-19's spread, May ceremonies were put on hold.
Now, school districts are working hard to find new ways to make sure students get to experience walking across the stage, even if that means the moment comes delayed.
As 10News hears back from each school district, this story will be updated.
Here is how your school district is handling graduation amid the coronavirus pandemic:
Hillsborough:
Hillsborough County Public Schools moved graduation ceremonies back to July. But, the district says those dates are pending if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still do not allow for public gatherings.
Should that be the case, options will be explored for virtual graduation ceremonies as a last resort.
"Class of 2020, the last few weeks have been challenging as you prepare for your next stage of life. Please know your teachers, administrators, and district leaders recognize this is not the way you envisioned closing out your Senior year," the school district wrote.
You can find a full ceremony schedule here.
Pinellas:
Students in Pinellas County can anticipate a traditional graduation experience later this summer, but district leaders are preparing for a virtual experience to be safe.
Any traditional ceremonies would be pending CDC guidelines. No exact dates have been shared yet.
Should commencement turn virtual, the district already has a plan in place. But, the district looked to seniors for input on how to mold what 2020's graduation experience embodies. Seniors were able to fill out a survey to share their thoughts.
Pasco:
The dates are delayed -- but they're set! Pasco County seniors will have a traditional graduation in August.
With the coronavirus pandemic impacting many major milestones for the graduation class of 2020, administrators across the state are pivoting to help save in-person graduations.
"The delays became necessary due to concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), which prohibit the gathering of large crowds," the school district wrote in a release.
Ceremonies are now set to occur between Aug. 5 to Aug. 15.
But, plans are subject to change, based on any developments regarding the coronavirus and the CDC's recommended guidelines.
The school district also plans to hold a virtual ceremony in late May or early June to honor the original dates.
A full list of graduation dates and times can be found here.
Polk:
Seniors in Polk County are getting a special treat: graduating at a baseball stadium.
Polk County Public Schools announced it will conduct its 2020 graduation ceremonies, this June, at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.
The school district said all of its traditional high schools, in addition to, Gause Academy, Fresh Start, East Area Adult, Polk Grad Academy, Polk Virtual School, Ridge Technical College, Traviss Technical College and West Area Adult will have their graduations at the stadium.
All ceremonies will also be live-streamed to the district's YouTube page.
Health precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of graduates, guests and school district staff.
Here is what is currently planned:
- The Florida Department of Health is being consulted during the planning of graduation ceremonies.
- Temperatures will be checked as individuals enter the stadium. Anyone running a fever, including graduates, will not be allowed to attend or participate.
- Everyone will be required to wear a mask, including graduates.
- Graduates will receive four tickets each. The tickets will include a seat number. Limiting the number of guests and assigning them to seats at least six feet apart will ensure social distancing.
- The stadium, including seats, will be disinfected daily.
- Graduates will stand six feet apart during the ceremony.
- There will be no handshakes.
- Ceremonies will be condensed to approximately one hour to limit exposure.
A graduation schedule can be found here. The school district does note that exact times will be settled once the dates are closer.
Manatee:
Manatee Public County Schools has opted to push graduation ceremonies back to July 29 through August 1 as the cases of COVID-19 in the county continue to climb. The new ceremonies will be held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center at various times.
“While I am truly sad that our graduates and their families will not have their graduation ceremonies as originally planned, we have to ultimately consider what is best for the health and safety of all who would be involved,” Superintendent Cynthia Saunders said. “We realize that some students and families will not be able to take part during the rescheduled ceremonies in late July, but we wanted to find a time when we may be able to hold something as close to a traditional graduation ceremony as possible.”
In the interim, high school principles and staff will be working with Manatee Schools to develop video alternatives for “virtual graduation” should the rescheduled dates also be canceled, for students who cannot attend to still have a way to experience the moment.
You can see the proposed alternative graduation schedule below.
Sarasota:
Sarasota County Schools has set its sights on July as the month seniors will have the chance to walk across the stage.
“Sarasota County Schools will be working with each traditional public high school in the district to schedule an in-person graduation ceremony in late July, as well as a dance for seniors, to honor each school’s Class of 2020,” the school district wrote.
But, all events are subject to cancelation pending what CDC guidelines call for later this year.
The school district said, should rescheduled dates be canceled, a virtual celebration will take its place.
Citrus:
Students in Citrus County are asked to check in with their respective high school for specifics when it comes to how each school intends to celebrate its seniors.
Lecanto High School, Crystal River High School and Citrus High School have all decided to postpone their traditional graduation ceremonies until later this summer. No exact date has been set yet.
In the meantime, the three schools have created an “honoring our seniors” yard sign program where interested families can contact their child’s school to get a sign for their yard honoring their student.
While others are planning to hold additional drive-thru graduations in May to honor the original graduation dates.
To see how your student’s specific school is handling pre-graduation events click here and select their school for additional information.
Hernando:
Students in Hernando will be getting both traditional graduations, set for various dates in July, and drive-thru graduation experience on May 15.
"Because commencement is such an important milestone for students and families, we have taken great care in deciding how best to create a memorable experience for the Class of 2020," Superintendent John Stratton wrote in a letter to families.
At 8:20 p.m. on May 15, each high school will conduct a drive-thru senior "roll." Each school will have a different route for seniors to travel as they are cheered on by friends, family and staff. Routes will be posted to each high school's websites.
Seniors will also be given signs to place in their yards and have professional photos taken of them in their caps and gowns. These photos will be used for virtual graduation should it come to that.
For now, traditional graduation ceremonies are set for July.
The new graduation dates are below:
Nature Coast Technical High School: Wednesday, July 29 at 8 p.m. (rain date July 30 at 9 a.m.) at NCTH
F.W. Springstead High School: Thursday July 30 at 8 p.m. (rain date July 31 at 9 a.m.) at SHS
Central High School: Friday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace World Church
Weeki Wachee High School: Saturday, Aug. 1 at 3 p.m. at Grace World Church
Hernando High School: Saturday, Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Grace World Church
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