The Auburn School District has set Saturday, June 13 as high school graduation day.
Superintendent Alan Spicciati posted a message Wednesday, May 20 on the district’s Facebook page to let seniors and their families know about the plans for the Class of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Each high school will have an in-person graduation plan with social distancing and safety requirements in place
* Auburn High, Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside will celebrate at their high school building instead of at Auburn Memorial Stadium
* Graduating nearly 400 seniors each, these schools will each share plans for sequenced arrival times and safe celebrations
* West Auburn will celebrate in the Auburn Performing Arts Center parking lot, in a “drive-in” setting
* Families will be able to watch their graduate receive his/her diploma from a close distance
* A professional photographer will capture the moment for each graduate
“We have been meeting regularly to develop a memorable and fun event to celebrate our seniors,” Spicciati said in the post. “Because my son is a junior in high school, I know a lot of the Class of 2020 personally and watched many of them grow up. They are resilient, smart, kind and alive! This pandemic, and the impacts on their senior year, will be a part of the story they share with their kids and grandkids.”
Spicciati said students helped with the planning.
“Though not what any of us envisioned when school started in September, we have developed a plan that will honor this milestone in our seniors’ lives,” he said. “Thanks to the feedback of our seniors, we know the desire of most is to do something with community and personality, and not a “virtual” graduation. Family support and fanfare to help celebrate are critical in making the plan succeed.”
Spicciati knows the graduations won’t be the same as a traditional commencement.
“However, we will make the most of it,” he said. “Everyone will have a chance to be honored in front of their family and see the teachers, staff and administrators who have supported them.”
Each school will reach out to students and their families with more details.
“Within a week, your student’s principal will send specifics on the time, route and other important details about the event specific to your senior,” Spicciati said. “My heart goes out to seniors and their families this year. The amazing, caring staff at each of the high schools have a lot of fun and inspirational online celebrations they will incorporate as graduation day nears.”
The Kent School District has not yet announced graduation plans.
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