High school graduation ceremonies may look different district to district
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mid-Missouri school districts are working to find the best fit for graduation ceremonies to celebrate their seniors' accomplishments amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Schools all over the state are taking different approaches for these ceremonies while working to accommodate counties' reopening orders.
Columbia Public Schools' high school graduations would have taken place the weekend of May 23.
Instead, CPS plans to hold multiple in-person small ceremonies in late July to comply with the Columbia/Boone County health department guidelines for mass gatherings.
The Columbia/Boone County health department reopening order has restrictions on the number of people allowed at mass gatherings.
These restrictions are separated in phases. Columbia and Boone County are in phase one, which allows only 10 people to attend a mass gathering.
In Jefferson City, there is no city nor county order, as Cole County has been following statewide guidelines since April 25 and will continue to follow the state's order through May.
The Jefferson City School District has plans to host graduation in small groups at June and July ceremonies.
JC Schools said on social media that it is planning graduation ceremonies for June 12. If social distancing rules are still in effect in June, graduation will take place July 10.
Blair Oaks School District's postponed graduation date is set for June 20, but that is subject to change because of social distancing requirements.
New Bloomfield school district is holding its in-person graduation ceremony Friday.
The Hallsville School District's in-person graduation has been set for June 26 at the Hallsville High School football field.
Kari Yeagy, Hallsville schools spokeswoman, said there are multiple rescheduling dates in case of weather or mass gathering restrictions from the Columbia and Boone County health department.
Right now Hallsville schools has at least six rescheduling dates for its 2020 graduation.
“Graduation is a time for celebration for our students and our families," Yeagy said. "It's an event that really should be celebrated for those students' 13 years of hard work. So our goal is to provide our seniors with a formal commencement ceremony.”
