Some high school principals in the Cobb County School District had sent out word in recent days about seniors picking up caps and gowns in hopes of having graduation ceremonies.
They told those members of the Class of 2020 that they were still waiting to hear the final word from the district about whether some form of commencement exercises would take place.
That decision has been released, and it’s not what anyone wanted to hear: There won’t be “in-person” graduation ceremonies in May, as had been scheduled.
A brief unsigned, undated note on CCSD letterhead went out to the “Cobb Schools Community” that due to continuing public gathering and other guidelines due to the Coronavirus crisis, those graduation events will be “postponed.”
That note is also contained on the CCSD’s Coronavirus guidance page, but a formal release was not issued.
The message said that regardless of what public health measures may be in effect in the near future, “we do know we will recognize and honor the graduating class of 2020 in a memorable way.”
Further details, the note said, will be announced by June 1, and that “virtual and in-person graduation alternatives are being considered.”
One of the Cobb principals who’s been regularly communicating graduation possibilities is Dr. Chris Richie of Lassiter High School.
On Sunday, his message to that school community said that “the District has indicated to principals their desire to have a traditional ceremony, but the ceremony may not look the same as it has in the past.”
Most Cobb high schools have had their graduations at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center. Some, like Wheeler, have held commencement in their gyms.
East Cobb News contacted the CCSD’s communications department for further details about graduation, including possible alternatives, but a spokeswoman repeated the message issued below.
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