HIGH SCHOOL graduations may not be in-person this year (OC Tribune photo).
The band may be playing “Pomp and Circumstance” but the commencement for the local high school classes of 2020 will be having anything but a traditional ceremony.
In the Garden Grove Unified School District – which has eight high schools – June will probably bring “virtual graduations” instead of the more common events held at football stadiums, or sometimes on campus.
According to Abby Broyles, public information officer for the GGUSD, the district is planning on hosting electronic versions of the graduations on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12.
So here’s what’s planned:
- Virtual ceremonies will held on the same day and time as scheduled.
- High school principals will provide a password-protected link to the virtual ceremony with seniors and their families.
- Class of 2020 seniors can watch and participate at home with selfies, student performances, speeches from valedictorians, principals and students, an interactive chat feature that will allow the remote audience to cheer classmates and send emojis and icons.
Graduating seniors will get a link to an online form to submit their selfie cap and gown photos, as well as tassel turn and cap toss videos.
However, if the restrictions are lifted on big events, senior students and parents will be surveyed on the next step.
The GGUSD serves most of Garden Grove and parts of Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. It operates Bolsa Grande, Garden Grove, Hare (Continuation), La Quinta, Los Amigos, Pacifica, Rancho Alamitos and Santiago high schools.
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