How Macon County seniors celebrate their graduations this year will be subject to a host of regulations from the state government.
On Friday, May 1, the North Carolina State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction sent a press release to school systems around the state explaining considerations for graduation plans. The government agencies expect that by the time most schools would hold commencement, the state will still be observing executive order no. 121, which bans gatherings of more than 10 people and requires six feet of social distance between them.
However, they still encourage schools to pursue modified ceremonies.
“High school graduation is an important milestone,” the release reads. “Districts and schools are encouraged to engage with students and families on the best solutions for their communities.”
Macon County Schools superintendent Chris Baldwin said Macon County educators are still debating the best way to hold graduations. Principals met on Thursday just before the release came to discuss possible contingency plans, most of them similar to the state’s suggestions.
But because graduations are likely to happen several weeks late at the very least, there’s still time to see how regulations may change. In any case, Baldwin reaffirmed the county’s commitment to making sure that graduates are acknowledged the way that they deserve, no matter what format is needed to make it happen.
“We are considering the options proposed by the governor,” Baldwin said. “Principals have formed committees and are seeking input from students as we develop plans to recognize our graduates.”
The state has laid out several possible alternatives for a traditional graduation ceremony. Cars are a common tool in these strategies, offering the potential for drive-in ceremonies where guests watch graduates walk on a projector screen or drive-thru ceremonies where graduates collect their diplomas from inside their cars, similar to Macon Early College’s recent graduate drive-thru for goodie bag distribution.
The release also suggests individualized ceremonies that follow traditional graduations with capacity-conscious waves of students, which may be a more elegant solution for schools with smaller graduating classes like Highlands School or Nantahala School. The organizations encourage school systems to be creative and come up with things that will please their whole communities, but also to work closely with authorities to ensure legal compliance.
“Plans should include consultation with local public health officials on current state and local public health requirements and other questions related to health and safety,” the release reads.