PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After spending their entire school year online, high school seniors in Philadelphia are being allowed to have outdoor graduation ceremonies in person.
Superintendent William Hite says for these in-person ceremonies, masks, social distancing and crowd limits will be mandatory.
“While these ceremonies may look different from graduation ceremonies of the past, these are necessary changes that have been made with the health and well-being of students and staff members in mind,” Hite said at a news conference Thursday. “We know that these are unusual circumstances, but we remain committed to doing everything that we can to deal with, and to help our students celebrate this wonderful milestone.”
The district is planning for graduations at 10 outdoor high school sites between June 9 and 11, with rain dates the following week.
The sites are:
• Central High School Stadium
• Dobbins High School Stadium
• Frankford High School Stadium
• Gratz High School Supersite
• Roxborough High School Stadium
• West Philadelphia High School Stadium
• Germantown Supersite
• South Philadelphia High School Supersite
• George Washington High School Supersite
• Northeast High School Supersite
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For many in the Class of 2021, it will be the first time they see their teachers and classmates in person, after an entire academic year of virtual instruction because of COVID-19.
Hite said the district is expected to announce more details on in-person graduation ceremonies in the coming days.