WATSONVILLE—Graduation for Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s 1,179 seniors this year will look drastically different than it has at any time in its history.
That is because the school closures imposed April 1 by state education officials have required students to learn from home for the remainder of the year. They have also put the kibosh on in-person commencement ceremonies.
And so PVUSD asked seniors and their families what they wanted from a graduation event. After more than 800 completed a poll, a majority opted for a virtual graduation, coupled with a drive-thru event.
They also asked to return in winter or spring 2021 for a reunion combined with a graduation ceremony, said Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Kristen Shouse.
The festivities begin this week, when seniors can pick up their caps, gowns and other regalia such as yard signs. Later this month they will take part in a motorcade to pick up their diploma.
District officials are hammering out the details of the online graduation, which will occur on June 5 at 10am, and include live-streamed content and pre-recorded speeches by valedictorians and salutatorians. Each school will have its own site.
The virtual event will also allow each senior to customize his or her own page, which will be displayed on-screen during the event, similar to having their names read during a live ceremony.
The community is also asked to do its part for the graduates by festooning their yards and front doors with lights and other decorations from May 25-29.
“I think it’s going to be actually pretty amazing,” Shouse said.
The Santa Cruz County Health Department has approved all of the plans, PVUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said in a recorded announcement about the graduation.
“This is an unprecedented time and we acknowledge the communal loss of how we have traditionally celebrated and honored our graduates. ”
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