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Ideas, guidelines for hosting graduation celebrations during COVID-19 pandemic

The Colorado Department of Education said recognizing seniors' achievements is important even with restrictions in place.

COLORADO, USA — With traditional graduation ceremonies canceled across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families and schools are getting creative in their efforts to celebrate their seniors this spring. 

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) on Monday issued guidance on safe ways to plan alternate events.

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Communities and schools are encouraged by CDE to work with local public health agencies to plan creative graduation ceremonies that honor seniors while keeping everyone safe.

“I understand how incredibly disappointing it is to students, teachers and families to miss out on milestones like graduation ceremonies," Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes said in the release. “Unfortunately, traditional graduation ceremonies will not be safe for some time, but thanks to the creativity and ingenuity of our teachers, parents and school leaders, we are seeing some really thoughtful and meaningful alternative celebrations around the state.”

All celebrations must comply with Gov. Jared Polis' safer-at-home order, which means gatherings of 10 or more people are not permitted.

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Other guidelines from CDE and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

  • Vulnerable people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and sick people must remain at home.
  • All participants should be screened for fever and symptoms before entering the gathering.
  • All participants, including graduates, administrators, guests or family members, must always remain at least six feet apart.
  • Six-foot sections should be marked on the floor. Use small flags, tape, balloons, etc. to indicate the distance.
  • To comply with the six-foot spacing, handshaking and hugs should not occur.
  • If chairs are provided, they must be disinfected before and after use by school staff using proper protocol.
  • All participants must always wear cloth face coverings.
  • Ceremonies must be held outside; inside ceremonies cannot occur.
  • Diplomas, awards, medals, programs, etc. must not be handed out.
  • Sharing or exchanging materials of any kind poses an increased risk for transmission/spread of COVID-19 and must not occur. (Throwing graduation caps, “sign-in” practices, gifts, flowers, etc).

CDE also offered a few ideas for events that could be feasible for some communities:

  • Districts are hosting virtual graduation ceremonies, in which the staff films speeches, dedications and other festivities and students add videos.
  • Video recordings of a live ceremony involving fewer than 10 graduates could be broadcast on local public access television, local radio or streamed for families on Facebook Live or YouTube.
  • Small communities are planning “Car Parades” with support from the local health department and police.
  • Drive-in graduations could be held at drive-in movie theaters, where families and graduates stay in cars for the ceremonies.
  • Very small communities with only a few graduates may be able to hold ceremonies on football fields or other outdoor locations. Outdoor ceremonies could feature graduates walking on a stage with their families watching in their cars and listening to the event via local radio.
  • Some districts are delaying their ceremonies. However, postponing ceremonies could be challenging because of the evolving nature of COVID-19. Because circumstances may not change much over the next few months, it could lead to additional disappointment if mass gathering restrictions are still in place.

More information about graduation ceremony guidelines can be found by clicking here.

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