KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The spread of COVID-19 closed schools, ended sport seasons, canceled proms and all but rendered senior year celebrations kaput for the class of 2020.
But one way or another, Kansas City area districts say they will save graduation, The Kansas City Star reported.
Some schools will still hold their ceremonies in May, albeit online. Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will social distance its pomp and circumstance at a drive-in theater. But most area schools will wait until July, hoping for the traditional caps, gowns and tassels in person.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday that as of May 4 he would lift restrictions on large gatherings, including commencement ceremonies, but that doesn’t affect municipalities with stricter rules. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s orders are set to expire May 4, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties are waiting on the state’s guidance, expected this week. Restrictions in Kansas City and Jackson County don’t expire until May 15, for now.
Regardless of the expiration dates, area school districts aren’t taking chances with typical in-person gatherings this spring. A few are planning multiple options for the summer.
“We have not yet made a decision about graduation,” said David Smith, spokesman for the Shawnee Mission school district. “We have developed two plans. Plan 1: in-person ceremonies. Plan 2: video-produced ceremonies.” Either way, he said, events would take place July 14 to 16 for the district’s five high schools.
Smith said that a final decision, coming by June 15, “about whether we are able to have gatherings large enough to schedule an in-person graduation will be made based on guidance from federal, state and local authorities.”
Lee’s Summit is also planning two contingencies. Officials are hoping for in-person ceremonies July 25 at each high school’s stadium, with a rain date the next day. “It is our hope that rescheduling our ceremonies will ensure an opportunity to provide our students the traditional experience of graduating on-stage and in the presence of their friends, family and school community,” said Katy Bergen, district spokeswoman.
Just in case, the schools are preparing a virtual recognition, in addition to virtual events set for May, including senior slideshows on social media and online award ceremonies.
But North Kansas City schools have definitely decided to hold graduations online in May, since all the high schools are within Kansas City boundaries. “In addition,” said Susan Highland, district spokeswoman, “Clay County Health Department is not recommending gatherings of more than 100 people.”
The district’s Oak Park High School will call student names as their pictures appear. Students and families can watch via computer from their homes.
“I don’t want to be dramatic, but honestly, it’s pretty devastating,” said Malisa M. Bartlow, 18, the school’s senior class president. “I don’t get to be around all my friends for graduation. Right before (stay-at-home orders) happened, we all talked about how it was supposed to be the best two months of our entire high school year.”
Raymore-Peculiar High School is in Cass County, which plans to end restrictions May 4, but the school postponed graduation to July 17.
“Our original graduation was scheduled for May 15 at the Community of Christ Auditorium, which is located in Jackson County and still has a restriction through May 15,” said Michele Stidham, spokeswoman for the district.
In Clay County, Smithville High School graduation is July 28. Liberty schools set two dates: June 14 and July 19. “We wanted to make sure we are prepared,” said April Adams, principal at Liberty High School.
