With the days winding down to the end of the school year, Gwinnett County Public Schools has set up guidelines for seniors since schools are closed to students.
The district already announced that graduation ceremonies will be held in cyberspace, but that doesn’t mean the pomp and circumstance has to be diminished.
Planning for this virtual graduation experience is underway and includes traditional elements such as student speeches, music, and recognition of each graduate. Some details are already in motion.
Last week students began picking up their caps and gowns at their high schools. With social distancing guidelines in place, they weren’t allowed to get out of the car or even roll down their windows.
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At the designated pickup area (generally in front of the school), students were required to place their name in the window of the car and pop the trunk or unlock the back door so a staffer could put their graduation packet inside. No students or family members were permitted to get out of their vehicle or congregate with others. That rule was strictly enforced with school police officers present.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stopped by a few schools. Waves and smiles were prevalent and even a few tears. But nobody stopped to talk, per the rules.
Additional guidelines were released last week instructing students to submit a digital photo of themselves in their cap and gown and confirm the correct spelling of their name and how they want it to appear on the screen during the ceremony, by May 1.
“Of course, this isn’t ideal, but we’re trying to make the best of it,” said Gwinnett spokeswoman Sloan Roach.
Students were asked to have someone take their photo (no selfies). Several seniors said they had plans for professional portraits. It doesn’t matter if the photos are taken indoors or outside, but they shouldn’t be digitally altered. (No doe-eyed filters.) And there shouldn’t be any props in the photo. Sounds simple, but this is graduation season.
Each photo will be reviewed to ensure that it reflects the dignity of the ceremony. They will be used by the school and GCPS as part of a virtual graduation event, to which the public will have access via social media and the internet.
If students do not submit a photo of themselves in their cap and gown, the school will use their senior yearbook photograph. If they do not have a senior yearbook photo, then their name will be displayed during the ceremony with a preformatted background.
Diplomas will be mailed to home addresses after the virtual graduation ceremonies in May.
Further details will be released next month.
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