So I found out this morning that the school I work at, in point of fact my entire county

[dsc]

might wind up having graduations outside, in stadiums, as usual. Apparently there is some loophole in the Executive order that we have here that exempted schools from the public gathering limits (the loophole was to allow food distribution among other things). On top of that our sheriff made clear he won't be enforcing social distancing regulations just laws. As a teacher, I will be required to go to this. I am frankly livid. We are still talking about all kinds of crazy measures for August but here we are in June going to have hundreds of people, in the stands, hundreds on our football field, with some wearing masks and others not. I am hoping our school board shoots this down but out of 7 members I know two are in favor of this horrible idea.

[masmdu]

1. Call in 'sick'....it happens.

Sure that doesn't help anybody else caught up in this but if you can get then to change the plan you can beg off as sick to at least protect yourself.

[dsc]

2. I would have to get a medical note

and I wouldn't qualify for one. I am 52, heavy, but otherwise in good health.

[Maeve]

9. You need to get to know some other doctors

Someone who can help a friend in a good cause.

[masmdu]

20. What if you are sick in bed? How would a Dr.'s note be required?

If I'm sick from work because X then I just return the next day and let them know I was sick. No need for a note unless it is an extended absence.

What county are you in?

[dsc]

21. Normally it would be that way but we have a few required days

and one of them is graduation.

[masmdu]

22. So if you were truly sick (fever, vomiting, etc.) you'd still be required to show up?

Just tell them you were "that" sick. They will never know?

Sorry, to ask again. What county is this in?

[dsc]

23. Wayne

[masmdu]

24. Good luck. I'd call in sick.

Stay safe.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Which State?

The sign at the HS and Jr Hi are showing late July dates for outdoor.
That's consistent with the state projections, but it's still nearly 2 months away.

[dsc]

4. NC

This wasn't what the governor intended but some fools on our school board figured this out.

[cwydro]

5. Wow, I thought all this graduation crap was past for now.

I thought Mecklenburg and Union already did it virtually or somehow, but maybe I missed something.

I thought NC was doing well on this.

[dsc]

6. Oh most places have

and our county had a plan all set up, and then this happened. Wake has also done virtual and the world is still spinning. We were going to have a parade (grads and families in cars, people social distance on path) to the mall, in mall parking lot. Families stay in cars, seniors go up on small, socially distant groups as names are called. Speeches would be live. All recorded and live streamed, shown on jumbotrons.

[cwydro]

7. Crap, I hope you figure out something . I think that's bs that you have to go when the state is not

That's ridiculous. I'm not high risk either, but as far as I'm concerned, we are ALL at risk.

[Books_Tea_Alone]

8. Come down with a stomach virus

I am also a teacher and no way would I go. You can call an urgent care type of place and tell them you have a stomach virus and need a note.

[BigmanPigman]

10. If I were still teaching that is exactly what I'd do.

[dsc]

11. I don't know what I will wind up doing if these fools get their way

I am a teacher of many of the seniors and have a senior HR this year so in addition to being required to go as I normally would I actually would have some roll in this which both makes me feel guilty for calling off and makes it more dangerous for me as I will be in the midst of lining up the seniors. What is really galling is we sat at home and did online instruction to stop the spread, keep our hospitals from being overwhelmed, and get a testing protocol up but now we are going to, in what is on paper one of the worst counties in the state in terms of infections, have this massive public gathering and we still have no testing protocol, we still have only one local hospital with who knows how many ICU beds and ventilators. I am just disgusted with all of this.

[Ex Lurker]

12. My nephew graduates this weekend

outdoors in a stadium. Each graduate (there are only about a hundred) is allowed four guests, and they will be spread out. Hopefully it will be okay.

[dsc]

13. we have a bit over 200 grads

each usually would be given 10 tickets, I am assuming there would be fewer in this scenario, but even if it is say 4, you would have close to 1000 in our stands and we aren't one of those high schools with a huge stadium we have a decent sized set of stands.

[struggle4progress]

14. Southeast Raleigh High graduation has masks and empty arena

BY T. KEUNG HUI
MAY 27, 2020 01:13 PM , UPDATED 1 HOUR 3 MINUTES AGO

... Earlier this month, the state Department of Public Instruction told North Carolina school districts that graduations must adhere to Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders. This includes limiting how many people can be at events and keeping people at least 6 feet apart to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In updated guidance sent last week, the state said graduation ceremonies are still subject to Phase Two rules limiting mass gatherings to no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

The Wake County school system canceled its traditional graduation ceremonies scheduled for large venues such as the Raleigh Convention Center and Reynolds Coliseum. Instead, each high school will hold a virtual graduation ceremony and an in-person event on campus.

Most Wake high schools are holding their events in June. Schools like Southeast Raleigh, whose school year ends in May, are holding events this month ...

https://www.heraldsun.com/news/local/education/article242872306.html

[struggle4progress]

15. Drive-thru graduations begin for Durham high schoolers

by: Randi Ayala
Posted: May 21, 2020 / 01:45 PM EDT / Updated: May 21, 2020 / 01:45 PM EDT

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – No traditional graduation ceremonies are happening this year but Thursday was still a milestone for some seniors in Durham.

Seniors from J.D. Clement Early College High School were the first to graduate at Southpoint Mall with a drive-in ceremony ...

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/durham-county-news/drive-thru-graduations-begin-for-durham-high-schoolers/

[dsc]

19. Ours was going to be somewhat like this

but more personal. Seniors would be walking across a stage.

[struggle4progress]

16. Seniors graduate in drive-thru ceremony

May 27, 2020 Anson Record

WADESBORO — It was a gray and muggy Saturday on May 23 as dozens of cars lined up at the Walmart parking lot to participate in the drive-thru Graduation Ceremony hosted by Anson County Schools to honor the 2020 graduation classes of Anson Early College and Anson High School.

Each graduate was allowed to have two vehicles filled with family members to participate in the service. The families watched on as the graduates, one by one, walked up a paved sidewalk to receive their diploma from a table. Once they received their diplomas, per tradition, the graduates moved their tassel from right to left to symbolize that they had officially graduated.

“We are so excited to honor our graduates in a unique way this morning,” said Anson County Schools Superintendent Michael Freeman as he spoke from the podium which was placed in the middle of the football field. “We’re going to have fun, we’re going to make the best out of a challenging situation” ...

https://ansonrecord.com/news/10061/seniors-graduate-in-drive-thru-ceremony

[struggle4progress]

17. No decision yet on New Hanover county graduation

By Matt Bennett - May 27, 2020 12:10 AM

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — There is still no decision on graduation ceremonies for New Hanover County schools. The conversation will continue for at least another week.

As of right now, a traditional graduation ceremony is on the calendar for June 13.

Two different task forces have been tasked with exploring other options for commencement ceremonies, including virtual, drive-in, and other choices more in line with current state health guidelines. Those task forces are made up of the senior class president, faculty class advisor and principal from each high school, as well as the Deputy Superintendent, Director of Secondary Education, Director of Safety, and a representative from New Hanover County Public Health.

They’ve been meeting for the past several weeks, and Deputy Superintendent Dr. LaChawn Smith gave an update to the Board of Education and interim Superintendent Dr. Del Burns Tuesday night ...

https://www.wwaytv3.com/2020/05/27/no-decision-yet-on-new-hanover-county-schools-graduation/

[struggle4progress]

18. Seniors attend modified in-person graduation

May 26, 2020 7:27 p.m. EDT

... They came one-by-one in cap, gown and mask.

“Seeing the school again, it’s like you reminisce on all the memories you had here," said Michael Barris, a senior at Knightdale High School.

Some students, like Larissa Weiner-Nichols, expressed bittersweet nostalgia, saying they had no idea when they left for Spring Break it would be their last day of high school--ever.

Proud smiles are hidden behind masks, as nearly 400 graduates were given an opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their diploma--during separate ceremonies allowing for 8 students a piece. Social distancing was still a priority ...

https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/seniors-attend-modified-in-person-graduation-reflect-on-year-cut-short/19115229/

[tavernier]

25. Florida Keys: graduation tonight was virtual

and it was absolutely awesome!! But a couple of hours earlier the class of 2020 was allowed a car parade on a long secondary road. Families and friends sat on curbs and waved and honked and shouted.

Last night was virtual seniors night and all the Local organizations gave out Millions in scholarships to all the college bound graduates.

AND the electric company and local businesses posted every senior picture along the highway.

Lord I love my town, my little island in the sun.

And in case you’re thinking that it is a monied area with lots of rich kids, think again. Most are kids of service people... restaurant cooks, waiters, bartenders, teachers, etc.

[dsc]

26. update

board meeting at 2:30 Friday to make a decision. An unsigned letter from a high school principle supported by 7 others (so nearly all our high school principles) is opposed.

[Hortensis]

27. Such good and encouraging news. What victories proponents of

culture wars-driven depraved indifference to life take from this will be through misuse of power, not support for it.

Btw, I loved reading above that the counties' low-budget, depersonalizing, mass ceremonies are being replaced by ceremonies at the schools, where those involved actually know each other. It'd be fantastic if that were a lasting effect.