The Houston Independent School District has decided to facilitate all high school graduation ceremonies for 11,000 seniors virtually.
Considering current challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, district officials said they believe virtual graduations are the safest option. The virtual ceremonies will begin on June 14.
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While graduations will take place virtually, seniors will have the opportunity to celebrate with other graduates during a citywide celebration on June 5, hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner. The celebration will take place outdoors at school campuses following strict safety measures.
Cypress high schools to hold in-door graduations
Cypress high schools will hold outdoor in-person graduations in early June at Berry Stadium.
The graduations will be held June 1-6 and will all start at 8 a.m.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest executive order allows school districts to keep their ceremonies completely virtual, celebrate seniors while they drive in a procession or host a socially-distanced outdoor ceremony.
On their website, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District said Abbot’s order requires outdoor ceremonies meet specific health standards including social distancing, screening for signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19, and limiting the number of participants, standards it’s assumed will all be in place for their June graduations.
CFISD said each graduate will be limited to a maximum of four guests.
They district said if for some reason Abbot’s current order is modified and June graduations are then not allowed, the district would then hold graduations in July and August. CFISD had previously planned on holding graduations in July and August.