KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Graduates in the Kalamazoo Public School district will turn their tassels while looking at computer screens.
KPS director of secondary education Johnny Edwards told school trustees during a virtual meeting Thursday evening that each high school will get a virtual ceremony, but details are still in the works.
This would include prerecorded speeches, student pictures, videos, and stories streamed on several online platforms.
In a written statement Edwards said, “The senior traditions that we have been accustomed to in the past have been altered significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has brought great sadness to our community, students — andespecially seniors — as schools were forced to close for the remainder of the school year which ended the winter athletic season early and canceled spring events in their entirety. Given the restrictions on the assembly of large audiences in the state of Michigan, it is in the best interest, health, safety, and welfare of everyone to cancel all in-person senior celebrations, including graduation ceremonies.”
He also explained that students preferred a traditional ceremony even if that meant holding it in August, but that idea had to be dropped because there is no way to assure it will be safe for such a gathering months from now.
Commencement ceremonies for Kalamazoo Central, Loy Norrix, and Phoenix high schools were originally scheduled for June 2-4. Dates for the virtual graduations have yet to be determined.
KPS is encouraging local businesses to congratulate the Class of 2020 on their social media pages and marquees.
WKZO is also saluting seniors with our Class of 2020 Senior Hotline. Call (269) 224-1624 to give an on air shout out or submit a photo on our website.
