MADISON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — Seniors looking forward to drive-through graduation will be subject to strict rules from the Department of Public Instruction.
DPI recommends against in-person graduations.
The Department of Health Services recommends that schools have online ceremonies only; but gave the following recommendations for drive-thru graduations.
- Model 1: Students and their families drive up to the school wearing masks. Only the student gets out of the car to receive the diploma, the principal says the name of the student on a loud speaker, a photo or video is taken of the student more than 6 feet from school staff, and the family drives away. All of this would be done in a single-file line with support from law enforcement to ensure public safety and flow of traffic.
- Model 2: All family members stay in the car. The senior is in the front seat and the principal passes the diploma through the car window and shares congratulations. Everyone wears masks. This could be held in alphabetical order, and would be done in a single-file line with support from law enforcement to ensure public safety and flow of traffic.”
Northland Pines School District sent out a release on Monday morning, changing their drive-thru graduation to an online ceremony.
District Administrator Scott Foster said, ” it’s not really the law or the rules but doing what’s best for our students and their families.”
He noted that students and families are going to want to get out of their cars and give hugs. He said it’s not like a drive in where no one knows each other. Instead, seniors and staff are working on a virtual way to celebrate.
“There really isn’t that much that we are taking out of graduation,” said senior Jillian Gleason. She said the choir should still sing, the band still play pomp and circumstance, and students should still be recognized. “I’ve been going to Northland Pines since I was in kindergarten and Northland Pines has been supportive for all of those years,” said Gleason. “That hasn’t changed with any of this.”
