MPS graduations to be at high schools with extremely limited guests, no speeches
Krista Johnson
Montgomery Public School seniors will have their graduation ceremonies at their high schools, with social distancing guidelines in place.
Each of the nine ceremonies will require specific guidelines for students and their small number of invited guests, a news release from MPS states.
Students will wear their caps and gowns and will be recorded on video receiving their diplomas at the school.
More:Virtual Senior Night: Honoring Montgomery's spring senior athletes
After receiving their diplomas, students will exit the building and leave the premises. Speeches by the valedictorians, salutatorians and principals will be pre-recorded and included in videos that will be made available later, the release states.
The date and time of each will be provided by principals to seniors.
Previously, the district had hoped to hold ceremonies at the Cramton Bowl, according to Communication Director Jade Jones. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, ceremonies were planned to start this week.
Like so many other milestones the Class of 2020 has been forced to sacrifice — their prom, senior trip, senior picnic — the plans set forth by MPS prove to be far from the traditional experience seniors generally get.
More:'Don't make me cry': Coronavirus pandemic robs high school seniors of precious memories
The closure of Alabama's public schools was announced the same day the state had its first confirmed case, on March 13. At that time, it wasn't clear if students would return to the classroom before the end of the school year or not.
In the two months since, schools were ordered to remain closed and Alabama's confirmed case count rose to over 10,000. Districts first had to figure out how to keep students fed, and then implement virtual learning plans, with MPS deciding on a mix of online and paper-packet instruction.
About 3.7 million meals have been served to students throughout Alabama, state superintendent Eric Mackey said during the Thursday state board meeting.
With restrictions loosened under Gov. Kay Ivey's most recent order — which went into effect May 11 — districts throughout the River Region have began to announce graduation plans.
Autauga and Elmore county districts, as well as Pike Road, will host their graduations outside at each high school.
More:River Region schools announce graduation ceremony dates
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.