Brookline High School Amends Graduation Ceremony For Coronavirus

BROOKLINE, MA — Like every other school in the state, Brookline High School has been closed since the coronavirus pandemic began in March. In an effort to help seniors mark the end of four years in high school without spreading the virus officials came up with the amended graduation.

Instead of putting up stands and lining the field in front of the school with chairs, the high school graduation Sunday is banning anyone from the field and will instead involve cars and the conveying of diplomas with masks and gloves.

"While we understand that this isn't the ceremony the Class of 2020 expected, we look forward to celebrating with them," said Interim Superintendent Ben Lummis in a statement.

On June 7, at noon cars with graduating seniors in them will line up on Greenough Street or Davis Avenue based on numbers assigned to them, displaying the name of the graduating senior in the car window.

Unlike in normal years, only graduates and immediate family members are permitted to attend, and the district is requiring that anyone attending wear mask - and gloves - at all times. There's a provision for families to join on foot, but only four.

The school plans to stagger the procession, which will last from 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Once a car is called forward, students will get out of their car one by one in front of the Schluntz Gymnasium at the intersection of Greenough and Davis and make their way along the sidewalk through various stations. Four immediate family members, whether they are in cars or on foot, will proceed along the outside lane of Greenough Street, according to the district.

Here's how it will work:

• Station 1: Students will exit their cars from passenger side and take a photo next to their car.
• Station 2: Students will pick up their diplomas from a table in front of Schluntz Gym.
• Station 3: Students will take a photo holding their diploma in front of the school banner on the main steps.
• Station 4: Students will take a photo with a cardboard cutout of Head of School Meyer.
• Station 5: Students will the have their name read aloud on the steps of BHS among faculty members. Once their names have been read students will turn to face the cameras and toss their graduation cap.

At the end of the stations students will continue to proceed down Greenough Street and rejoin their cars or group of walkers for the procession east on Tappan Street.

The event will be live-streamed here and can be watched on Brookline Interactive Group's cable RCN channels 3 and 613, and Comcast channel 3.

To read more about how it will work: Public Schools Announces Graduation Procession