Peabody Delays High School Graduation

PEABODY, MA — The 350 graduating seniors at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School will have to wait until Aug. 1 to collect their diplomas and —hopefully — pose for photos in caps and gowns with family and friends.

"I know its hard, but that's what most students want," Class of 2020 Treasurer Julia Pellizzaro told the school committee during a virtual meeting Monday. The school board unanimously approved the new graduation date after considering alternatives, including a socially-distanced ceremony on the original June 5 graduation date.

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School committee members said the new date gives the school's graduation committee time to plan and assess what social-distancing measures will still be in place. "Pushing it off might give us bigger and better possibilities," school committee member Brandi Carpenter said.

Interim High School Principal Karen McGovern said the committee had "looked at every single option" with an emphasis on logistics and safety. Students wanted something more personal than some of the proposed alternatives, including a "drive-by" graduation where students would drive up to a podium in front of the school to collect their diplomas.

While Gov. Charlie Baker announced plans to reopen the state economy beginning next week, an order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people remains in place.

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).