Coronavirus Jeopardizes Central Bucks Graduation Ceremonies

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Graduation ceremonies for Central Bucks students, as well as those across the state, remain in jeopardy due to the coronavirus outbreak that has shuttered school buildings through the academic year.

Officials with the Central Bucks School District said in a letter to the school community they are currently weighing a resolution related to graduation ceremonies.

"I cannot answer specific questions at this time, but we are looking for answers and possibilities to appropriately honor our 2020 senior class and are actively researching these avenues. We will continue to work with our senior class advisors, principals, and students to create a safe, memorable, and respectful graduation ceremony," Superintendent John Kopicki wrote.

In addition to graduation, officials are considering "strategic ways" to conduct other year-end traditions, including high school Summa assemblies, senior award ceremonies, and yearbook distributions.

School principals this week are expected to communicate with each high school’s senior class council and senior class advisor to seek their input on potential ceremony ideas, Kopicki said.

"Understandably, there are logistics and safety concerns to contemplate for these ceremonies to come to fruition. I want to assure our school community we will overcome these challenges and work diligently to find solutions," the letter said.

Governor Tom Wolf, in a conference call with reporters Tuesday, addressed the issue of graduations, saying the ceremonies should follow social distancing guidelines.

Students will graduate, but how people celebrate the right of passage will be up to the districts in conjunction with the state's guidelines, he said. "Whatever (the districts) do, they better recognize that social distancing is going to be important," Wolf said.

The ceremonies must be planned "with a clear understanding that people are very concerned about their health."

Schools have been closed since March 13 due to the outbreak, which has killed 584 Pennsylvanians as of Tuesday. There were 1,146 additional positive cases of COVID-19 reported Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 25,345 cases.

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