By executive order of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, in-person high school graduations of up to 150 people will be allowed outdoors starting June 26, “subject to any outbreaks or significant changes in the metrics.” However, the decision impacts each school district differently, based on enrollment in their respective graduating classes.
For instance, in East Hampton, where the senior class numbers approximately 230 students, school officials said plans to have a drive-in ceremony in the parking lot have not changed since the governor’s announcement. There will be a large screen and speakers set up so far-away cars can see and hear the ceremony; also, LTV will live-stream the event.
But in Bridgehampton, where there are fewer than 15 high school seniors, the governor’s change now allows for an in-person ceremony on the lawn in front of the school. It will be June 27 at 4 p.m., with a rain date the next day. Each graduate will be allowed to have nine family members in attendance, and all must wear masks. Community members and faculty are asked to watch the ceremony from the public sidewalk, and the ceremony will be live-streamed online as well.
“We are looking forward to celebrating each senior student with the ceremony you deserve, while maintaining the health and safety of all participants,” Michael Miller, the school principal, wrote in a letter to families this week.
At Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, administrators had two different plans in the works, hinging on a decision by Governor Cuomo: a drive-in ceremony and a socially-distanced, in-person version. “With the governor’s announcement this week, the tentative plan is to have the 75 graduates seated on the front lawn . . . and the parents in their vehicles on the perimeter of the lawn,” said Jeff Nichols, the school superintendent.
On Saturday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone had said he reached out to Governor Cuomo to lobby in favor of in-person graduation ceremonies. “I believe that we can do this safely, and therefore, we should do this because this is truly one of life’s special moments for students and parents,” he said in a statement. County officials and some state lawmakers are still pressing the governor to allow larger ceremonies later in the summer.