ATLANTA — Atlanta Public Schools has announced plans to hold virtual graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 in May, due to social distancing restrictions that continue in place for large gatherings.
The school system says more traditional ceremonies will be delayed until the summer or a later "safe date" that is more amenable to guidance from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
School officials said a survey of more than 1,600 graduating seniors indicated a preference for a delayed open-air or fall ceremony.
As part of the proposal, APS will conduct a virtual ceremony during the traditional May graduation season between May 18 and 21 and plan for a traditional graduation ceremony for each school when health guidelines allow.
In addition, the school system plans to work with individual schools to coordinate creative efforts for families to engage in at their homes and with their loved ones before and during the ceremony.
APS says they plan to coordinate delivery of the graduates' diplomas in May through the mail or some other safe distribution method.
They said they are considering late July dates at Lakewood and Grady stadiums as possible venues.
If the ceremonies need to be delayed any further, they are considering other venues or ticketed ceremonies at individual schools, perhaps during Thanksgiving or winter break to maximize graduate or family attendance.
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