With light shows, car parades and special gifts, school districts throughout Orange County are taking innovative approaches to high school commencements during the pandemic.
Most are planning to host virtual ceremonies to honor the Class of 2020, but some are exploring in-person options like drive-throughs with social distancing measures in place.
The Orange County Register recently reached out to local districts to put together this graduation roundup.
And here are some of the other stories we’ve been tracking:
- Perhaps as early as next week, the state is expected to release its guidance for reopening schools, and the Orange County Department of Education and its district partners will follow suit with local recommendations. But, as the Orange County Register reports, each district will set their own policies under their locally elected school boards and superintendents.
- EdSource, previewing a draft of the state’s guidance, reports that school districts will have flexibility on multiple fronts and that students will be encouraged to wear face coverings when schools reopen, but they won’t be a requirement.
- While it’s difficult to say exactly what school will look like in the fall, we do have a pretty good idea of when classes will begin. Here’s a list of anticipated start dates for every school district in Orange County.
- Students from Trabuco Hills High School recreated their entire campus using the popular game Minecraft. Now they’re inviting the entire student body to attend a virtual prom.
- Jackie Christy, the principal of Benson Elementary School in Tustin, shared some home-schooling tips for local families through the Orange County Register.
- High school football coaches in Orange County remain cautiously optimistic that their players will take the field for the upcoming season.
- In-person dining at restaurants and retail shopping were allowed to resume in Orange County with modifications to keep customers and employees safe.
- Tesoro High choir students typically end the school year with a pops concert that culminates with “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent. This year, they planned and staged a virtual rendition.
- The Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership has honored two schools, a community organization and a pair of advisors for their efforts to promote youth leadership while leading alcohol and drug prevention initiatives.
- A second-grade elementary class used 6-foot PVC pipes as a reminder to social distance during a recent field trip through the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach.
- Los Angeles County issued its school reopening guidance this week, offering recommendations for social distancing that could affect 2 million students and their families.
- Members of the state Assembly expressed criticism of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to close the budget gap with cuts to schools, health care and safety net programs.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.