CMS will not hold in-person graduations, but district begins planning alternatives

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will not host traditional graduation ceremonies this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and the closure of schools, officials said.

Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order closing all K-12 schools in the state of North Carolina for the remainder of the academic year. Students will continue with remote learning through the end of the school year, which for CMS will be June 9.

While the more than 30 graduations scheduled for May and June will not take place as originally planned, the district is looking for alternative ways to celebrate the graduating class of 2020. The district has assembled a task force of high school seniors, parents, high school principals, teachers and administrators to plan this year’s graduation.

The class of 2020 has “missed significant moments during the COVID-19 crisis,” the district said in a statement.

In a Facebook post, school board chair Elyse Dashew said that the district was working to find a safe and creative way to honor this year’s seniors.

“Hang in there, Seniors,” she wrote. “We care about you very much and we want you to have a graduation ceremony to treasure.”

The group will meet virtually and is co-chaired by Kondra Rattley, associate superintendent for high school equity, and Damon Willis, the district’s Broad Fellow. Deputy superintendent Matt Hayes will also serve on the task force.

The district is currently asking parents and seniors for suggestions on how to safely celebrate the class of 2020. Recommendations can be provided here.

A final decision on the format of graduation will be made during the May 4 school board meeting, Dashew said on Facebook.

This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 12:59 PM.