DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Pubilc Schools is responding to a flare up by parents of high school seniors by offering "personal commencements."
The district says each senior will have a assigned time range for them to walk across the stage in cap and gown to receive a diploma and have a graduation photograph taken. Each senior will be allowed to bring two guests.
The move replaces the district's plan for virtual only graduations after a Change.org petition asking for in-person ceremonies received nearly 2,000 signatures.
Des Moines School Superintendent Thomas Ahart announced that he'd like to have an in-person ceremony during last Tuesday's school board meeting. Previously, the district had scrapped holding physical ceremonies in the interest of health and safety. The district now says it wants to make sure each graduate has a chance to be presented a diploma. Most colleges and universities across Iowa have moved to virtual only graduations.
The district announced that personal commencements at Des Moines' five comprehensive high schools will now take place as follows:
JUNE 6: Hoover High School
JUNE 7: North High School
JUNE 13: East High School
JUNE 14: Lincoln High School
JUNE 20: Roosevelt High School
A statement from DPMS says that graduates will be given additional details, including specific times and locations for them and their two guests to arrive, by their high school. Each event will be scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, and will last most of the day.
The district is planning similar events for the Focus alternative program on June 3, Scavo High School on June 5, and Ruby Van Meter School on June 12.
In a statement, Superintendent Ahart said, “Every aspect to the end of the 2019-20 school year has had to change due to the pandemic, including how we honor our graduates, but we want to provide our seniors an opportunity to be recognized for their accomplishments. The personal commencements will pay respect to the Class of 2020 in a way that is safe for them, their families, our staff and the community.”