Drive-In High School Graduations Canceled At Calf Pasture Beach

NORWALK, CT — The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has altered the education landscape in a myriad of ways, and on Monday, the virus again upended plans in Norwalk.

A decision to hold Brien McMahon High School and Norwalk High School graduations as drive-in ceremonies at Calf Pasture Beach have been canceled in favor of "drive-thru" events at each school on the original dates. Additionally, P-Tech students now will graduate with Norwalk High students, and Center for Global Studies students will graduate with Brien McMahon students.

"Last month, after surveying students, we shared with you plans for Norwalk High and Brien McMahon High schools to celebrate graduates via a 'drive-in' format at Calf Pasture Beach," officials wrote on the district's website. "The Center for Global Studies and P-TECH Norwalk would hold on-site graduates on each school campus.

"Since that time, plans to reopen the state have been modified, with the expansion of indoor dining put on 'pause,' while other states continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases. And as you may have read in the news, a similar drive-in graduation in nearby Chappaqua resulted in over 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

"With all this in mind, we have made the decision to change our plans for drive-in graduation at the beach. Instead, each school will plan its own 'drive through' graduation, at its own campus. In response to the feedback we received from CGS and P-TECH students, those schools will not have individual graduation ceremonies this year, but will instead participate together with their fellow graduates from Brien McMahon and Norwalk High.

"The dates will remain the same as originally proposed."

Under the new plan, Norwalk High and P-Tech students will participate in graduation ceremonies on Aug. 3, while Brien McMahon and CGS students will participate in graduation ceremonies on Aug. 4.

The times for both events have not yet been determined. Just under 400 students are scheduled to participate in the Norwalk High/P-Tech graduation, while just under 450 students are set for the Brien McMahon/CGS graduation, according to district officials.

"Like you, we had all hoped that the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis would no longer be an issue this summer," officials wrote. "But while our state has been a nationwide leader in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, we know that this public health threat is still active. Our goal is always to keep the health and safety of our students and staff in mind."