Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Outlines 'Drive-Up' Graduation

PLYMOUTH, MA — Plymouth Public Schools remain determined to hold graduation ceremonies as scheduled on June 6 despite the coronavirus health crisis.

Plymouth Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gary Maestas acknowledged in outlining the town's planned "drive-up" graduations, however, that things will look vastly different than in any other year.

"I am truly, truly sorry we cannot offer you the graduation you envisioned," Maestas said in a video message to the school community. "The graduation we have planned for you, we will make it memorable."

Dr. Maestas raised some eyebrows across the state when he said on May 6 that the graduation would go on June 6 at a site to be determined "with all the appropriate social distancing protocols that exist today." While he said at the time the ceremony would be held with approvals at the state level, Gov. Charlie Baker referenced the ambitious idea of an in-person graduation within the month as a point of concern during one of his daily news conferences while the state was still under a stay-at-home order.

In the more specific plan revealed this week, however, Dr. Maestas dispelled the notion that the final plan will include rows of graduates on a field 6 feet apart the way some felt the original plan portended.

"Every indication we have is that social distancing the way we see it today is going to be in place for the foreseeable future," Maestas said. "And the opportunity for all of us to be on a field with your parents is just something we cannot do."

The "revised" plan still involves a site to be determined, but also a drive-up up system in which graduates will be given a specific time to arrive at a "staging location" in a car driven by a family member or guardian. Graduates will then get out of the car, walk across the stage in a cap and gown, and receive diplomas as each individual name is called.

Students will then have their picture taken and receive a gift from Dr. Maestas and community members. Plymouth South will go in the morning, with Plymouth North in the afternoon.

Dr. Maestas said proper socially distancing will be observed. He did not say whether face masks will be required for the walk across the stage, or the picture.

No family members or friends will be allowed at the ceremony — he said private security will be on hand to enforce those rules — but that the entire ceremony will be filmed for a livestream. He added that there are hopes of broadcasting the ceremony over a radio frequency so that those in their cars waiting for the staging area will hear their classmates' names announced.

He said graduates will be able to decorate their cars "tastefully" much the same as they have traditionally been able to decorate their caps.

Plymouth will conduct its awards ceremonies virtually in the days leading up to graduation.