Neshaminy Pushing For In-Person Graduation

LANGHORNE, PA — The school board in Neshaminy School District is pushing for an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, despite measures in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In a letter to the school community, board president Stephen Pirritano wrote that Neshaminy High School could have "a traditional graduation ceremony (with safety modifications)." He said three dates have been reserved, but officials are targeting June 27.

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"Our seniors, the Class of 2020, deserve an in-person graduation ceremony," Pirritano wrote. "So much has been taken from them this year. Let’s not let this traditional end to the high school experience be stolen from them also."

Currently, Bucks County is one of 18 Pennsylvania counties that remain in the most-restrictive red phase of Gov. Tom Wolf's coronavirus shutdown plan. Wolf announced Friday that those counties are scheduled to move to the less-restrictive yellow phase by June 5.

But, even under the yellow phase, gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited.

RELATED: What You Can And Can't Do In PA's Yellow Phase

In Bucks County, 4,672 cases of the coronavirus have been reported, along with 436 deaths.

The Langhorne and Levittown area has been among the county's hardest hit, accounting for a total of 938 reported cases as of May 26.

Pirritano wrote that he has contacted state Rep. Frank Farry, state Rep. Tina Davis and state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson and that all three have "indicated support." None of the three had released a public statement on the issue as of Wednesday morning.

"The only thing that is standing in our seniors' way is the Governor," Pirritano wrote, urging community members to contact Wolf's office and the state Department of Education and "demand that they allow schools to conduct in-person graduation ceremonies NOW!"

Wolf said last month that any graduation ceremonies in the state would have to follow social distancing guidelines.

"Whatever (the districts) do, they better recognize that social distancing is going to be important," Wolf said.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said last week that, even in green counties, graduation ceremonies would have to abide by limits on crowd sizes.

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