Barrington Schools To Hold 'Virtual' Graduation Ceremony

BARRINGTON, RI — Plans are being finalized for a "virtual" graduation ceremony for Barrington High School to honor the class of 2020 that school officials said will be in line with the state's coronavirus-related restrictions.

The heart of the plan includes a video graduation in which students will report to the school individually by appointment over the next two weeks to have themselves filmed walking across the auditorium stage, while wearing a cap, gown and face mask, upon having their name announced. They will then stop for a photo and flip their tassel.

The video will then be edited and the virtual graduation broadcast on June 7 at 2 p.m. Only one graduating student will be allowed in Barrington High at a time and administrators must remain socially distanced.

"We understand that nothing we plan will replace the experiences of a student receiving a diploma in front of your classmates, families, teachers and community," Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said in a letter to the school community. "Graduating from high school is an important milestone in a student's life, which is a result of many years of hard work, relationships with classmates and teachers as well as opportunities to be part of a variety of school activities. Now is a time that we need to rally together and support and honor our graduates in alternative ways."

Messore said school staff and student leaders discussed several ways to hold some type of a graduation public recognition amid the coronavirus-related regulations that are expected to continue, in some form, indefinitely.

"We fully understand that this is a challenging time for our seniors and the community," Messore said. "Throughout our planning process, our foremost thoughts are on making this a memorable experience for our seniors. At the same time, we must ensure that we strictly follow the state guidelines on hosting graduations as well as adhering to Rhode Island's Department of Health advisories."

Some schools in neighboring states have recently announced plans to proceed with socially distant graduation ceremonies in-person for either June, or later in the summer, but Messore said that is not an option in Barrington given that Gov. Raimondo said a maximum social gathering limit of 50 people will be in place in the state at least through July 31.

"We understand that some protocols are being permitted in other venues, which (Gov. Gina Raimondo) guidance for graduation prohibited, and that these inconsistencies lead to confusion," he said. "As we celebrate and recognize our extraordinary students, we do not want to create an opportunity for any member of the Barrington community to contract COVID-19 during a graduation ceremony. Furthermore, we are mindful of the fact that many of the people who want to honor our graduates fit the demographics vulnerable to COVID-19."

Messore said the will be a planned car parade through town honoring graduates on May 29, a Blue & Gold decoration of the fence across from White Church and signs distributed to residents honoring the class of 2020.

Messore said a drive-thru graduation ceremony was considered, but a state Board of Health directive determined students would not be allowed to get out of their cars, or even roll down their windows, to receive a diploma. The directive said that no car within 6 feet of another should have its windows rolled down. Because of those restrictions, and environmental and health concerns related to having cars idling with their windows rolled up on a potentially hot day, the options were deemed not feasible.

It was also determined that a lack of restrooms would be problematic for an in-person ceremony of any kind.

"We sincerely wish that circumstances were different, and our graduating seniors were able to experience a traditional senior year," Messore said. "However, there is nothing we can do to reverse the negative impacts inflicted upon us by a situation outside of our control. We need to focus on celebrating our senior class while making sure that we follow all state and federal public health restrictions that are necessary to protect the children and adults of our community."