Wisconsin Sets New Guidelines For 2020 Graduation Ceremonies

MILWAUKEE, WI — The ongoing coronavirus public health emergency in Wisconsin means graduating seniors across the state will not have the same type of graduation ceremony their predecessors had at this time in previous years.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued new guidelines this week pertaining to graduations, eschewing gatherings of "any amount of people" outside the household. Health officials also said they were wary of drive-through graduation ceremonies, but did offer two models which conform to social distancing guidelines.

"At this time, the Department of Health Services recommends that schools cancel or postpone all in-person ceremonies for spring and summer graduations," state officials said. "Any graduation event held at this time should be virtual or non-contact, and should not physically convene groups of people together."

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions.

State officials said they would reevaluate their recommendation on in-person public events once the state has seen a sustained downward trajectory in COVID-19.

"This is a rapidly changing and evolving situation, but it is unlikely that any large gatherings would be recommended throughout the summer," they said this week.

According to a JSOnline report, that makes the timing of the Franklin and Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School Districts' graduation ceremonies a bit suspect. That's because both districts are set to host their 2020 commencement ceremonies at Miller Park in July. "Oak Creek High School has a long-standing relationship with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers offered an alternative date some weeks ago. Celebrating with our students and their families in this amazing venue remains our hope. The Brewers continue to hold our date, and we will see what the future holds, together," Oak Creek-Franklin Superintendent Daniel Unertl said in the report.

Drive-Through Graduation Ceremonies

State officials recommended alternative graduation observances, yet stopped short of supporting drive-through ceremonies.

"Gatherings of students and families in drive-through ceremonies, even in separate cars, may result in situations where ensuring adequate social distancing and protection of families and school staff is difficult," officials said. "This may put students and their families at risk, particularly for students or family members with underlying risk factors that put them at risk for severe health impacts if they contract COVID-19."

According to the Department of Health Services, if a school district pursues plans for a drive-through ceremony, "more care and complex planning is required in attempting structured and controlled drive-through graduation ceremonies that minimize risk."

Health officials recommended two models they support when it comes to drive-through ceremonies.

Under one model, students and their families would drive up to the school wearing masks. Only the student gets out of the car to receive the diploma, the principal says the name of the student on a loud speaker, a photo or video is taken of the student more than six feet from school staff, and the family drives away.

All of this would be done in a single-file line with support from law enforcement to ensure public safety and flow of traffic, they said.

Under a second model, all family members would stay in the car. The senior is in the front seat and the principal passes the diploma through the car window and shares congratulations. Everyone wears masks.

Related Reading

• Wisconsin Coronavirus Tracker
• Wearing Masks During Coronavirus: What The Wisconsin DHS Says
• Coronavirus: Some Wisconsin Businesses Can Reopen Under New Order

• What's going on in Wisconsin? Find Out Here
• Want to submit an article? It's easy.