Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has announced that it will tentatively scheduled in-person high school graduations for August. The COVID-19 virus and the Governor’s closure of schools across the Commonwealth caused PWCS to cancel the graduations originally planned for June. Students will not be denied the opportunity to participate in graduation due to outstanding meal or other school-related debts.
Katherine Meints, principal of Brentsville District High School, worked collaboratively with the county’s other high school principals to develop a plan to celebrate the students.
“It is important to all of the high school principals that we celebrate this important milestone for our students,” she said. “We want our students to know that we are proud of them. We want to see their faces when they graduate, and it gives us a great opportunity to congratulate them, reflect on some great memories, create new memories, and wish them well.”
The high school principals have recommended graduation ceremony dates of August 4, 5,6, and 7, as long as public health guidelines allow. The specific dates will be decided and communicated in the next few weeks.
The graduation for Independence Nontraditional School is tentatively planned for August 3, and PACE West will graduate on August 19. The City of Manassas will determine graduation dates for the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, and Fairfax County will make that determination for Thomas Jefferson High School.
The schools are looking at a variety of venues, and hope to have families in attendance, though tickets may be limited depending on the physical distancing requirements at that time and the size of the venue. Additionally, high schools are working with graduation gown vendors on distribution of materials.
It is important to note that this plan and these dates may change depending on the evolving health situation related to the COVID-19 virus.