Senior Graduation Event Update

Today we received incredibly disappointing information. a new notice from the County of Los Angeles Public Health, Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer and Los Angeles County Office of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo. (below is the official notice) This measure prohibits any In-Person Graduation Events. Students coming on campus at all is a violation of the ordinance even one student at a time. With this notice from the County of Los Angeles Public Health and Los Angeles County Office of Education we will have to suspend our goal of taking pictures of the class of 2020. We will as a school need to restructure our plan to get images for our Virtual graduation, give out senior swag, reimbursement checks and other senior items to ensure that we follow the new guidelines. We will put a new plan together and will be notifying all families by Wednesday May 20^th. It is with a heavy heart that we must share this information with you.

Sincerely,

Ms. Kraus

Joint Statement of Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer

and Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo on

In-Person Graduation Ceremonies

The health and safety of our County’s students, staff and families are top priorities for all of us.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Officer’s Safer at Home Order prohibits all public and private gatherings. The Order does not allow any exemptions for graduation gatherings of any type in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. This means all in-person graduation ceremonies, including use of cars for drive-in graduations (even if one student at a time), are considered public gatherings and are therefore prohibited. Virtual ceremonies are permitted and encouraged as a means of commemorating this important life event for young people and their families.

We fully appreciate how disappointing it is for all our graduates to be denied the recognition they deserve for their academic achievement. It is unfortunate that such an important rite of passage has to take place virtually during this pandemic, and we deeply regret the heartache this may cause our students and their families.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education does not have the authority to direct how a district or school will handle its graduation ceremonies. These are local decisions that will need to be made in compliance with the Safer at Home order.

We are confident the education community will find creative ways to virtually celebrate the Class of 2020 while protecting everyone’s health and safety.