Hoover Schools Amend Guidelines For Graduation Ceremonies

HOOVER, AL — Amid concerns over health and safety from some students and residents, Hoover City Schools amended requirements to attend upcoming graduation ceremonies at the Hoover Met. The ceremonies are scheduled for next week.

A petition to Hoover city schools was started by a 2005 graduate of Hoover High School, which has been supported by current students, parents and teachers.

"While we understand that graduation is a special achievement, and we want the class of 2020 to celebrate, an in-person graduation is too great a risk to students, teachers, administrators, and the Hoover community at large," said Dr. Libby Mims, a 2005 graduate, who started the petition.

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The school system announced Friday that certain guidelines will be followed for the May 20 and 21 events:

• Masks now required for everyone who wishes to attend the ceremonies
• The system will have staff seat family units in socially distanced seating
• The system is asking for limited movement inside
• The system is offering individual ceremony for some students

Spain Park will hold its ceremony Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m., while Hoover will hold its ceremony Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. Hoover Metropolitan Stadium has a normal seating capacity of 10,800 that must be halved under state pandemic rules.

Dr. Sharon Tsay, an infectious disease specialist in Atlanta and a 2003 graduate of Hoover High, wrote to Hoover officials after hearing about the decision to move forward with the graduation ceremonies, asking them to reconsider.

Tsay and other alumni working in health care professions penned a letter to the Hoover Sun laying out medical and scientific reasons why the large gathering is dangerous.

SEE ALSO:

• Graduation Ceremonies In Hoover Move Forward As Planned
• COVID-19 Cases Pass 11,000 In Alabama
• Cornoavirus Antibody Tests Available At UAB