New Graduation Plans Announced In Cheshire

CHESHIRE, CT — As if planning a graduation in the midst of a pandemic wasn’t difficult enough, the Cheshire school district was forced to deal with the fallout from Tropical Storm Isaias. The storm initially knocked out power to more than 95 percent of Cheshire, but seniors will finally have the chance to celebrate their graduation with a ceremony this weekend.

Power has been restored to the Cheshire High School campus and officials have decided to hold the graduation ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 9.

Officials said they will hold three ceremonies to allow small groups of students to graduate on the field – the first at 11 a.m., the second at 1 p.m. and the third at 3 p.m. Officials posted the following graduation guidelines on the district’s Facebook page:

All participants attending the graduation ceremony originally scheduled for August 2 received a purple pass in the mail. We will allow 2 family members per pass; guests will sit in the bleachers maintaining social distancing. Family members will sit only in marked locations to allow distancing. Two members of the same household may sit together;

No one will be admitted to watch the ceremony other than the two guests per pass. We are able to hold this ceremony in this fashion only if we follow these strict guidelines; all students and guests must wear masks at all times;

Graduates, please review the arrival and departure times for each wave of graduates, and please adhere to the times. There is no early arrival, no saving seats, and no additional guests. The ceremony will be streamed either simultaneously, or with a slight delay. Either way, family members who are unable to attend in person will be able to see their graduate receive their diploma.