Tears For 'Emotional Journey' As Fairfield Graduation Plans OKed

FAIRFIELD, CT — The conversation became emotional Tuesday as Fairfield school board members prepared to approve next week’s high school graduation plans.

Board member Jennifer Jacobsen thanked the headmasters of Warde and Ludlowe high schools for their work on the events, her voice tearful over the teleconference line.

“Now we’re all going to start crying because we just — it’s been such an emotional journey on this topic,” board Chairman Christine Vitale said during the remote Board of Education meeting.

The unanimous vote followed a month of intense discussion about how to balance safety and celebration by holding graduation ceremonies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which since March has killed well over 4,000 people in Connecticut. The headmasters initially announced a car parade was set to replace the traditional graduations, but days later reversed course and decided to evaluate other options. On Friday, they confirmed each high school would have a drive-in graduation on Jennings Beach.

“There really is nothing more special than that night,” Ludlowe Headmaster Greg Hatzis said. “… This will be one to remember.”

The drive-in format was made possible by the loosening of state virus prevention guidelines, Hatzis said last week in a message to the school community. Each student will be able to walk across a stage to receive a diploma case, while their family watches from a parking lot specially configured for social distancing. Families must remain in their vehicles, but the ceremony will be projected on two jumbo screens, broadcast live on the radio and recorded. Everyone in attendance will be required to wear a face mask.

“The end result really represents the best of the ideas that have come forward,” Superintendent Mike Cummings said. “… This truly is the greatest representation of the town pulling together for a common goal.”

Ludlowe graduation will be 8 p.m. Tuesday and Warde graduation will be 8 p.m. June 17. The rain date for both is June 18. Neighbors will be notified in advance. The ceremonies will cost more than the school district normally allocates, according to Warde Headmaster Paul Cavanna, who added that, “our seniors have lost so much,” and, “we just need to do it.”

The class of 2020 is finishing their final year remotely after the district switched to distance learning in March to prevent the spread of the virus. The pandemic also resulted in the cancellation of prom, spring sports and other activities, with non-essential businesses and state-sanctioned social gatherings only recently starting to return.

“There has been a loss for these students and I’m looking forward to celebrating them,” Vitale said.