In-Person Individual Graduation Ceremonies Allowed For AACPS Kids

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD— Superintendent George Arlotto has announced a change in Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ plans to celebrate graduating seniors that will allow some family members to be with their graduates when they receive their diplomas.

In addition to the digital commencement celebrations that will begin on Friday, high schools and developmental centers will now offer graduates an individual in-person opportunity to receive their diploma at their school in their cap and gown and with a small group of immediate family members watching as they do so. Schools will also be arranging for photographers to document the occasion.

AACPS had tentatively planned to hold a cap and gown gala event for each school’s graduating class in late July, but Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman advised Arlotto that such large-scale gatherings will likely not be possible at that time. That information led to the cancellation of the late July events, which the Live! Event Center at Arundel Mills had offered to host, and started discussions about the new arrangement.

“I have said since the day schools were closed in March that we would do everything we could to celebrate our seniors to the greatest extent possible,” Arlotto said. “This is an evolving situation, with the guidelines and restrictions continuing to change, and we must be able to alter our plans accordingly. I am grateful to Dr. Kalyanaraman and his entire team for their continued conversations as we traverse this difficult time for everyone.”

Kalyanaraman said he knows how important honoring the graduates of the schools is.

"It is conceivable that the conditions in late July may allow for the gatherings that had been planned, but it is unlikely. The path Dr. Arlotto has now laid out is a far better option," Kalyanaraman said.

Schools will individually schedule times for their ceremonies, which will be held over several days following their digital commencement celebrations. Information will be passed along to families by individual school officials. Graduates will be allowed to be accompanied by up to four immediate family members and must travel to the school in no more than two vehicles at their assigned time. Graduates will not be allowed to be accompanied by classmates, friends or other relatives.

Graduates and family members must remain in their vehicle until the scheduled time when the graduate will approach a stage set up outside the school, have their name called and be given a diploma. Family members may stand outside their vehicles to take photographs but may not be on stage with their graduate.

School staff will adhere to physical distancing requirements as they facilitate the events. All school staff and anyone getting out of a vehicle must wear a mask. Graduates may take their mask off only for the photograph and must then put it back on. Graduates and their family members must immediately return to their vehicle and exit the school grounds after the graduate receives a diploma.