Brick Schools Ready For In-Person Graduations

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township's graduating seniors will have in-person graduation ceremonies in July, after Gov. Phil Murphy announced that outdoor gatherings will be allowed to increase to 50o people.

"This is great news! I’m excited that today the governor increased the number of people permitted to attend in-person graduation ceremonies after July 6th," Brick Superintendent Thomas Farrell said. "We are excited to see the Class of 2020 graduate in-person (albeit multiple ceremonies to meet the capacity criterion at this point)."

Murphy made the announcement of the plan to increase gathering sizes on Tuesday as he announced a further relaxation of state restrictions amid the coronavirus crisis.

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"I AM SO HAPPY FOR OUR SENIORS!" Farrell said by email.

Details on what the in-person ceremonies will look like are still being finalized, said Susan McNamara, the Brick Schools' director of planning, research and evaluation.

"We have had a plan in place for a while," McNamara said, one of several the district had drawn up based on differing scenarios for public gatherings. Farrell had promised in May, when Murphy closed schools for the remainder of the academic year, that the district was holding out hope for in-person ceremonies.

The tentative plans are to have the high schools' graduations likely July 8 or 9, she said. The administration and the principals at both Brick and Brick Memorial are scheduled to meet Wednesday, and the plans must be approved by public safety officials as well.

The district is planning for multiple ceremonies to meet the guidelines under Murphy's executive order limiting gatherings amid the coronavirus crisis. Each high school has roughly 300 graduating seniors, McNamara said. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The in-person ceremonies will follow the virtual graduations for both Brick and Brick Memorial, which are set for June 19, the last day of school.

McNamara said the district has been celebrating the seniors at the two high schools with a few events. On Monday, it held the Mustang Stampede, with seniors driving through the school parking lot with their vehicles decorated to celebrate their achievements. You can see that below.

A Dragon Drive is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Brick High School, she said.

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