Cherry Hill Schools Announce Virtual Graduation Plans

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Virtual graduation ceremonies for both Cherry Hill high schools will stream online the day that graduations were to have taken place, the school district announced. An in-person graduation ceremony has also been scheduled for later in the summer.

A virtual graduation ceremony for each high school will be filmed in advance and will air at the originally designated time on June 16, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Meloche announced in a letter to parents.

The ceremony for Cherry Hill High School West will stream at 11 a.m. The ceremony for Cherry Hill High School East will stream at 4 p.m. The ceremonies also will be archived and available on the District YouTube channel for later viewing.

An in-person graduation ceremony, in accordance with any social distancing mandates, will be scheduled for Aug. 6, at a venue to be determined. The PTAs for both high schools are considering their options for Project Graduation. The senior prom may also be held in August, at a venue to be determined.

On Saturday, Gov. Phil Murphy said in-person graduations violate the stay-at-home order. Read more here: NJ: No To Live Graduations, Wave Parades In Coronavirus Order

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“We are exploring options for a virtual graduation ceremony for each middle school that would be filmed in advance and would air on June 15,” Meloche said. “We also are reviewing the logistics for an in-person event later in the summer.

“We will be unable to hold “clap outs” at our elementary school buildings. Instead, when schools are reopened in the fall, our middle schools will hold “clap ins” for their incoming 6th graders. Details about the clap ins will be shared with incoming 6th graders’ families later in the summer. We are exploring options for a virtual clap out for our graduating seniors. We will be surveying our seniors as part of the decision making and planning process.”

The district is working on dates and times for students to be able to pick up their belongings and medications from their respective schools.

“Please understand that the safety of our students and their families comes first in all decisions regarding these events. We understand and share your desire to be together, in person, and we will hold in person events only if it is safe to do so. Circumstances may change in the coming months and new directives from the governor may require a change of plans,” Meloche said. “As the parent of a senior at Cherry Hill High School West myself, I share in my daughter’s disappointments this spring. At the same time, I am making every effort to show her that we are strong enough to handle these disappointments and move forward with joy about all she has accomplished and all that is ahead of her. I hope you will join me in showing empathy toward your children, while leading them forward in a positive way.”

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know