CMS Forms Task Force, Seeks Alternate Ideas For Graduation

CHARLOTTE, NC — Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has upended the academic year for students across the country, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is seeking ideas from the community for to create an alternate high school graduation for its seniors.

Students throughout North Carolina learned last week that public schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, forcing school districts to brain storm new ways to mark important milestones for students, such as graduation and prom.

"Seniors, I know that shutting down the schools has caused heartbreaking loss for your senior year," said CMS Board of Education member Elyse Dashew in a Facebook post Friday. "We are committed to finding a safe and healthy way to honor you in your graduation ceremony.

The ceremony, however, will look different from traditional graduation ceremonies, and "must be creative and intentional," she said.

CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston has launched a task force of high school seniors, parents, high school principals, teachers and central CMS staff to advise on possible alternative plans, Dashew said.

"Many of you have great ideas for the task force to consider," she said.

Ideas may be submitted here, she said.

CMS families will also be sent a survey before the task force presents its final recommendations to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education the week of May 4, Dashew said.

"Hang in there, Seniors," she added. "We care about you very much and we want you to have a graduation ceremony to treasure. We are in this together."

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