Laguna Beach Unified to hold drive-through graduation, in-person celebration later in summer
The Laguna Beach Unified School District announced Friday it has received guidance from the Orange County Health Care Agency that will allow the district to hold a drive-through graduation.
The district is currently reviewing guidelines to hold an event for the original June 11 graduation date and plans to hold an in-person celebration later this summer on the week of July 27, if state and local agencies allow. More details will be provided at a later date.
The district previously said last week that it would be canceling its in-person graduation in favor of an online ceremony.
In a letter sent to parents and students by Laguna Beach High School Principal Jason Allemann on May 22, Allemann said, “School districts across the county and state are all grappling with the same challenges and trying to balance the importance of keeping our communities safe, while at the same time exploring options to recognize and celebrate our students.”
“We want nothing more than to celebrate the class of 2020 and their extraordinary achievements,” he said, “as well as honor the very personal sacrifices they have made for the public good and we recognize that a virtual ceremony is a disappointing alternative to the hats-off celebration you envisioned.”
Caps and gowns were distributed Thursday. Further details on how the graduation will proceed on June 11 will follow.
Orange County health officials reported 100 new cases of coronavirus Thursday, revealing a steady upward trend even as restaurants and retailers began reopening Memorial Day weekend.
During the district’s board of trustees meeting on May 21, Supt. Jason Viloria said he had been in conversations with students and other community members on where things stood as far as the district in terms of graduation.
“My understanding at the county health level is that an in-person, in any shape or form, graduation in June is not going to be possible,” Viloria said. “If things change between now and then, we will pivot very quickly, and we will try to determine what we can do within the legal guidelines.”
The district said it plans to hold an in-person celebration that is tentatively scheduled for July 27.
“We are not unlike most all Orange County districts looking for a date to honor our seniors,” Viloria said. “They deserve to be honored. It is a rite of passage and we are very hopeful that the directives will allow us to do that come later July.”
Viloria pointed to other districts such as Tustin Unified School District and Irvine Unified School District that were also looking into holding summer celebrations. The Newport-Mesa Unified School District also is holding online graduations with potential in-person summer events, if regulations on gatherings ease.
“It could be a very busy time in Orange County with graduations. I am hopeful that it is to be honest,” Viloria said. “I think they deserve that.”
“Thank you, seniors, for your continued patience, understanding, and dedication to your education during distance learning; especially as you navigate the start of college, applying to jobs, and other life milestones in a world that looks very different from what you expected,” Allemann said. “We have no doubt that you will continue to do great things in your future endeavors.”
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