COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After delaying the ceremony from May until early next month, Coldwater High School officials are now changing the venue for graduation this year.
Due to limitations from the State of Michigan on how many people can be outside at a school event at one time, and COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, school officials say graduation for the Class of 2020 will now be held at the Capri Drive-In west of Coldwater on Sunday, August 2.
According to C.H.S. Principal Bill Milnes, the move will allow for the most people to attend at one time, and will also allow the speeches to be broadcast into the vehicles through the theater’s sound system.
Milnes says because of the limit of how many people can be at an event, there will be two separate and complete ceremonies.
The gates will open at 4:15 p.m. for the first ceremony, which should start at 5:00 p.m. for students with last names starting with A through K. The second ceremony should start around 6:15 p.m. that evening for students with last names starting with L through Z.
In addition, all staff and school board members will be asked to stay in their vehicles.
Milnes says in a post on the Coldwater High School Facebook page, “We know this is not an ideal solution and we are hopeful that most graduates will be able to participate in the graduation celebration.”
Students and families have been asked to attend their designated ceremony and stay in their vehicles. They are being asked to ride together as much as possible to allow space for everyone’s vehicles at the site. School officials are asking people to limit themselves if possible to no more than two vehicles per student.
Students should wear their caps and gowns and other graduation awards that were handed out to them in May.
As students are asked to come to the stage to pick up their diploma cover and have their photo taken by a photographer, they must maintain their social distance and wear their mask, but they may take off their mask for the photo.
