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La Feria High School to hold live in-person graduation on May 29
- Updated: May 22, 2020
By BILLY WATSON
LFN
La Feria ISD announced late Monday, May 11, that the school district will be hosting a live in-person graduation ceremony for the La Feria High School Class of 2020.
The graduation will take place at Lion Stadium Friday, May 29, at 8 p.m. with the live screening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
With COVID-19 and social distancing in mind, the school district will be limiting the number of guests per student at the graduation.
“In order to maintain safe social distancing, we are allowing only two guests per graduate,” La Feria ISD said in a social media post. “However, we will live-stream the ceremony so that the entire community may view the event. As more details become available, we will share them with our community. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
La Feria ISD School Board President Juan Briones said he is excited to see the Class of 2020 walk the stage.
“Walking the stage is one of the main things students look forward to after all these years of preparation for graduation and life after high school,” Briones said. “Our high school administration and everyone working on graduation have been amazing at planning for different scenarios so that our students have a memorable graduation.”
In addition to the in-person graduation, the administration came up with another surprise to honor the graduating class.
“Additionally, we have collaborated with the city to put banners downtown for the graduates and banners will be posted across the front of the high school, too,” Briones said.
Because of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 and the slow process of reopening the state, precautions will still be taken by the school district for graduation.
“We will be taking all the precautions recommended by TEA for an outdoor in-person graduation,” Briones said. “Some include COVID-19 screening questionnaires before the ceremony, sanitizer stations, required facial coverings, only two tickets per graduate, assigned seating on both sides of the stadium at least six feet apart, staggered entrance and exit to help prevent congregating plus many more. The plan presented to the board was over 10 pages long.”
Overall, Briones thinks it is the right idea because it is all about the students.
“Administration made the decision for an in-person graduation once guidance is available from TEA because they knew it is what the students wanted,” Briones said.
The Texas Education Agency announced May 5 that graduation ceremonies are permitted for the class of 2020, including virtual, hybrid, vehicle and outdoor in-person ceremonies. The outdoor graduation ceremonies are permitted in rural counties between May 15 through May 31 and ensures public health and safety remains the focus for all involved.
La Feria ISD started online learning after Spring Break and now joins other schools holding in-person graduations, including Los Fresnos, San Benito, San Isidro, and Lyford.
