High school prepares for in-person graduation ceremony
440 guests allowed in gym
440 guests allowed in gym
440 guests allowed in gym
A Racine County school is planning to hold an in-person graduation ceremony Sunday.
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"We've thought about this at great length. Our graduates have asked for this once in a lifetime event to please not be virtual," Waterford Union High School Superintendent Lucas Francois said.
Graduation will look a lot of different, but unlike other schools, it won't be virtual.
"We do require that everybody sanitize their hands upon entering the building," Francois said. "We're also requiring that everybody wear a mask to the event and that it stays on during the event itself. If anybody doesn’t have a mask, we have ordered extra masks and will make sure that everybody has a face covering."
Bleachers are marked with signs 6 feet apart, as well as chairs. Only two parents or guardians will be allowed for each student.
"Obviously, we'll be forgoing the handshakes, and there won't be any shoulder to shoulder pictures taken," Francois said.
Four hundred and 40 guests are allowed in the gym, which is less than 25 percent capacity.
Students will wait outside in small groups.
WISN 12 News asked the governor if holding the ceremony is legal.
"I believe it's possible. That's a decision that a local school board is making," Gov. Tony Evers said.
"The stay-at-home order was specifically instructed for extra-curricular activities, and we don't believe that graduation falls into either one of these categories," Francois said.
"For the folks who live in this community who are against this graduation, what is your message to them?" WISN 12 News reporter Sarah Thamer asked.
"We are doing our very best to make sure that we did everything in our power to make this event the safest event we can have other than staying at home," Francois said
The Waterford police chief said officers will be here to help move people along.
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