Canyons School District to delay graduation ceremonies, but award diplomas May 28

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SANDY — The seniors have been heard, at least in one Utah school district.

But the ability to hold in-person, traditional graduation ceremonies is hardly finalized.

Canyons School District board members endorsed a plan Tuesday to postpone graduation ceremonies to a later date rather than host all-virtual commencement exercises, in accordance with Gov. Gary Herbert's soft closure of Utah public and charter schools.

The board will also allow schools to hand out diplomas May 28 to all seniors who have met the state’s graduation requirements, meaning for all intents and purposes, they will be graduated.

They will also allow schools to host a “celebration” of the senior class — like a dinner, banquet or dance — later in the summer consistent with county and state health department guidelines regarding COVID-19. Celebrations of the Class of 2020 when awarding diplomas will be acceptable, but must be compliant with local public health and safety regulations.

"We think it’s important to celebrate students who have done a lot of work to graduate this year," Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney told KSL. "There are a lot of things they're discussing right now where we could hold celebrations on the 28th, not traditional ceremonies we’re used to, but something to signify, 'Hey, Class of 2020, you made it.'"

The recommendation was not unanimous. One board member diverged from the majority opinion with concerns that scheduling a later date for commencement exercises could collide with ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings that may last into the late summer or early fall.

But most agreed the endorsement offers the best of both worlds for the senior class in the 33,000-student district, spread out among Alta, Brighton, Hillcrest, Corner Canyon, Jordan and Diamond Ridge alternative school.

"With this decision, the district is supporting the desires of our community by committing to holding traditional exercises at a future date,” board president Nancy Tingey said. “In the meantime, the schools can determine, according to guidelines of health and government authorities, various ways they can honor, celebrate and recognize this year’s graduating class."

It also allows schools to promote their own senior celebrations that don't conflict with state and county restrictions on mass gatherings.

“As long as these principals follow the county guidelines and governor’s restrictions, they can work within restrictions to celebrate on May 28,” Canyons School District superintendent Jim Briscoe said.

Briscoe would also like schools to set a date in July or early August by which they can hold traditional graduation ceremonies.

"You need to notify families now," he said.

We think it’s important to celebrate students who have done a lot of work to graduate this year.

–Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney

Other districts will provide virtual graduation ceremonies, while some — like neighboring Jordan School District — will host drive-up diploma gatherings and parades to celebrate seniors at the end of the school year.

Jordan, too, will hold a delayed yearbook signing event and dinner or dance when public health restrictions allow.

After seniors from across the state petitioned to allow in-person graduation ceremonies, the school district offered a survey to each of its high schools, seniors and parents to gauge the interest in postponing commencement exercises or allowing for a virtual ceremony.

According to the school board, 76% of students favored postponing graduation until a traditional ceremony could be held; 45% of students responded to the survey.

“All of my life, I’ve been excited for this event,” Cyprus senior Noah Burbridge told KSL in April. “Graduation is the capstone of high school. It’s like the very end, and its final victory of high school; you did it, and you made it through all this stuff.”

Complicating a new date for commencement exercises is the inability to schedule a venue, such as the Maverik Center or University of Utah facilities, without government approval.

Student Petition

Those restrictions likely won’t be completely eased until the state has reached the “green” phase of recovery from COVID-19 restrictions. The state moved to the “orange” phase last Friday, and tentatively expects to resume activities in the “yellow” phase in July or August.

“I agree that we probably need to set some tentative dates,” board member Steve Wrigley said. “Parents will be on vacation, and they may need to set that time aside.

“As we get closer, we’ll know more where the county is going. If it gets past August and into the next school year, we’ll have a really difficult time.”

Earlier in the day, the Utah High School Activities Association voted through its board of trustees to uphold the decision to cancel spring activities, including state championships and tournaments, through the end of the year. In its decision, the board said it was still too early to determine if fall sports like football and girls soccer would be played this year. The association will consider sanctioning events for the 2020-21 school year once all 29 counties have reached “yellow” status.

“The UHSAA will continue to work with its member schools to follow the ‘Utah Leads Together 2.0’ plan and its approach to dial up economic, educational, and extracurricular activities in a data-driven, measured approach,” the association statement read. “The UHSAA and its member schools are focused on creating conditions that will support the health and safety of high school students as the state moves from orange to yellow risk status.”

The board will meet again May 19.