PUSD Seniors Will Still Have a Chance to Participate in Graduation Ceremonies

Seniors at Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) schools will still be able to participate in graduation ceremonies, but not at the end of May – and not in their school assembly halls.

Instead, PUSD is working with School Shine, a Southern California company that partners with school districts and educational organizations to produce high quality video content, to set up virtual pre-recorded live-streamed graduation ceremonies in June.

In a statement, PUSD said high school seniors “are living a year that none of us ever imagined for them” as a consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that our seniors and their families/caregivers are feeling the loss of these special times with friends, classmates, and teachers. We feel that loss with them,” the statement said.

For the virtual graduation event, PUSD and School Shine plan to create an event that will be live-streamed June 24 to 26.

“High schools will arrange for the distribution of caps and gowns, photos, and other arrangements for graduations,” the statement continued. “Those details are being shared with seniors. We will provide you with details about the production of virtual graduations at a later date.”

PUSD said it will still plan an in-person event when the state Governor and public health authorities say it is safe to do so.

The statement said the school district is also planning celebrations for incoming fifth and eighth graders.

“Although these will not be formal promotions, we will celebrate our students,” PUSD said.