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Celebrating major milestones like graduations and promotions have been put on hold in the traditional sense, forcing schools like those in South Pasadena, to change their way due to the coronavirus.
Following social distancing protocols, Marengo Elementary School plans to honor the educational accomplishments of 5th graders moving onto middle school through a virtual promotional ceremony.
Marengo students have received promotion yard signs, t-shirts, and yearbooks and, according to Andrea Fox, the South Pasadena Unified School District’s communications strategist, the school announced it will hold a Zoom promotion on Tuesday, June 2, at 9 a.m. with 5th grade teachers Mrs. Rodriguez-Wong and Mr. Aschieris and again at 10 a.m. with teachers Mrs. Orozco, Ms. Pittman and Mrs. Webb. The ceremony will feature music, student council speeches, and recorded messages.
A drive-by parade in front of Marengo may happen, noted Fox, but the plans have not been finalized. Other local elementary schools and South Pasadena Middle School have not reported promotion plans as of Tuesday.
The local high school will hold a drive-through graduation on June 3 at 6 p.m. in the parking lot on campus. The Class of 2020 may have missed out on some monumental moments, from prom to the grand walk across the stage inside the SPHS stadium to receive their coveted diploma, but school officials are trying to go extra mile to make the experience a memorable one.
There will be no spectators or parking in the school lot.
“Families (per Los Angeles County guidelines, they must be people of the same household) will be allowed one fully enclosed vehicle, and everyone over two years old in that car must wear a mask,” wrote South Pasadena High Principal Janet Anderson to SPHS families. “Again, there will be no exiting the cars. You will drive forward, leaving distance between cars, and make the left turn to head toward Fremont. Before you exit, you will have your special time to receive your symbolic diploma cover. This will be exciting for all of us!”
As explained in her correspondence, Anderson said a virtual ceremony will follow the drive-through and can be viewed at or after 8 p.m. on YouTube. She said the link will be sent later. Anderson said video will include baccalaureate inspirational speeches and a performance, graduation speeches, the conferring of diplomas, and photos representing the SPHS Class of 2020.
Editor’s Note: Stay tuned for promotion plans at Monterey Hills and Arroyo Vista elementary schools and South Pasadena Middle School.
