Paloma, Heritage will have modified stadium graduation

Graduates and spectators will attend graduation ceremonies in person, but more socially distanced than in this 2017 ceremony. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Perris Union High School District will host high school graduations in a traditional in-person format with some modifications, the district announced this week.

Seniors at all four high schools in PUHSD – including Paloma Valley and Heritage – will walk across the stage in their school’s football stadium to receive their diploma. Paloma Valley’s ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m.; Heritage’s will take place on Friday, June 4, also at 6 p.m.

According to Candace Reines, deputy superintendent of PUHSD, graduates will be seated in rows of chairs on the field, but they will be spaced six feet apart as a safety precaution. Dignitaries will also be socially distanced on the stage. All will be required to wear face coverings, as will family members and friends in attendance.

If Riverside County remains in the Orange Tier for COVID-19 protocol, each student will be given three tickets for family to attend. If the county moves into the lower-risk yellow tier, each student will receive five tickets. Family groups will be socially distanced in the stands.

“Although there will be slight modifications, we feel we are giving the students and their families a very traditional graduation, which is what they want," said Candace Reines, deputy superintendent. "We all are still required to live within the guidelines set by the health department.”

Paloma Valley principal Jennifer Thomasian was one of several administrators who presented details about the graduations to PUHSD trustees at Wednesday’s board meeting.

“The seniors really wanted that moment of togetherness, the chance to celebrate together with their peers," Thomasian said. “They wanted the caps, have the confetti, all that. We are able to give it to them.”

A drive-through graduation, similar to last year’s event, would be used only if the county jumps two levels back to the Purple Tier, which is highly unlikely given the decreasing COVID-19 numbers.

District officials announced several other in-person events designed to give the graduating seniors at least some sense of normalcy in the final weeks of the school year. They include:

-- A day trip to Knott’s Berry Farm on June 1, giving the students as similar an experience to Senior Grad Night as possible.

-- Senior Awards Night and “Senior Sunset” year-end celebrations.

-- Yearbook distribution.

-- Drive-in carnival.

-- Team banquets.

-- Athletic Senior Nights

-- Spring Honor Roll awards.

The district has not announced any changes to its campus reopening instruction plans, in which seniors are allowed to attend class in person one day a week and others remain in total distance learning. Robert Brough, assistant superintendent of educational services, said the district is considering additional days of in-person instruction, but no decision has been made.

Meanwhile, district officials announced that they will offer two sessions of summer school with in-person instruction four days a week. Sessions will take place June 14-30 and July 7-23 and will be worth five credits each. Students will be required to wear masks and will be social distanced.

“We are offering a summer school program as never before,” Brough said. “We’re excited to offer this extra opportunity to as many students as possible.”