Bill Atkinson Progress-Index Staff @BAtkinsonpi

WednesdayMar25,2020at3:35PM

School superintendent says the system will honor the achievements of its class of 2020 in some manner once the health emergency has subsided

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HOPEWELL While the high school graduation might be out of sight because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is not out of mind as far as the schools chief is concerned.

School Superintendent Dr. Melody D. Hackney said Wednesday that the state-mandated closure of public and private schools is likely to postpone this years Hopewell High School commencement with the key word being postpone.

I dont want anyone sitting at home thinking that after 13 years of education, were not going to make it to graduation, Hackney said, adding that the system is committed to recognizing the academic achievements of the Class of 2020.

Hackney said plans are in the works for an observance at a later date when the area, the state and the nation emerge from their virus-forced social hibernation.

When Gov. Ralph S. Northam announced Monday that schools across Virginia would shutter for the remainder of the academic year, one of the first questions many began asking was how it would affect local commencement exercises. Northam said the state Department of Education would provide guidance to systems about how to handle events such as graduation.

Hackney said she was advised graduations would be a localized decision by each school system. So far, no other Tri-City area school system has announced commencement plans.

For the first time, Hopewell seniors were going to graduate at the Virginia State University Multipurpose Center in June, joining other local systems in doing so.

As for the new balanced-calendar schedule Hopewell plans to implement in July, Hackney said that is still on schedule to happen. The city School Board voted last year to have year-round education in all of its schools beginning with the 2020-21 year the first public system in the state to utilize it in all its schools.

Bill Atkinson can be reached at batkinson@progress-index.com. On Twitter: @BAtkinsonpi

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Hopewell graduation likely postponed but not canceled - News - Progress Index