As expected, Fresno high school graduates won’t have a “physical graduation” ceremony in June, Superintendent Bob Nelson announced Monday afternoon.

Speaking during an online news conference, Nelson acknowledged “the bad news” that seniors wouldn’t have a traditional commencement ceremony in June.

Instead, Nelson said, students would have alternative “virtual graduation ceremonies.” He also said a conventional ceremony would be held “as soon as it is reasonably safe.” Nelson said he hoped the ceremony could be held in August, if possible.

“No matter when that might be, we will do that,” Nelson said. “We’re going to celebrate you in June, and we’ll celebrate with you again when we can connect in person.”

Nelson said the schedule for “virtual ceremonies” would be released by May 15. Those ceremonies, Nelson said, would be broadcast on some local television stations and on the district’s website. Seniors will also receive “special recognition packages” from their schools that include school “swag” to help them celebrate, Nelson said.

Graduates who have already ordered their cap and gowns won’t be refunded, Nelson said, and seniors who still want to order them can.

Grades will be finalized on May 22 for all seniors except for design science students who have until May 15, Nelson said. Senior checkouts are May 26 through May 29, when students need to turn in textbooks, uniforms, borrowed technology, and instruments. Schools will be following COVID-19 safety protocols during checkouts.

Clovis Unified School District is working on reserving a venue for a traditional graduation ceremony planned for mid-August if public health and safety restrictions have relaxed, officials said last week.

Clovis schools will also stagger individual ceremonies for each senior at their high schools in May and June. Clovis schools are also taking the unusual step of buying cap and gowns for all graduates.

Summer Learning

Nelson also confirmed the district’s summer school program would be available exclusively online as health officials urge residents to remain home and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Summer school details will be announced in May through letters, texts, calls, and the district’s Atlas portal.

“If you’re not getting any calls, this is the perfect opportunity for you to reach out to your school’s office and make sure we have the correct number and the correct email so we can have the best possible opportunity to contact you,” Board President Keshia Thomas said.

The distance learning format allows all students the opportunity to participate in summer school. It’s unclear if the distance learning model will cost the district more money, but he said, “it may be similar” to the cost of traditional summer school.

Thomas said distance learning had been a difficult transition for everyone, but the district is “confident” it can provide a “high-quality opportunity for credit recovery.” Thomas acknowledged the concerns families and staff have regarding distance learning and said there’s a “misconception” that distance learning means kids are sitting in front of a screen all day.

“This is absolutely not the case, nor is it the most effective way for our students to learn in a distance learning environment,” Thomas said.

The district will have a live-streamed meeting on Friday at 11 a.m. to talk more about what distance learning involves. Board members, teachers, and other staff will be on the video chat.

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This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 1:14 PM.