Hempfield Area students will have to wait almost two more months to receive their diplomas after school officials pushed graduation to July amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Graduation is rescheduled for July 18 rather than the original May 29 date, according to a letter from the district. July 19 will act as a rain date.

“Understandably, there are logistics and safety concerns to contemplate for these ceremonies to come to fruition,” the letter reads. “We want to assure our school community we are working to overcome these challenges and are working diligently to find solutions. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to formulate a plan to conduct a commencement ceremony.”

Officials also announced that prom, scheduled for May 2, is canceled. The event could be rescheduled depending on social distancing guidelines.

Further information on the graduation ceremony and the possibility of prom will be announced at a later date.

The letter mailed to students outlined plans for the high school musical , which could be performed depending on social distancing regulations.

Seniors tentatively will be permitted to clean out their lockers during the week of June 1-5. They will receive yearbooks and caps and gowns at that time.

Those with remaining cafeteria balances will receive a refund check in the mail. Those with negative balances will receive a detailed bill.

“We understand our seniors, the Class of 2020, have been affected by this pandemic in ways that we cannot attempt to conceive, which is why it is important to all of us that we can provide some level of normalcy in an all-but-normal school year,” the letter reads.

Further information will be provided in a May 26 notice.

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