Norwin graduation falls within state guidelines, district says
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When Norwin High School conducts its commencement ceremonies for almost 400 seniors Friday night, there likely will be more than 250 people — graduates and guests — gathered at Knights Stadium for each of the two sessions.
Although Westmoreland County is in the green phase of the state’s covid-19 restrictions that prohibit large gatherings of more than 250 people, Superintendent Jeff Taylor said the plan to graduate students in two groups, with a maximum of two guests socially distancing from others in the bleachers, adheres to guidelines from the state as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All students and guests must wear a protective mask, and chairs for the students will be at least six feet apart.
Schools have been instructed to follow all CDC guidelines and state requirements, which prohibit large gatherings of more than 250 people for counties in the green phase, said Lyndsay Kensinger, a spokeswoman for the governor.
Norwin developed a plan in consultation with its solicitor that allows for several “gatherings,” but none greater than 250. There will be fewer than 250 people where the students will sit on the field. The “groups of people” in the bleachers will be limited to 250, with distancing expected between individuals and family groups, Taylor said.
The green phase of the covid-19 restrictions permits businesses to operate at no more than 50%. By having two ceremonies, “we will be well below 50% capacity of our stadium seating,” Taylor said. “We believe that a school district’s outdoor graduation ceremony would be applicable to this standard.”
The state Department of Education said graduation activities are a local decision and the department does not approve a school’s graduation plan.
All common areas will be cleaned and disinfected between ceremonies, Taylor said. Hand-sanitizing stations will be placed at the stadium entrances.
The school board approved the plan. North Huntingdon officials, state Rep. George Dunbar, R-Penn Township, and state Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield., supported it, Taylor said.
Greensburg Salem held its outdoor commencement Thursday at Offutt Field. Penn-Trafford is planning its commencement ceremonies for July 31 at Warrior Stadium. If the 250 limit of participants is not lifted, Penn-Trafford said it may have to move to a “modified” ceremony.