LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools are celebrating the Class of 2020 after the coronavirus cut their final year of high school short.
High schools across the district will turn on their stadium lights from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday night in honor of their seniors, and some schools will decorate their fields with special messages.
The stadium lights are just one way the district is celebrating its seniors before their last day of school. While Superintendent Marty Pollio said the district hopes to have in-person graduations this fall, schools will have virtual graduation ceremonies, featuring speeches from students and principals.
“We do want to celebrate the class of 2020 over the next three to four weeks, the rest of May, and to show the great accomplishments of this class,” Pollio said.
Pollio said TARC buses will have banners with the names of every graduate starting May 18. The district is also producing videos for each high school to air during local newscasts.
Graduation speeches of several JCPS seniors will air on WHAS Radio during the Tony and Dwight Show. WAMZ will also run 30-second “moments” from seniors recounting their senior years and thanking their classmates and teachers.
“That’s going to be a lot of work but we are committed to doing this,” Pollio said.
The last day for JCPS students is May 27. Pollio said the district has seen a 90% participation rate every week of non-traditional learning.
Several schools, including the University of Louisville and Bellarmine have virtually celebrated their seniors in pace of in-person graduations.
WHAS11 will update this story with video of schools' stadium lights after 8 p.m.
RELATED: Unexpected end to senior year is three times harder for Jeffersonville High School triplets
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