Seniors can pick up caps and gowns; graduation plans still up in the air
Seniors at Peninsula School District’s two high schools may not know exactly when and where they’ll graduate, but they can at least pick up their caps and gowns.
“Drive-by” pickups have been scheduled at Gig Harbor and Peninsula high schools by Jostens, the graduation vendor, for next week.
Peninsula seniors can pick up their regalia on Monday, May 11, and Gig Harbor seniors will get theirs Tuesday, May 12.
“Graduation has not been canceled at this point and is still two months away – so we really don’t know what will happen yet,” said Dan Sommerfeld, the Jostens representative, in a message to seniors. “And regardless of what the school does, you still deserve the recognition that a cap and gown provides, and the story that the announcement tells to let the world know you have accomplished your goals. “
Caps, gowns, announcement cards and honor cords will be handed through open vehicle windows by gloved and masked volunteers. Students and parents are asked not to leave their cars.
Pickup times are staggered according to last name:
▪ A-H, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
▪ I-N: 3:30 to 4 p.m.
▪ O-S 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
▪ T-Z 4:30 to 5 p.m.
Orders must be prepaid online at orders.jostens.com. Payments cannot be accepted at pickup.
A committee led by Peninsula School Board president Deborah Krishnadasan is considering various alternatives to traditional graduation ceremonies, including “virtual graduation,” by streaming video, and “rolling graduation,” which would divide the senior classes into smaller groups.
“I am sure that the school will recognize you in some sort of fashion even though it may be different-looking from graduations in the past,” Sommerfeld told the seniors. “If the school does change the graduation ceremony to a virtual ceremony, you will have your cap and gown for your picture to submit for the virtual ceremony and you will have your items to still celebrate with your families.”
This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 9:16 PM.