Concerns related to COVID-19 have forced the cancelation of Upper Perkiomen's annual graduation ceremony. Earlier this month Dr. Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, announced that all 22 superintendents in the county agreed unanimously to avoid the celebrations during a conference call.

            "It's not safe to have a traditional graduation," Arkoosh said during her daily news conference on Monday, April 20.

            According to the commissioner, who said she participated in the weekly call hosted by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, all the superintendents agreed it would not be safe. She said they understood that bringing hundreds of people together for the ceremony could completely undo the progress made in combating the coronavirus.

            "This is sad news but absolutely necessary," said Arkoosh, the parent of two seniors. "They are making the right decision. At this point, there's no scenario I can predict a large number of people coming together."

            In a follow-up email received Monday morning, Upper Perk spokesperson Nicole Gum explained that the superintendents agreed to honor the commissioners' call of no mass graduations in June. She wrote that the issue was discussed, but no vote was taken.

            According to the message, Arkoosh related that traditional graduations are not going to happen in June – and possibly not in July or August either – but she did support alternative graduation celebrations that met the social distancing/no mass gathering rules.

            Arkoosh directed the public to send their superintendents alternative options.

In the Upper Perkiomen School District – where commencement is scheduled for June 2 –administrators will follow the guidelines identified by the commissioner, according to Gum. She explained in an email message that the current ban on large gatherings, such as in-person graduations, will remain in effect through June. The message states that although there is a slight possibility that the restrictions may become more relaxed in June, it's highly unlikely that the ban on large gatherings will be lifted.

            District officials are committed to finding ways to honor the Class of 2020 and individual graduate's accomplishments, according to Gum.

            There are already a number of conversations that have taken place, and will continue to take place, regarding graduation and associated events and activities for 12th graders at Upper Perkiomen High School, according to Gum. She wrote that High School Principal Rob Carpenter will be meeting with his student advisory council in the coming days to continue that dialogue.

            "We hope to have more details to share in this regard very soon," Gum wrote.