The Tamaqua Area School District announced Friday that its 2020 graduation ceremony will be held on June 26 at both the Tamaqua Area School District Stadium and the school’s auditorium. Previously ceremonies were set for June 5.

“The school district has been working tirelessly to try to provide the most traditional graduation ceremony for you, while also meeting the guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Department of Health and the Governor’s Office,” Superintendent Ray Kinder said in a letter to district families.

“This has been extremely difficult with regulations changing almost weekly and little clarity on essential components of the guidelines. Just yesterday, adjustments were made to the size of gatherings in the green phase that were not previously identified. As frustrating as this is to all of us, we are required to follow the rules set by these state entities and respect the real health-related concerns of many.”

The graduate and two guests will be assigned to either the stadium or auditorium. Half of the grads and guests will be in each location. Both locations will have access to each other through a video simulcast.

The letter said the event is intended to operate and feel like one ceremony.

Speeches and songs will be either prerecorded or performed live.

The Tamaqua seniors will have the opportunity to be presented a diploma or certificate.

Photographers and videographers will be on site. The graduates and their guests will exit the venue together.

Kinder’s letter mentioned 10 reasons to support the decision.

No. 1 said the format provides for an in-person ceremony, which was much preferred based upon a survey result.

“The date, although delayed longer than anyone wants, falls within the potential time frame identified in our survey. … The identified date of June 26 would almost assuredly secure a green phase to allow for this format,” the letter stated.

According to the letter, the format meets or exceeds standards related to social distancing and groups of 250 or fewer in the green phase.

“Should the unlikely scenario unfold that our county remains in the yellow phase on June 26, we should know that information by June 19. If that were the case, we would plan individual walks beginning Monday, June 22, that would be placed in video format for a later release.”

This graduation date will only be moved due to inclement weather.

“At the beginning of this school year, I’m sure we all had great expectations for what graduation would be like,” Kinder said in closing.

“None of us predicted this scenario. We did not cause this, but we are all in charge of how we react to it now. Is this what anyone wants? No. However, it is up to each graduate, parent, guardian, educator and community supporter to put their full effort into making it a special day for our graduating seniors who deserve our support and appreciation. My hope is that given our situation, you will view this as I do. It’s a way to honor our graduates’ wishes and offer a ceremony they can look back on with pride.”

The letter can be found on the district website at tamaqua.k12.pa.us.