Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle
(626) 943-3000

Information regarding In-Person Graduation Ceremonies and Alhambra 2020 Virtual Graduation and Promotion Ceremonies
UPDATE TO GRADUATION CEREMONY GUIDELINES AS OF May 22, 2020
 
Car Parades
 
Car parades are now allowed so that graduations, birthdays and other special days and achievements can be safely celebrated. Car parades can not include participants on a bicycle, a motorcycle, a convertible with the top open, or a vehicle with no doors such as a golf cart. If any of the windows on a vehicle is open, the occupants of the vehicle must wear a face covering.
 
Any organization coordinating a large-scale parade must have a designated organizational host who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules for the parade and adherence to the State’s Stay At Home Order that precludes gatherings. Only those personnel of the organization necessary to facilitate the parade and to ensure compliance can be present at the location designated by the host. 
 
The host must: 
  • At its own cost, arrange for and provide security sufficient to ensure compliance with the State’s Order and address any traffic and safety issues.
  • Develop a parade plan that deals with State’s Order, traffic and safety issues, parade participants, and social distancing requirements.
  • Ensure participants and personnel adhere to the face covering and physical distancing requirements.
  • The host may provide a significant document to one vehicle parade participant at a time, such as a diploma or other paper, while adhering to face covering and social distancing requirements.
 
The parade must: 
  • Take place in an outside location large enough to accommodate the social distancing requirements.
  • Proceed by the host’s invitation only, with the parade limit of vehicles tied to the capacity size of the location.
  • Not allow sales or exchanges of any items or food. 
 
PREVIOUS NOTICE
Joint Statement of Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer
and Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo on
In-Person Graduation Ceremonies 
 
The health and safety of our County’s students, staff and families are top priorities for all of us.
 
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Officer’s Safer at Home Order prohibits all public and private gatherings. The Order does not allow any exemptions for graduation gatherings of any type in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. This means all in-person graduation ceremonies, including use of cars for drive-in graduations (even if one student at a time), are considered public gatherings and are therefore prohibited. Virtual ceremonies are permitted and encouraged as a means of commemorating this important life event for young people and their families.
 
We fully appreciate how disappointing it is for all our graduates to be denied the recognition they deserve for their academic achievement. It is unfortunate that such an important rite of passage has to take place virtually during this pandemic, and we deeply regret the heartache this may cause our students and their families.
 
The Los Angeles County Office of Education does not have the authority to direct how a district or school will handle its graduation ceremonies. These are local decisions that will need to be made in compliance with the Safer at Home order.
 
We are confident the education community will find creative ways to virtually celebrate the Class of 2020 while protecting everyone’s health and safety.
 
###