What about graduation ceremonies? Parents say ASDOE says no

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The COVID-19 Task Force is finalizing plans for this year’s graduates especially high school seniors, as parents are eager to find out whether or not the local Education Department (ASDOE) will allow some form of public graduation ceremony this year, amid COVID-19 restrictions due to the community spread of the deadly virus.

Since public schools have resumed with staggered in-person classroom instruction, parents have raised the question as to whether the task force or ASDOE will allow some form of public graduation ceremonies for 8th graders leaving elementary school for high school and 12th graders heading to higher education, the military and jobs.

Three different set of parents have informed Samoa News that they were told by ASG officials that there will be no public graduation ceremonies this year, including 12th graders and there has been no official reply from the Emergency Operations Center to their questions.

And they have also been told by school officials that the ASDOE has made the decision that there are no public graduations scheduled this June.

“Parents have fundraised with PTAs for this important event in our children's’ lives and now been told there’s no graduation ceremony is taking away this important event,” said one parent.

Added another parent, “at least give students the chance to celebrate this achievement in their lives graduating from high school, even if its outdoor drive-thru ceremony. Students been through a lot with the COVID restrictions — give them something to celebrate.”

During Monday’s task force virtual news conference, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale was informed by the news media about the graduation issue raised by parents and queried if there is any decision on out-door ceremonies even if its a drive-through one.

“The expectation of the Task Force is to allow graduations to happen. We need to finalize the terms, to make sure we’re still protected,” was Talauega’s response. “So, give us some time to finalize those, but we would like to see our students who are graduating to be able to celebrate that accomplishment, because graduating in this time is very difficult with the COVID lockdown.”

“We want to make sure that we honor the accomplishments of our students who are graduating, especially our 12th grade students,” said Talauega who is also the task force chairman.

No timeframe was given as to when a decision will be finalized but the current school year — according to ASDOE’s previously released information — ends on June 10.

Parents whose children attend public high school and spoke with Samoa News are all hoping for an early decision by the task force. “Even drive-thru graduation with students in vehicles accepting their diplomas is better than nothing,” said one mother, whose son is a senior at Tafuna High School.

“All public high schools are in locations where there’s enough room for public outdoor ceremonies and to comply with the current restriction of wearing masks and social distancing,” she pointed out. “For example, Tafuna High campus, Samoana High and Leone.”