Franklin Connection - Serving Franklin County, WA

PASCO — The School District is planning “alternative graduations” for city schools due to the continued coronavirus-related shutdown of Franklin County.

Pasco and Chiawana high schools’ seniors will be able to walk across a stage at Edgar Brown Stadium and take photos will family members from July 28-30, officials said.

Students will be assigned graduation times over multiple days; cap and gown required.

Here is the tentative graduation schedule:

• July 28 — Chiawana seniors with last names beginning from A-D from 3:30-4:30 p.m., E-L from 4:30-5:30 p.m., M-R from 5:30-6:30 p.m and S-Z from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• July 29 — Chiawana seniors continue with last names beginning from A-D from 8-9 a.m., E-L from 9-10 a.m., M-R from 10-11 a.m. and S-Z from 11 a.m. to noon. Pasco seniors with last names beginning from A-D from 3:30-4:30 p.m., E-L from 4:30-5:30 p.m., M-R from 5:30-6:30 p.m and S-Z from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

• July 30 — Pasco seniors continue with last names beginning from A-D from 8-9 a.m., E-L from 9-10 a.m., M-R from 10-11 a.m. and S-Z from 11 a.m. to noon.

In addition to the traditional high schoools, New Horizons High School will host a drive-through ceremony July 30-31.

Casual attire is permitted, but cap and gown are suggested. Masks will be required.

Here is the tentative New Horizons graduation schedule:

• July 30 — Seniors with last names beginning with A-C from 3-4 p.m., D-H from 4-5 p.m., I-R from 5-6 p.m. and S-Z from 6-7 p.m.

• July 31 — Seniors with last names beginning with A-C from 4-5 p.m. from 9-10 a.m., D-H from 10-11 a.m., I-R from 11 a.m. to noon and S-Z from noon to 1 p.m.

The alternative graduations will be live-streamed on district social media and rebroadcast at a later date.