Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Veterans Memorial Stadium is the proposed venue for public high school graduations on Tutuila next month, and it will comply with current COVID-19 protocol such as masking and social distancing according to the local Education Department’s (ASDOE) plan submitted to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

The ASDOE plan was presented at yesterday’s COVID-19 Task Force briefing as well as plans from two private schools. However, the ASDOE plan is still pending a final decision, while parents eagerly await news of whether there will be graduation ceremonies this year.

According to the plan for public high school graduations, Manu’a High School proposed to carry out its graduation as usual and set it for Friday, June 10, starting at 9a.m.

For high schools on Tutuila — all starting at 9a.m — the proposed venue is Veterans Memorial Stadium on different dates: Samoana High, Monday, June 13; Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School, Tuesday, June 14; Leone High, Wednesday, June 15; Tafuna High, Thursday, June 16; and Fagaitua High, Friday, June 17.

According to the plan, participation will be limited to graduates and their set number of guests, high school staff and faculty, dignitaries, and other ASDOE officials. Temperature readings will be done at the gate and other safety procedures will be in place.

Tents will be set up on the field for graduates, while dignitaries will be seated on a raised platform in front of the main grandstand, and parents and guests will be seated in the grandstands on both side and in tents on each end of the field.

Graduates’ seating will observe social distancing. Additionally, sanitizers will be made available and masks will be required. According to ASDOE, graduation ceremonies will be limited to one-hour or less.

Parents and legal guardians for public high school senior students had continued earlier this week to question whether there would be graduation ceremonies this year, as various COVID-19 restrictions remain in place and they have to make advance plans and preparations.

When asked by the media for an update on graduation ceremonies, during Monday’s task force virtual news conference, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale responded that, “I have a proposal from [AS]DOE and we have discussion pending with the governor to get his input on that.”

He assured parents that there is a plan for ASDOE graduations and “it will be distributed as soon as all the concerns are covered.” No time frame was given as to when the decision would be finalized as parents are eager to hear a positive decision.

Talauega, who is also the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) said at last week’s news conference that it’s the expectation of the task force to allow graduations to happen.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Two private schools have also submitted to EOC their graduation COVID-19 safety plans. The EOC report at yesterday’s briefing shows that Manumalo Academy’s high school graduation is set for June 3 starting at 8a.m at the Manumalo Academy Center. The school’s graduations for primary and junior levels will be drive-thru later this month.

For Pacific Horizons school — the senior class commencement is set for Saturday, May 21 starting at 6p.m, at the Tony Solaita Baseball field, while the Middle school graduation is May 27 at the TAOA Main Fale at Tafuna.

Information was not included in the EOC report as to whether or not the private schools’ submissions were approved or not and also there was no other information on other private schools.