Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk Public Schools move graduations indoors

FILE – In this June 27, 2020, file photo, Saltillo High School seniors make their way to the football field as the sun begins to set for their graduation ceremony in Saltillo, Miss. The number of high school seniors applying for U.S. federal college aid plunged in the weeks following the sudden closure of school buildings this spring — a time when students were cut off from school counselors, and families hit with financial setbacks were reconsidering plans for higher education. (Thomas Wells/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP, File)

by: Nathan Crawford

Posted: May 21, 2021 / 04:24 PM MDT

Updated: Jun 10, 2021 / 05:15 PM MDT

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — School officials from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk Public Schools announced they are moving their graduations inside, to Chartway Arena.

This decision comes after Gov. Northam announced changes to COVID-19 guidance, including gathering restrictions, starting on May 28. This move returns the districts back to pre-COVID norms.

Previously, Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth schools announced that the graduations would be moved outdoors to S.B. Ballard Stadium at Old Dominion University. Suffolk schools had moved graduations to their high school football stadiums.

All graduation dates and times are expected to stay the same, except for Norfolk and Suffolk schools.

Norfolk

Norfolk released this updated graduation ceremony schedule:

School	Date	Time
Norview High School	June 14, 2021	1:00 p.m.
Booker T. Washington High School	June 14, 2021	4:00 p.m.
Maury High School	June 15, 2021	1:00 p.m.
Lake Taylor High School	June 15, 2021	4:00 p.m.
Granby High School	June 15, 2021	7:00 p.m.

**The ceremonies will be livestreaming and can be accessed here.

If there are any unexpected changes to the COVID-19 guidance, graduations will be moved back to their outdoor locations.

Suffolk

Suffolk Public Schools released this updated graduation schedule:

Graduation ceremonies for Lakeland High School will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 12 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. This event is for ticketed guests only. Call the school at 925-5790 for more information. View live stream.
Graduation ceremonies for King’s Fork High School will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 12 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. This event is for ticketed guests only. Call the school at 923-5240 for more information. View live stream.
Graduation ceremonies for Nansemond River High School will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 12 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. This event is for ticketed guests only. Call the school at 923-4101 for more information. View live stream.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth graduation ceremonies to be held Saturday, June 19
The graduation ceremonies for the Portsmouth Public Schools Class of 2021 will be held Saturday, June 19, at the Chartway Arena at Old Dominion University. The ceremonies will be held as follows: 10 a.m. – Churchland High School; 1:30 p.m. – I.C. Norcom High School; and 6 p.m. – Woodrow Wilson High School. For more information, visit ppsk12.us/graduation.