Now that CMS has decided its graduation plan, what comes next?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After the graduation announcement at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools board meeting, officials said they would begin talking with principals about the plans, so they could speak with their staff and students to plan a memorable and personal celebration.

Senior Kendall Sanders, like so many, is working through the tough reality of graduation this year.

“I’m not going to lie, I was a little disappointed being senior class president because we put so much work into, towards the end of the year because that’s when you have more time to really be celebrated,” Sanders told Channel 9. “But I do totally understand.”

She says she’s looking forward to hearing what comes next.

“As far as the drive-thru part we’re not sure, I do hope they leave it up to the schools or students, they could always give it to our student government, so it can be a little bit more personalized and a little bit more special,” Sanders said.

She told Channel 9′s education reporter Elsa Gillis that she’d like to see some personal touches in the pre-recorded virtual ceremony as well, like perhaps some music, being that her class, is graduating from Northwest School of the Arts.

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“Maybe having a little time like at the end of the pre-recorded message to have something personal from that school, I think would be really cool,” she said.

CMS Board of Education student advisor Gabe Schuhl spoke with Channel 9 after the emotional board meeting Tuesday night.

“I’m not a senior so I don’t have the experience and I realize that it’s hard for me to connect with something that I’m not experiencing right now,” he said. “But I think we need to remember that our safety and safety of everyone around us, because of the pandemic, comes first."

He said he definitely thinks there’s still room for suggestions on how graduation will play out.

“Especially since from here on out a lot of the decisions are going to be with the schools specifically so parents and students who are involved in their specific schools can have a much easier access point to having a voice in what these celebrations look like,” Schuhl said.

Graduations start next week.

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