Botetourt County Public Schools released an announcement last Friday concerning graduation for the Class of 2020.
“Botetourt County Public Schools is fully committed to honoring and celebrating the Class of 2020. Due to the current restrictions on large gatherings imposed in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Botetourt County Public Schools will celebrate the Class of 2020 in two ways,” the announcement said.
An online graduation will be held on the date and time already announced on the senior’s keepsake graduation announcement: Lord Botetourt High School, May 18 at 7 p.m., and James River High School, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. The online graduation will be accessible on the school and division websites and on social media.
After the restrictions on large gatherings are lifted, an in-person graduation ceremony will be planned for both high schools. The previously announced graduation ceremony dates of June 13 for James River High School and June 15 for Lord Botetourt High School have been postponed. The division said that it plans to schedule graduation ceremonies in the fall.
Community-sponsored baccalaureate services will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m. at Limestone Park for James River High School and at 3 p.m. at Bonsack Baptist Church for Lord Botetourt High School.
Seniors at both high schools will be able to pick up their diploma and awards on Wednesday, May 20, from 12-2 p.m. and Thursday, May 21, from 2-4 p.m. The division said that seniors should plan to return their Chromebooks and textbooks when the receive their diplomas. A drive-through system for distributing and collecting senior materials will take place in the front parking lot at each high school.
