Norwood High School’s Class of 2021 is wrapping up the year more traditionally than last year’s class which had most of its events canceled due to the COVID pandemic.
With the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations’ updated guidance for graduation ceremonies after May 29, this year’s Norwood High seniors are now able to have a traditional graduation ceremony.
After creating several alternative options, NHS will be moving forward with a traditional graduation ceremony, NHS Principal Dr. Hugh T. Galligan told Norwood Local Town Pages. This year’s ceremony will take place on June 6, at 1 p.m., on the Norwood High School field.
Seniors this year were also able to have a prom, thanks to a little ingenuity.
Norwood High hosted an alternative prom event for 145 students on May 7. The event was held all outdoors on campus using three distinct areas, according to Galligan. The front of the school served as a red carpet event with photo opportunities and interviews. Two food trucks and socially distanced seating for meals were set up in the back parking lot of the school. The athletic field had a DJ, a large dancing area, and dozens of lawn games for students to play.
“We used school guidance from DESE and the state event guidance to plan the safety protocols for the event,” Galligan said. “Thank you to all of the class officers, school and district leadership, the Norwood health department, and the many parent, guardian and community volunteers and donors who helped make this event a success. The students were so happy to be together as a class.”