TUSD has canceled plans for an in-person graduation event later this month due to the ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Unified School District’s administration chose to cancel because the Pima County Health Department could not support an in-person graduation at the end of June despite the precautions the district was planning, including requiring masks and limiting the number of guests each student would be permitted, Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said in a video message.
“Based off of the information that we’ve received and in the interest of public health and the health and safety for all of you — students, your family members and our guests, which will always be our number one priority — we will not be proceeding with a graduation ceremony,†Trujillo said.
The county health department is concerned about the possibility of a spike in coronavirus cases in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ around the time the ceremony would have been held, Trujillo said.
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Some parents are upset that the graduation has been canceled, saying that since the governor has lifted restrictions, it’s fine, Trujillo said.
“I respect their stance,†he said. “We have a responsibility here with 45,000 students and families in our hands to listen to science and listen to our public and state health officials, and that’s what we’re doing in this particular situation.â€
In place of more traditional commencement ceremonies, which were scheduled for June 25, 26 and 27, some TUSD high schools are planning drive-thru graduation ceremonies.
Individual schools also held various types of celebrations to honor graduating seniors. And KOLD ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ produced televised ceremonies to celebrate the class of 2020. Trujillo said he hopes these events will be some comfort to graduating seniors and their families.
“And that they will serve as a message of our fondness and our pride in you and everything that you’ve accomplished,†he said. “We certainly wish you all the best in your future endeavors and college and career and life.â€
Photos: Cienega High School Class of 2020 graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A jeep is decorated with a "20" sign while graduates wait patiently behind the drag strip before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Two graduates smile as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Family and friends make noise as graduates are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Family and friends line the drag strip while they make noise for Cienega's graduating class during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A group of graduating seniors celebrate as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A graduate smiles as she is driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Adrian Villa, left, and Kortney Cahill, graduating seniors, sit in the back of a decorated pick-up truck before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Two graduates smile and wave as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Graduating senior Hannah Edris's (not pictured) Husky Skyler soaks up some camera time before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A volunteer walks past a truck decorated with a mask before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Family and friends make noise as graduates are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Aryanna Frank, graduating senior, smiles as her name is called during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Samuel Stivers, left, graduating senior, waves at friends before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A group of graduating seniors spray water at friends before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Friends and family celebrate Cienega High School baseball graduating seniors during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

LeAnn West, graduating senior, cheers with another graduating senior in the next vehicle before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Graduating seniors and friends put on the finishing touches of a boat before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Beth Palmer, volunteer, asks a parent to sign a wavier before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Family member of a graduating senior, Bryan Foster, center, waits for Cienega's graduation car parade to begin at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Graduating seniors wait in parked and decorated vehicles before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Rilan Owald, right, graduating senior, helps family and friends decorate the back of their pick-up truck before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Dorian "Bird Man" Escalante, graduating senior, fixes his hat before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020. Escalante decorated his hat with birds due to his nickname "Bird Man" because of his love of birds, said Escalante.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A Cienega High School senior celebrates with friends in the back of a pickup truck during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A graduating senior and some family members record family and friends celebrations during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Family members and friends celebrate and cheer for graduating seniors as the seniors are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A Cienega High School graduating senior celebrates towards family and friends as she driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A group of family and friends cheer on Cienega High School graduating seniors during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Family and friends, wearing masks, cheer for graduating seniors during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A Cienega High School graduating senior is driven down the drag strip in front of cheering family and friends during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A Cienega High School graduating senior waves at family and friends as she driven down the drag strip in a limousine during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A group of graduating Cienega High School seniors celebrate as they are driven down the drag strip during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

Juanita Mari, far right, and Sharon Newman, Cienega High School staff members, fix a banner on top of a truck before Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Cienega HS graduation at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway

A graduating senior blows kisses to family and friends during Cienega's graduation car parade at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Dragway, 12000 S. Houghton Rd., on May 17, 2020.
Contact reporter Danyelle Khmara at dkhmara@tucson.com.