Johnston County Public Schools plans for graduation, prom during pandemic

Schools will decide between having an outdoor, drive-thru graduation or an indoor graduation where each student has a scheduled window of time to come to campus.

"It is more heartache for the parents because they want to see their kids graduate and walk across the stage in front of their peers," said parent Victor Varela.

Prom will also be altered, with a limit of 100 students at the dance this year. It must be held outdoors, only seniors and one guest will be allowed and social distancing with a mask must be followed.

The event also must be over by 10 p.m.

"I don't think that it is a bad idea," said parent Tiffany Varela. "It is going to keep the amount of people down, which will help with social distancing and methods they are doing."

"If they can go to school with a mask, why not? They've been robbed of enough already," said Gloria Lundy Westover.

Melissa Buckley Mogley said, "If you don't feel comfortable, don't send your kids, [but] don't ruin it for the rest of the kids."

Brook Shields said she doesn't think it's worth the risk.

"We have lost loved ones due to COVID," she wrote on WRAL News' Facebook page.

However, all parents seemed to hope that this would be the last year for this kind of modified celebration.

"We have to push through and hope things come back to somewhat normal," said Tiffany Varela.

Cooper’s modified stay-at-home order expires at the end of this month. School districts in Durham and Wake counties have said they’re not ready to release plans for graduation and prom.