Staff writer
ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com
Graduation for seniors in Peters Township School District will go on as planned Friday night after all but four students appeared for a make-up practice session Wednesday morning.
Between 70 and 80 of the 360 seniors failed to arrive on time for the 8 a.m. practice Tuesday. District policy stipulates students must attend all three sessions in order to be permitted to participate in graduation.
Doors were closed, and administrators refused to interrupt the practice.
Shelly Belcher, district communications coordinator, said Dr. Thomas Hajzus, high school principal, publicly apologized to parents and students during an awards ceremony Tuesday evening. Hajzus spoke of decision making, Belcher said.
"He apologized for taking the focus off graduation and the important event that it is in their lives," she said Wednesday.
Participation in graduation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis for the students who did not attend the make-up session.
"There are some who don't want to walk at graduation, and there are some with extenuating circumstances who will be permitted to walk on Friday," Belcher said
Students who were not permitted to enter the practice late complained the gymnasium doors were "slammed" in their faces and that they were forced to stand outside amid heckling.
"We looked at the security video to the gymnasium and at 8 a.m., there was no one in the hallway," Belcher said. "According to that video, and it is time-stamped at 8 a.m., nobody was there."
Graduation is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the stadium, weather permitting.