The Butler Area School District is trying to give the 439 members of its Class of 2020 the recognition they earned while maintaining COVID-19 gathering and social distancing recommendations.

The plan makes graduation a family event and offers graduates three dates — June 3, 4 and 5 — to schedule their moment on stage.

Everything begins with senior awards night May 27 when scholarships will be announced in a 7 p.m. broadcast on the district website. District officials are working with Armstrong Cable and Butler Radio to broadcast the scholarship awards.

Caps and gowns will be distributed at the high school May 28 and 29. Students with last names beginning with A to M will come May 28 and the rest will come May 29.

Honors graduates and honors graduates with distinction will receive their cords and medallions during the individualized diploma ceremonies for all students and their families in the high school auditorium June 3 to 5.

Graduates and their families can select the day that suits them best — from 3:30 to 7 p.m. June 3; from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 4; or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5. Students can make their selections on the district website beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“We're letting them sign up for what time works best for them and their families,” Superintendent Brian White said.

The district will broadcast a pre-recorded virtual commencement program at 7 p.m. June 5 on the district website with speeches, music and a slide show.

[naviga:h3]The plan[/naviga:h3]

Each graduate can bring six guests and will choose a family member to present their diploma to them on stage at the high school when their name is announced.

Tammy Einsporn-Elder, a 1988 Butler graduate, said having parents present diplomas will make graduation special.

“That would have been a very memorable occasion. The teachers teach us, but our parents get us to where we are,” she said.

She said she doesn't agree with negative comments she read on social media about the district's graduation plan.

“They're making the best out of a bad situation. There's so much negative. Nobody predicted this would happen. They're making a good thing out a bad situation,” Einsporn-Elder said.

Life lessons learned by this year's graduates having to deal with the virus will help them with their kids and grandchildren, she said.

One guest will be allowed to take pictures during the diploma ceremonies. The district is also taking photos of the graduates.

One family at a time will be called to the stage. There will be no audience.

Seniors will be considered graduates June 5.

[naviga:h3]Senior salutes[/naviga:h3]

The district will hold a traditional commencement program July 15 at the football stadium.

Students will be seated on the high school football field and will walk across the center of the field wearing caps and gowns when their names are called. It will be a seniors-only event with no audience if congregate group sizes remain limited due to the virus.

Seniors will be asked June 5 if they want to participate in the ceremony. July 16 is the rain date.

The prom will be held July 13 at Butler County Community College if large indoor congregate groups are permitted. If not, and large outdoor groups are permitted, the prom will be held in the high school parking lot that day. July 14 is the rain date.

Family members, friends and community members can join in singing a virtual graduation song written by senior choir students in the Butler Virtual Choir. A video on the district website explains how to participate.