Six feet? How about three feet?
Prince William County Public School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef is asking the governor to relax his rules on social distancing in order to allow more people to attend 15 outdoor high school graduation ceremonies next month.
Lateef penned:
Our largest schools will graduate upwards of 750 students. Twelve of our graduations will occur at Jiffy Lube Live—an outdoor amphitheater with 10,444 reserved seats. Half capacity is 5,222 seats. However, EO72’s six feet rule has the practical effect of reducing our capacity to approximately 3,000.
With 750 graduates, that leaves at best 2,250 tickets to distribute among graduates and staff. The real-world logistics of six feet guidance limits each family’s participation to approximately two tickets. Invariably, grandparents, siblings, friends–or even parents–will be kept from celebrating this rite of passage.
At the very least, a three feet standard would allow for the possibility of 4-5 tickets per family.
A corresponding letter from the County Board of Supervisors to Gov. Northam supports Lateef’s request. No word yet on whether or not the governor is going to ease his restrictions in time for the ceremonies that begin on June 7.
Last week, Northam said he could lift by June 15, but added a mask mandate could remain in place.
The schools not graduating at Jiffy Lube Live include Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and Independence Nontraditional School. Both schools are located at Independent Hill, and both will hold ceremonies on their respective campuses.
Governor’s School at Innovation Park will graduate students at Manassas Park High School.
Here’s a full list of graduation dates, times, and locations.
Recent Stories
A tragic fentanyl overdose led to murder charges for two parents in Prince William County. The weekend also saw armed robberies, commercial burglaries, and public intoxication incidents in Stafford and PWC.
STAFFORD, Va. – Severe thunderstorms that swept through Stafford County on Monday, May 5, have left thousands without electricity, with the hardest-hit areas now including Austin Ridge and Aquia Harbour.
MANASSAS, Va. – Republicans from across Prince William County gathered at Fox Chase Manor for their annual black-tie Lincoln Reagan Dinner, drawing a record crowd and laying out their strategy ahead of the 2025 election cycle.
MANASSAS, Va. – A bank tenant inside a newly completed data center in Manassas has triggered a sweeping local tax exemption, upending financial expectations and leaving city officials blindsided.
Empower Your Future: Leadership, Mentorship, Education, and Networking — Calling middle and high school students for FREE Educational Summer Programming!
LLT STEMpower Camp at Marymount University
Middle School Students | Two Sessions:
July 7–11, 2025
Inspired by local physicians who were among the nation’s first to adopt the concierge medicine model, Northern Virginia is now a hub for its surging popularity. These leading physicians are redefining the patient experience with same-day appointments, direct availability, unhurried visits, and deeply personalized care:
After almost 40 years in practice, Manassas-based Internist John Cary, MD’s change to concierge medicine enabled focused attention for each individual, and the launch of his innovative diet program for those with type 2 diabetes. “The goal is to promote enough weight loss to reach an acceptable A1C of 6% with no medication,” he explains. “Achieving that can take several months of very close follow up. As I tell my patients, we are in this together.”
Jay Tyroler, MD considers his patients quite literally as family. “I believe there’s nothing more honorable than helping patients when they’re sick, or scared, or feeling vulnerable, and I care for them exactly as I would my loved ones.” Whether for a specialist referral, urgent health issue or ongoing follow up, “My patients know I’m always just a phone call away.”
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
