Concern has been raised by the parents of unvaccinated students over the location of Neshaminy High School’s senior prom.
In recent weeks, alarm among some parents and students has rung out over Philadelphia’s COVID-19 mitigation measures and the impact they could have on the planned May 2022 prom set to take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Center City.
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Philadelphia’s current COVID-19 rules require people to be masked in certain situations. One of them is in places where food or drink is sold or served, including large event venues.
While the majority of Pennsylvanians have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the number for people ages 15 to 19 is lower. Statewide, about 53.5 percent of all 15 to 19 year olds have received at least one dose, with most being fully vaccinated, according to state data.
The issue was brought up at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting.
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Matt Taylor, of Middletown Township, implored the school board to consider changing the venue.
“I don’t think it’s the right thing to do to put about half the kids in the situation where they either get a vaccine they don’t want to get or miss out on their prom. They’ve lost out on enough of their high school experience,” he said.
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Alex York, of Middletown Township, is the parent of a high school senior who is not vaccinated.
“Our concern is having the venue where there is a mandate for the vaccinations,” she said.
Randy Miles, of Middletown Township, told the school board the prom issue has the potential to divide the Neshaminy community. He mentioned some members of the high school select choir were unable to perform recently a holiday show in Philadelphia because they were not vaccinated.
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Miles asked the board to consider changing the venue and urged people to be united.
Superintendent Dr. Rob McGee told the public no one wants students to be excluded from prom.
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“I understand why parents are concerned,” he said
“The prom is a student-driven event,” McGee stated, noting the students’ prom committee picked the city venue a “long time ago.”
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With Neshaminy High School being among the largest in the state, prom needs to be held at a large venue with plenty of room for catering, restrooms, eating, and dancing. City venues often fit the criteria, McGee said.
The Sheraton has been working with the prom planners on making the event happen at the venue, McGee said.
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Neshaminy High School Principal Ryan Staub is involved in working with prom planners and the venue.
McGee said a change in venue would likely mean a change in date.
School board member Alicia Lafferty said she supports McGee’s position.
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“We’re all in agreement we don’t want to exclude any students,” she said.
“We will do our best to make sure every child has that experience that we all looked forward to in school,” board member Stephen Pirritano said.
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