Clinton High School has a couple of options for honoring seniors in the era of the coronavirus pandemic. There hasn’t been school for several weeks and schools are seeking ways to recognize graduation.
Clinton High School Principal J-R Kuch says the firm plan they have is for a recognition on May 31st. Students will register for a time to come to the school-park in the west parking lot and then enter Yourd Gym thru entrance – hear their name called and walked across the stage and receive their diploma and pictures can be taken and then leave the gym thru other side of the building. Kuch says up to four family members can accompany the student into the gym.
Kuch says depending on the rules at the time there may be an outdoor ceremony in late July followed by a dinner and a prom type event. But he says that’s dependent on the rules at the time.
The CHS Principal says there will be special drive-thru Eagle Point Park Friday with banners of the seniors.
Kuch says the ideas came from clues from ideas of other districts and a lot of input.
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In Camanche – High School Principal Carrie Lane says students will be at the parking lot at the High School on the original graduation date of May 24th.
Lane says they hope to have an in-person ceremony June 28th if possible or July 26th in possible under the guidelines. If those don’t work, the Camanche High School Principal says they would hold an event similar to Clinton’s at the gym.
Lane said they may also try to hold some type of prom event.
She says students and parents have been patient and understanding in these unusual circumstances.
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At Prince of Peace School -Administrator Nancy Peart says there will be a day of reflection giving the students a chance to reflect on their time at the school and the year. Peart says there is a special recognition event planned for May 22nd. She says the seniors are paired with first grade students and those students will also have some type of chance to recognize the seniors. She says dependent on the rules there may be a Bachelorette Mass on July 1st and some type of ceremony on July 5th.
Peart says she knows the students are disappointed but it’s a matter of finding ways to stay safe and recognize the students.
Peart says everybody has been doing the best they can and be sensitive to the emotional and academic needs of the students.
Peart says she understands the younger students have concerns about next year. She says next year the plan to start in August.
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At Northeast there will be a drive thru type ceremony at the school with students and family in their cars. There will be speeches at the program and students will be recognized with a chance to walk across the out door stage while others remain in their vehicles.
KROS will be broadcasting the event including speeches and graduate presentations for others not able to attend.
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At Central DeWitt there will also be a similar drive thru ceremony on Sunday May 17th. There will be large video screens and low power radio transmitters to broadcast the ceremony and it will streamed live on YouTube
After the ceremony all vehicles will be escorted by the DeWitt, Grand Mound, Low Moor, and Welton Fire Departments through DeWitt where community members can share in the celebration from their front porches.
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Morrison is following a similar ceremony with students and families in their vehicle with the student able to walk across the stage to be recognized.
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Easton Valley plans to hold an outdoor event June 5th at the football field with families provided seating in specified areas to maintain proper distancing.
