Among those hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic is this year’s class of high school graduates, who have been denied the opportunity to experience so many one-time-only life events.
The leadership of Henry County Schools has taken steps to mitigate the situation. A revised schedule of activities for the Class of 2020 was announced last week in a letter from Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis.
It starts this month with a virtual recognition event set for May 22. Graduates from each of the county’s 11 high schools will be recognized and there will also be a district-wide salute to the class. More details will be announced soon.
Senior week activities and proms will take place the week of June 15-19. These activities could include senior picnics, yearbook signings, and awards. All of them, including the proms, will be on the respective school campuses.
Prom fees previously collected will be refunded and a new fee will be assessed due to the venue adjustments. All activities, including prom, remain dependent upon the guidance from public health officials as the month of June approaches. There will not be a second make-up date schedule for these events.
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for the final week of June, with a possible delay until late July if public health officials advise that June is not feasible.
The first two schools to award diplomas to graduates at their respective football stadiums June 22 are Stockbridge at 8 p.m. and Luella at 8:30. McDonough and Locust Grove will host graduation ceremonies June 23, with Eagle’s Landing and Hampton the next night. Dutchtown and Union Grove are set for June 25, with Ola and Woodland graduates marching June 26. All of those ceremonies are schedules for 8 p.m. EXCEL Academy’s graduation is July 26 at 1 p.m. in the Henry County Performing Arts Center.
Any school’s ceremony which is rained out will be rescheduled for 9 a.m. the next day. Should public health officials advise that June is not feasible, gradations will be reset for July 20-24.
A number of regulations have been put in place in case social distancing is required. Right now, each graduate is allowed four tickets for guests to attend, although that number could change in either direction depending on the situation at that time. There will be a clear bag policy in effect with bags subject to search upon entry, and stadiums will be staffed with health professionals as well as hydration stations.
Between May 14 and May 22, each high school in Henry County will facilitate an appointment-based opportunity for seniors to go to the school campus to return school-issued items and materials, address outstanding fines and dues, pick up graduation regalia and yearbooks, and retrieve locker items. There will be further details provided by each school as the dates approach.
