To the Class of 2020 from Mrs. Grooms:
I wish you all the best!! I am sorry that your year has ended in the manner that it has, but you are a unique group. :)
I cannot wait to see what you do as you start out on the path you have chosen. No one can stop you from your dreams.....you can achieve whatever you push yourself to do. You make that decision, don't let anyone make it for you. You are strong. You are capable. You are each awesome individuals. Now go take on the world!! Make your dreams come true....it's within you.
I look forward to seeing each of you next week.
Best wishes!
Mrs. Grooms
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Appointment times have been emailed to Seniors for their Photo/Diploma Presentation (May 11th- May 15th). As well as an appointment time (May 7th & May 8th) to pick up awards and graduation regalia and to clean out lockers. These are all within COVID social distancing guidelines for gathering of groups. The itinerary for the presentation is as follows:
Alternate Graduation Plans - Video & Photo/Diploma Presentation
Pocahontas High School
Principal: Lesa Grooms - lesa.grooms@pocahontaspsd.com
Phone: 870-892-4573
Graduation 2020
The plans for the 2020 graduation events are as follows:
Video:
We are compiling a video that will include the graduating class of 2020. The video will be set up in a manner similar to the graduation ceremony.
Welcome by the Senior Class President
Salutatorians’ speeches
Valedictorians’ speeches
Each graduate presented (photo of student and full name called)
Presentation of the Sr. Class (Declaration that the class has graduated)
Seniors making presentations (class president, salutatorians, valedictorians) will be contacted by the class sponsors for details. Students will make their speeches at home and submit the video to the class sponsors who will upload them to the video presentation.
The video will be completed and then displayed on the district’s website on the originally scheduled graduation date of May 15, 2020.
Photo and Diploma Presentation:
There will be an opportunity for graduates to have a photo taken while being presented with their diploma.
All staff assisting with the event will be screened (temperature and questions).
This event will be scheduled outdoors, however, if we have to move indoors then masks and gloves must be worn by staff, graduates, family, etc.
Beginning on Monday, May 11 and continuing through Friday, May 15, graduating seniors will have a scheduled time to come to campus with family/guests to be presented with their diploma and have a photo taken.
Unfortunately, we will have to limit the number of people on campus at a time.
The number of family members present should be limited to maintain a total of 10 at all times. That would consist of a maximum of 6 family members/guests and graduate, assuming the number of staff is limited, such as the superintendent or counselor, principal, camera operator and photographer’s assistant.
We will begin the day on Monday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m. The first graduating senior and their family/guests will arrive at PHS in front of the school. Please enter the campus by the baseball field. The graduate and family should be in the vehicle(s) (no more than 6 people). You may not exit the vehicle until given the okay by a faculty member. All families and guests will be screened (temperature check and questions) upon arrival. As school personnel, graduates, and families arrive they will be questioned about having fever within the previous 48 hours, persistent or unusual cough, shortness of breath, direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or has out of state travel history.
Once you exit the vehicle you will move to the photo/diploma site in front of the main building. (In case of bad weather, we will move the location indoors.) The principal will present the diploma wearing gloves and a face mask if we are indoors. Presentation of the diploma must be done with 6 feet between the principal and the graduate. (We will mark the location on the floor/surface for each person present to ensure social distancing.) The Principal (Mrs. Grooms) will present the diploma to the student and a photo will be taken. There will be a professional photographer who will have forms available for ordering photos. After the graduate receives the diploma and photo, the family may have a photo taken with their own camera. School personnel will not be included in the family group photo. The graduate and family will return to their vehicle. The time allotted for the photo opportunity and diploma presentation is limited to 15 minutes. Please help us to stay on track so we will be able to keep within the schedule.
We will have a schedule of 15 minute intervals beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:45 p.m. daily on May 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15th.
School personnel who will be assisting with cars/traffic will be separated by several yards. School personnel working with traffic will wear masks as well.
The counselor will wear a mask and gloves if indoors. It will be recommended that the graduate wear a mask if indoors.
The principal has sent out a scheduled time for each graduating senior for this event. We will work through approximately 30-35 graduates/families per day (May 11 - 15th) at 15 minute intervals. With the time beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing through 4:45 p.m. each day.
Social Distancing will be in place at all times. A minimum of 6 feet apart at all times. Families may be within close proximity of their graduate. It will be recommended that graduates and families should wear masks if indoors. There should not be any congregating of people on campus.
Out-of-state family members and guests from areas with high rates of COVID-19 should be restricted, as these individuals are to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We know that this is not the traditional graduation ceremony. However, we would like to provide the opportunity for the Class of 2020 to have an in-person diploma presentation and photo opportunity. We do not rule out the possibility of a more traditional type of graduation ceremony after July 1 following state mandated guidelines. We cannot be assured that we will be given permission to hold a ceremony during the month of July.
Again, thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We wish the best to these amazing young people in the Class of 2020. We cannot wait to see where their paths take them.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 from PHS and the Pocahontas School District!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~