Iola High School has set its graduation date for July 11 at 10 a.m.
The district’s plan includes multiple options, ranked in terms of preference.
The plans were the result of collaboration between board members, administrators, students and parents.
In reference to this collaboration, outgoing principal Scott Crenshaw remarked “I have been a strong advocate for students having a voice,” “[being] a force for change … and by God, they did something.”
“We could have probably communicated a little better in the earlier stages, … but I’m always proud of kids that stand up and take leadership roles.”
“I thought we had some great dialogue. … The four years worked.”
Details include:
Each graduating senior will receive five tickets that are labeled “stadium/gymnasium” and five tickets that are labeled “gymnasium.” (Children seated on laps don’t count toward these totals.)
Option A: Graduation will be held at the football stadium, unless bad weather demands shifting to Option B.
Each of the 82 seniors will be able to use five seating tickets, where families will sit in “pods” to encourage social distancing.
The consensus amongst stakeholders is that this is the most desirable option, closest to a normal “full-blown graduation.”
Option B: Graduation will be held at the IHS gymnasium if bad weather demands it, or if restrictions on gatherings limit seating numbers to 90 attendees.
In this scenario, graduation will be a “walkthrough” ceremony, where each student and 10 family members can pass through the building.
The analogy used to imagine this scenario is akin to the “Grand March” at prom.
Afterward, graduates-only will reconvene in the gym after the graduation ceremony with 6 feet social distancing to acknowledge valedictorians and salutatorians, listen to speeches and collectively throw their caps.
Option C is similar to Option B, though will take into account more extensive restrictions on seating, say, where limits are set at 30 attendees.
