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From the Desk of Dr. Halley: Graduation 2020

By Halley, Heath on May 18, 2020

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Good morning, we begin today as another cool May morning, forecasts looking better though.  Warmer weather on its way! I will be writing a series of short informational pieces that I hope answer as many questions regarding the end of this school year and any information I have for the beginning of the next.

In this piece, I am focused on the 2020 graduation ceremony. With so many unknowns still present, the scheduled date is Saturday, June 20th, 2020. High School Principal, Mrs. Klinginsmith, has devised two scenarios so that graduation can occur that day.

If social distancing protocols are not lifted by the Governor, we will host two sessions of graduation. They will occur at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm in the Putnam County R-I high school gymnasium. We have room for all sixty of our seniors but would have to rotate families. So, families with last names beginning with A-H would be in attendance at the 10:00 am session, and families with the last name beginning with letters I-Z would be in attendance during the 2:00 pm session.  We expect all students to be in attendance during both sessions as they will be announced and cross the stage in each session. 

During the intermission, the gymnasium seats will be sanitized and cleaned by the maintenance staff.

With the current social distancing guidelines in place, we face a situation where we will have to limit the number of family members that will be allowed to attend. To adhere to the guidelines, only 6 members of each graduate’s family may attend the ceremony. Doors will open one hour prior to each graduation ceremony. Families should arrive together and will all be admitted to the gym as a family group. Unfortunately, seats cannot be traded or shared. Seating areas will be marked and numbered, and families will be randomly assigned to their seats. I know this is an unsavory situation, but again, it is to follow social distancing guidelines set forth by the Governor.

I ask that if anyone who might be in attendance has special needs or requests, please visit with Mrs. Klinginsmith by June 12th.

It is our hope that Governor Parson releases less restrictive guidelines for social distancing in the next couple of weeks. If that occurs, we will host graduation on Saturday, June 20th at 2:00 pm.  In this instance, no restrictions would be placed on who could attend nor where they might sit.

If you have any questions regarding graduation, please contact Mrs. Klinginsmith (306), tklinginsmith@putnamcountyr1.net, or high school counselor Ms. Miller (308), cmiller@putnamcountyr1.net also either may be reached at school extensions.