Getting graduation ready
There will be a graduation ceremony for 2020 Red Oak High School graduates.
With approval from Montgomery County Emergency Management and Montgomery County Public Health, the ceremony will take place outside on May 17, at 2 p.m.
During a special board of education meeting April 27, plans were finalized for a ceremony that would abide by state and federal mandates against the spread of COVID-19, but still allow seniors and their families the opportunity to celebrate. Having the event outside, explained Red Oak Principal Nate Perrien, decreases a common entrance and congregating before the ceremony. He added the limit of 10 persons at social gatherings was geared toward events held indoors.
“If nothing changes in the current rules, our ceremony would have a stage on the circle drive area, and students would be able to park in a numbered spot on the senior lot in a specific order, so they could exit their vehicle one at a time, take one of the chairs, that would be spaced 10 feet apart on the circle drive,” advised Perrien.
The plan could possibly change, if requirements are lightened in the coming weeks, he added.
Admission for the event will be by pass only. Each graduate will be issued two passes, one for themselves to park in north lot, and another for family to park for viewing in south lot. One additional pass will be issued by request, per student, for admittance to the senior parking lot, in the southeast section. All entrances to the HS will be gated off and require a parking pass for admission.
Seniors will be lined up 15 feet apart from one another and will be seated nine feet from one another. Spectators will not be allowed to exit their vehicle. Family can listen to the ceremony on KCSI radio 95.3 as well as view a special KCSI Facebook live broadcast featuring text layover features and senior pictures imbedded throughout.
Graduation rehearsal is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on May 16, in the north parking lot by the field house. Staff will be there and direct students where to park. Graduates must stay in their vehicle and await instruction. If students cannot make it there in person, due to a graduation party or employment, they should contact the school any weekday between the hours of 1 to 3:30 p.m., before May 14, so staff can make arrangements to get the student the necessary information and parking passes associated with this your graduation ceremony.
A senior salute cruise night is being planned following the graduation rehearsal from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 16.
Following practice, seniors who wish to participate can go to the Fountain Square Park area in downtown Red Oak. They are urged to wear their cap and gown. With the help of school staff, students will be directed to park in every other parking stall around the inside and outside stalls around the square. If necessary, parking along Coolbaugh and Reed streets will be used. Students should be parked in place by 6:40 p.m. Once cruise night begins, seniors will stand in front of their vehicle as the community cruises and celebrates you, and will not be allowed to visit with other seniors or passerby. Once the community parade has looped through once, students are encouraged to join cruise night as well.
“It’s a pretty free-flowing idea. We will do what MCPH and emergency management is comfortable with us doing, and we won’t do anything that they don’t sign off on. Spectators can follow along in their vehicles, as the radio station will have a live microphone in place for the ceremony itself. It would be fairly similar to a normal graduation, with fewer people on the stage itself,” said Perrien.
In case of inclement weather, Perrien said they might go with a drive-through ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Perrien said it has been suggested having the students
Also approved was the finalized requirements for graduation. Due to COVID-19, Perrien recommended 52 credits required to graduate, with no other requirements necessary. Board members