This afternoon, parents of Knox County High School Seniors received the communication that is below about tentative plans for High School Graduation. Thank you Knox County Schools Public Affairs for sending this to me, when I requested it.
The reaction has been swift by parents. South Knox County Board Member Kristie Kristy was quick to ask Dr. Martha Buchanan of the Knox County Health Department if neighboring Maryville High School (very close to her South Doyle High School) can do a late May 2020 graduation with parents why can Knox County not do that. Schools Administrator Danny Trent attempted to answer it saying it will be warmer and less rainy in late July.
Powell and Halls area School Board Member Patti Bounds was specific about the proposal in saying the current plan, a student with the last name Z will have no one physically there to see them get their diploma.
I hope these School Boarders are ready, if they thought quarantine with Corona was bad, this one is about to get ugly.
Dear KCS families,
We know you have been waiting patiently to hear what the graduation plan will be for our Class of 2020 seniors.
Our staff has worked hard to develop something special to celebrate and honor our graduates during this difficult time. We are pleased to share some of those details with you today. Our plan is in line with the Knox County Health Department and the State Department of Education guidance for graduation.
Graduation ceremonies will take place between July 27 and Aug. 8. These socially distanced events will be held on the football field at each school. Schools without a football field will host graduation at the World’s Fair Park amphitheater.
Graduation will be closed to families and the public; however, all ceremonies will be live-streamed and recorded for on-demand viewing later. Additionally, each family will receive a recording of their ceremony.
Students will be seated 6-8 feet apart and will walk to a stage where they will accept their diploma. In an effort to discourage communal celebration, students will then exit the stage and leave campus immediately.
During this unprecedented time when students have not had the opportunity to return to school, we believe this will help provide closure and allow seniors to celebrate together while ensuring their health and safety by adhering to CDC and Knox County Health Department guidelines.
We wish it was possible to have a traditional graduation for our seniors and their families, but school and district staff are working hard to make sure that this will still be a memorable occasion.
Please know this is not an ideal situation and these plans could change depending on the guidance of our local and national health officials. We are developing a contingency plan in the event we are not allowed to proceed as planned.
Your student’s school will be sharing more details with you soon.
Thank you again for your understanding and patience.
Sincerely,
Bob
