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Dear Class of 2020,

We still plan to have an in-person graduation ceremony in June or July, if social distancing guidelines permit.  We’re hoping for the best, but planning for the worst.  No matter what happens, we’re working hard to make sure your graduation will be meaningful and memorable!  Southwestern High School and Pulaski County High School have been working together to ensure the best experience that we can give you. In order to provide safety to students and staff, we are holding an alternate form of the graduation ceremony. The ceremony will have the elements of a traditional graduation, just without the audience at the ceremony. We will be recording you at the school, with your diploma covers while  your credentials are being read out-loud, just like on the day of graduation. You will be asked to submit pictures through Google Classroom to be included in the final product.  We will combine all recordings and pictures into a video that will be shown as a special Premiere Showing at the 27 Twin Drive-In on May 29, 2020

 

HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED

• Graduation 2020 Video - May 18, 19, 20 & 22
  We plan to create a graduation video to honor you and share your achievements.  We’ll need your help in this, so see the instructions below for details.  

• Vehicle Parade of Seniors - May 29, 2020
  On the evening of the Graduation Premiere, meet at the high school at 8:15pm.  You’ll receive a Graduation 2020 Entry Pass (one vehicle & pass per graduate), then drive together, to the Drive-In for your Graduation 2020 premiere, led by a police escort.  You’ll be required to show the pass as you enter the Drive-In.  At no time will you be permitted to step out of your vehicle; social distancing is required.

• Drive-In Graduation 2020 Premiere - May 29, 2020
  We should be at the Drive-In by 9:00pm.  A Graduation 2020 Entry Pass is required for entry.  One Entry Pass will be granted to each senior.  You will not be permitted to exit your car.  

• Livestream - May 29, 2020
  The graduation premiere will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.  

 

MAKING THE GRADUATION 2020 VIDEO

There will be two parts to the video.

• First, we need two photos from each of you by May 22.  (e.g. Preferably a senior photo, and/or a photo of you with your family in your cap and gown.)  Both photos will be displayed in the Graduation 2020 video. 

  • Attire in the photos should be appropriate for a Graduation Ceremony.

  • Submit these via the “SWHS Counselor's Corner” Google Classroom.

  • Please ensure photos are of high enough quality to display in a high definition video.

• Second, we want to get a short video of you walking across the stage and moving your tassel to celebrate your graduation.   Here’s what we’ll do: 

  • Come to the high school on the date that corresponds to your last name.

  • ONLY 1 CAR  WITH GRADUATE, PARENT/GUARDIAN AND/OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY ALLOWED ON CAMPUS. 

    • May 18 -  A-F

      • Students with last names A through C  at  12:00pm - 3:00pm

      • Students with last names D through F  at   4:00pm - 7:00pm
        
         

    • May 19 - G-N

      • Students with last names G through J at 12:00pm - 3:00pm

      • Students with last names K through N at  4:00pm - 7:00pm

    • May 20 - O-Z

      • Students with last names O through S at 12:00pm - 3:00pm

      • Students with last names T through Z at  4:00pm - 7:00pm

• May 22 - Make Up Date

  • 12:00pm - 3:00pm

  • 4:00pm - 7:00pm (if needed)

    

• Checkpoint #1: Gate at WTLO Road

  • Stay in your car

  • Check-in with a school official

  • Only 1 car with Graduate,  parents/guardians and/or immediate family allowed on campus.

 

• Checkpoint #2: Bus Ramp

  • Stay in your car

  • Open your trunk.  A school official will place your cap, gown, yard sign, diploma cover, etc. in your trunk.

  • Drive around to the back of the building.
     

• Checkpoint #3: Rear Gym Entrance

  • Wait for direction from school official

  • Park and exit your car

  • Abide by social distancing guidelines

  • Collect your cap, gown, cords, etc. from the trunk and put them on.

  • Enter the gym through the assigned door
     

• Checkpoint #4: Video Recording Station

  • Walk to the designated waiting area

  • When directed, enter the video recording area

  • We’ll record a short video of you in your cap and gown as you walk across the stage and move your tassel to signify graduation
     

• Exit Campus

  • You may keep your cap and gown.

  • Exit the gym and return to your car

  • Exit school campus through the gate on Patterson Branch Road.

 

We will be hosting a Google Meet on Monday, April 27th at 1:00 pm and 4:00pm to answer questions related to the Graduation Celebration Plan. We will send a link to join the Google Meeting through Remind 101 and it will also be posted in the Google Classroom.