Plans shaping up for Hauser graduations

We plan to publish a video graduation via our YouTube channel on our originally scheduled graduation date of May 29.

This is very tentative and the timing is based entirely on graduation materials being delivered to us by our vendor.  I hope that we can begin scheduling pick up/return by May 11 but that is yet to be confirmed.  Most importantly we will follow any directives from the Governor’s Office and the IDOE.  Worst case scenario is that we follow option A for all seniors based on future directives.  

Also tentative at this time we are in the process of planning a Class of 2020 vehicle parade that follows the Heritage Days parade route in Hope for Saturday, May 30.  There are still a lot of details to work out about that though.

Seniors will need to return their iPads, chargers, & any school books they have at home and pick up their belongings from their lockers.  Cap & gown pick up can be arranged at the same time.  Seniors must make sure book rental fees, library fees, lunch balances, etc. are paid in full. 

A.         If students/families prefer we can deliver these items to their home.  They’ll indicate that on gogglesheet that will accompany the information message to them.  Just a reminder that the robes are only rented. If they choose this option, we will not deliver the robe.

1.    If they choose this option, they will still be included in the graduation video.  We will announce their name with a clip of their yearbook photo that we have on file.

2.    If they prefer they can send a copy of their senior picture to Dr. Wintin at [email protected]  for us to use.  I recommend the PhotoScan App for that.

3.    Seniors will need to give us their iPad, charger, & any school books they have at home before receiving their graduation items.

4.    We will clean out their locker but those items will not be immediately available for delivery.

If seniors choose to come to school for pick up/return

1.    Enter the south gym lobby

a.         The graduate will turn in their iPad. (Unless it is still needed for AP testing.) 

b.         Graduation materials will be available for pick up. (When these items are received from the vendor the boxes will be disinfected.  We will hang the robes and provide all earned cords, collars, medals, etc. to be available at pick up.)

c.         Pick up any earned academic awards that are available.  Others will be mailed at a later date.

d.         The Hauser backdrop will be available for photos. (We are working on having a professional photographer available. Uncertain at this time.)

2.  The stage, east bleachers, & PA will be set up in the gym.

a.         We will video the graduate walking past the bleachers as Pomp & Circumstance plays.

b.         When the graduate reaches the stage, we will video them as we announce their name over the PA.  They will be able to pick a Diploma cover. (They can keep the diploma cover, if we have them all delivered as I expect.  If not it will be mailed/delivered with diplomas when they are ready. The Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Class President will video their portions of the graduation program. If they choose to do that video from home and send it to us.) 

c.         The graduate will then be videoed throwing their cap.

d.         The robe, cords, collars, etc.  will be collected.

e.         We’ll ask that they assist in disinfecting the seats & diploma cover as necessary.  We will provide the necessary materials to do so.

3.  The graduate will then go to clean out their locker.

a.         Other members of the group may exit through the auditorium

b.         Textbooks, graphing calculators, library books, English class novels will be returned and checked in.

c.         Tables will be available for items that the students do not want to take with them. 

d.         Trash cans will be available.   

4.  Exit through the auditorium

a.          Disinfect the Auditorium 

5.  We will allow entry on 20 minute intervals.

a.          We will allow 15 minutes in each area.

b.          This should be plenty of time to complete each portion.

c.          This will need to be kept on a strict schedule to disinfect everything as we go.

What the rest of this calendar year will look like is still undetermined.  There are too many unresolved safety concerns to be sure at this time.  I did not want to set another date for graduation that would also have to be canceled and another date after that.  When we are assured it is safe, we will get back together.  But there is no reason not to recognize seniors on the day of the scheduled graduation.

We are well aware that the Hauser Class of 2020 deserves more than we are able to provide at this time.

These seniors are a special group.  The 2020 Jets do deserve more.  I truly agree with that sentiment. The spring athletes deserved a chance to perform. The band & choir deserved to have a May concert.  The FFA deserved to have its annual banquet.  The 8th graders deserved Spring on the Farm.  We missed out on the Academic Excellence Banquet and the Senior Banquet. We do the responsible thing and not have large gatherings.  Even as some businesses are allowed to reopen, there will still be limits on how many people can gather in a given area.

Colleges are hoping to reopen in the fall but they are already preparing for the possibility of having virtual classes and major sporting events without fans present.  We simply can’t sponsor a large group gathering until it is safe to do so. We’d like to do more and we will when we can.  I can’t tell you what that looks like right now.  There are just too many variables.

In the meantime, be well and stay safe.  I can’t begin to tell you how much I miss being around the Hauser students.  I look forward to the day that we can gather again.