Updated information about HC graduation ceremonies – practice, requirements, live streaming
Updated July 2, 2020
8th Graders and Seniors may pick up their caps, gowns and 4 graduation admission tickets at the Unit Office on Tuesday, July 7 and/or Wednesday, July 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Unit Office is located at the rear of the school across from the tennis court cage. Graduates may only have 4 guests. Everyone must wear masks.
A graduation practice will be held at the school for 8th graders on Wednesday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m.
A graduation practice will be held at the school for seniors on Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00 p.m.
Per Illinois Department of Public Health school opening guidelines, all in attendance must wear a mask to the practice and the graduation. If an individual does not have a mask, he or she will be provided one. Social distancing will be expected.
Both graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed on the Hardin County Independent facebook page. “Like” the page to see posts.
The school is also working out details to have a photographer present to take pictures of the graduates as they receive their diplomas.
Editor’s note: The Hardin County Independent Senior graduation issue will be published and inserted into the regular issue on July 16, 2020. See a reprinted list of graduates in this week’s paper.
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June 30, 2020
The Hardin County School Board and administration have approved graduation ceremonies for Hardin Hardin County Jr. High and High School students. The Jr. High ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. The High School ceremony will take place on Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Graduates will only be able to invite a limited amount of guests.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, graduates and visitors will be expected to follow strict guidelines during the ceremonies set by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Each graduate may have four guests in attendance. Guests will be given a ticket by the graduate and will be required to present the ticket to staff for admittance to the ceremony. All in attendance will undergo temperature checks at the door. Everyone will be expected to wear masks, practice social distancing, and avoid congregating. Family members may sit together, but some bleacher seats will be taped off to support social distancing.
The School Board and administration will be set up on the stage while graduates will sit in chairs on the gym floor. Graduates will be presented their diplomas near the stage area. Graduates may take off their masks as they approach that area so family may take pictures. Graduates will be expected to put their masks back on as they return to their seats.
To further encourage social distancing, using both sides of the bleachers, administrators will imagine the gym into quadrants (four parts) where about 50 people can be seated in each quadrant.
Graduates may pick up their caps, gowns, and tickets at the unit office on Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8 from Superintendent Edmondson between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The unit office is located at the rear of the school by the tennis courts. Mr. Edmondson will go over the guidelines with students and parents when those items are picked up.
Staff will be meeting again Thursday morning to further organize the event. Watch the Hardin County Independent facebook page for updates.
Editior’s note: We printed the Graduate lists in the July 2, 2020 Hardin County Independent. They were also printed on the front page of the April 30 issue (available at the office).
The Special Edition Graduation issue will be printed the week following graduation, so pictures taken at graduation can be used. It will be inserted in the July 16, 2020 issue. You don’t want to miss it!
Now is a great time to subscribe to the Independent. 50 issues per year, mailed to Hardin County home is $33 per year. Those living outside of Hardin County pay $35 per year. We also have an e-Edition which is $28 per year. Call us at 618-287-2361 or visit www.hardincoindependent.com to order online.
