HOPE — While virtual commencement plans have been established for the Class of 2020 from Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School, few details are set in stone — for now.
One reason why plans remain tentative is because Hauser will follow upcoming and unknown directives from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Education, said Hauser principal Dr. David Wintin.
While some had hoped the COVID-19 crisis would subside by the end of this month, Indiana school superintendent Jennifer McCormick has ordered buildings and school facilities to remain closed until June 30.
That has left Hauser with no choice except a virtual commencement for its 54 graduates, Wintin said.
There’s another potential snag adding to the uncertainty. While the schedule is based on graduation materials arriving on time, that may not happen because shipping companies are understaffed and overworked at this time, the Hauser principal said.
But if all goes as planned, the key date for Hauser seniors will be Monday, May 11. Emails have already been sent out to families with the time each senior should arrive on campus that day, Wintin said.
After graduates enter the south gym lobby. they must first turn in iPads, chargers and school books they had at home — unless those items are still needed to complete an advanced placement course, the principal said.
Seniors will also be asked to ensure that all book rental fees, library fees, lunch balances, and other outstanding charges are paid in full, according to written directives.
Option One
Two options will be made available to each graduate. Those who choose Option One will be allowed to pick up their caps and gowns on May 11. Staff will present the robes and provide all earned cords, collars, medals, and other items. While seniors can pick up available academic awards, some of the honors will have to be mailed later to the graduate, the directives state.
Graduates can have their picture taken by a photographer in front of the Hauser backdrop before going inside the gymnasium where the stage, east bleachers and public address system will be set up.
As the student walks past the bleachers, the traditional “Pomp & Circumstance” will be played. When the graduate reaches the stage, video will be taken as he or she picks up a diploma cover while the student’s name is announced over the PA system. The final shot will be the graduate throwing their cap.
Graduates may be asked to help disinfect items before they exit the gym to clean out their lockers, Wintin said. After the graduate returns all textbooks, graphing calculators, library books, and English class novels that they retrieved from their locker, each will be asked to leave the building through the auditorium doors, the directives state.
A limited number of seniors will be allowed inside the building every 20 minutes on May 11. Each will have 15 minutes to take care of all of their business, which will leave five minutes for cleaning and disinfecting before the next group is allowed in.
From the videos shot on May 11, a video presentation will be produced that includes speeches from the class valedictorian and salutatorian. These top academic performers will not be determined until May 8, Wintin said.
Efforts will be made to ensure the edited virtual commencement will be ready for viewing via Hauser’s YouTube channel on the originally scheduled graduation date of Friday, May 29, the directives state.
Although the school is planning a vehicle parade for Saturday, May 30, Wintin said there are still a lot of details to work out before the parade is approved. But he assures graduates that once the COVID-19 threat has passed, there will be a fun-filled get-together held for the seniors.
Option Two
In every high school, there are graduates who don’t attend commencement exercises. For those at Hauser who feel this way, there is a second option that still requires that person to return their iPad, charger and school books.
They can have a cap and gown delivered to their home, take a picture of themselves, and email the photo to the school at dwintin@flatrock.k12.in.us., so it can be used in the video presentation.
If the student doesn’t want to take that avenue, their yearbook photo will be used.
Although school officials say they will clean out the lockers of those who don’t come to Hauser on May 11, their items will not be immediately available for delivery, the directives state.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”A message to Hauser students from Principal David Wintin” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
"We are well aware that the Hauser Class of 2020 deserves more than we are able to provide at this time.
The spring athletes deserved a chance to perform. The band and 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 do 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."
Dr. David Wintin, principal
Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School
[sc:pullout-text-end]
