Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Springdale high schools making graduation plans
In-person events considered if social distancing restrictions lifted by July
SPRINGDALE — The School District has plans for in-person graduation ceremonies in July if social distancing restrictions are lifted.
Those plans are in addition to virtual ceremonies scheduled for the end of this month. Shannon Tisher, assistant superintendent, announced the district’s latest plan at Tuesday’s School Board meeting.
“We are very much looking forward to celebrating our seniors, and we’re looking forward to potentially and hopefully being able to do that twice in very unique and exciting ways,” Tisher told the board.
Under the district’s plan, the Tyson School of Innovation’s graduation would be at 7:30 p.m. July 9 at Springdale High School’s Bulldog Stadium. Archer Learning Center would hold its ceremony at 7:30 p.m. July 10 at Bulldog Stadium.
Springdale High School would be next at 8:30 a.m. July 11 at Bulldog Stadium. Har-Ber High School’s graduation would be at 7:30 p.m. July 11 at its Wildcat Stadium.
Traditional high school graduation ceremonies are prohibited until at least July 1. The Arkansas Department of Education will consult with the Department of Health to review public-health data and reevaluate the situation as July approaches, Tisher said.
Districts were given the option to hold some kind of nontraditional graduation before July 1, if cleared by the education and health departments. Springdale plans to do a virtual ceremony for each high school. Each one would be broadcast online May 29-30.
If traditional ceremonies are allowed in July, there may be rules regarding such things as social distancing, temperature checks for guests, and personal protective equipment like masks and gloves, Tisher said.
Exactly what those rules might be is unclear. Schools anticipate receiving additional guidance Monday from the state on graduation ceremonies, Tisher said.
With the planned ceremonies being outdoors, schools must also consider the possibility of inclement weather.
The smaller schools — Tyson School of Innovation and Archer Learning Center — could move indoors to Springdale High School’s theater. That might mean excluding graduates’ guests if social distancing rules are enforced, Tisher said. Other options would be delaying or postponing ceremonies, she said.
Tisher also spoke of logistical challenges the district needs to work through. For example, all staff, except principals, are off contract in July, and it takes pretty much all the teachers in a school to make their graduation ceremony happen, she said.
She also hinted at concerns about maintaining social distancing standards.
“As you all know, as soon as students complete their recessional, they like to gather in large groups and take photos,” she said.
Michelle Cook, board president, said the board is thankful for all the time and energy being put into planning ways to celebrate the district’s 1,500 seniors.
Each of Northwest Arkansas’ largest four school districts now have plans to hold traditional graduation ceremonies in July.
Fayetteville High School plans to hold its ceremony July 2.
Bentonville’s two high schools will host ceremonies July 16 and 17. Rogers’ three high schools plan to do their graduations on July 9, 10 and 14.