March 19, 2024 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

SJO makes graduation plans for June

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is making plans for graduation to honor the Class of 2020.


In a letter sent to parents Friday morning, the district outlined plans for a modified ceremony in June.

The initial graduation ceremony was set for May 17 inside SJO’s gymnasium before the coronavirus pandemic hit.


This week, the district received approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Champaign County Health Department for a plan that will include graduates being able to walk across the stage in a cap and gown, with four family members present and receive a diploma.


The event will take place with one graduate at a time and will be held inside the high school. The presentation of diplomas will be videotaped and put together to form a more traditional ceremony.


The video will then be released online and DVD copies will be provided to each graduate.


“In the end, by following very strict guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all, we will be able to provide you with the closest thing to a full graduation as we can,” the letter states.


The plan includes limiting access to parts of the building not used for the graduation ceremony, cleaning protocols that will be followed after each student and family leave the gym, and following the Centers for Disease Control’s social distancing guidelines.


Next week, the district will send seniors an email asking them to sign up for a time on June 3, 4 or 5.


The district will reach out to graduates that will leave for military service before those dates to ensure they can take part in graduation before they leave.


After students have selected a time, the district will send more instructions via email that will include guidelines for the day of graduation. The district is asking parents to remind their students to check their school email regularly for further info regarding graduation.


The district will be scheduling a drive-through pick-up of caps and gowns on May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Graduates or family members should pull up to the commons’ doors between those hours and school personnel will bring the cap and gown out to the car. The district is asking students and family members to stay in their cars during pickup.


At the school board meeting this week, Brooks and Page said representatives from the senior class had told the district they had no interest in a virtual ceremony. The district is pleased to be able to have this alternative, Brooks said.


“While we know this is less than our graduates deserve, we are excited to be able to offer a graduation that is as personal as possible for our graduates and families,” the letter states.

Banner
Related Posts

Kids Say…

July 1, 2019

July 1, 2019

Every week we ask five area kids a question about farming. This week it is second graders from PVO South....

‘They want to show their support of the law enforcement and their family’

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

Jim and Jen Wagner support their community, so when a friend came in to their store, Wagner signs and Graphics,...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

‘I love everything about our new space’

February 15, 2023

February 15, 2023

The drama program at St. Joseph-Ogden High School has a new home. “It means a lot to this program and...

‘We can’t wait to be back’

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

Amy Gibbons, the owner of Salon 192, is urging people not to do anything rash. That means resisting the urge...

Success of students, FFA is what Duitsman will remember about her time at SJO

July 30, 2019

July 30, 2019

This August will be a little different for Katie Duitsman. The former St. Joseph-Ogden High School agriculture teacher will not...

‘I have absolutely loved portraying her’

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Sophia McDade loves everything about the Addams Family production. The senior, who is acting in her second show with the...

Parkland announces candidates for commencement

May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019

Parkland College congratulates the candidates for its 52nd Commencement Exercises. The graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, May 16, at...

10 things you don’t know about me… Chandler Dalton

October 20, 2019

October 20, 2019

This week the director of St. Joseph-Ogden’s Fall Drama Production “Trap” tells us 10 things we don’t know about her!...

Senior spotlight Eric Poe

February 7, 2020

February 7, 2020

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we talked to Eric Poe. Thank you to...

Frisby to fly high at Illinois State

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

A welcome packet from Normal told St. Joseph-Ogden High School senior Justyn Frisby all he needed to know — he...

5 things you don’t know about me… Will Rubach

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

Will is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

Get to know to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Maya Hewkin

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the connection between the students. Being in band is like being a part...

SJO expected to vote to issue bonds for facility upgrades

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

Tonight at 6 p.m., the St. Joseph-Ogden Board of Education will meet to discuss issuing Taxable General Obligation School Bonds...

Senior Spotlight…. Brayden Grimsey

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we spoke to Brayden Grimsey. This post is sponsored...

Comments
Leave a Reply