Rosebud Lott Graduation Date pending Board approval
On May 7, Rosebud Lott-ISD announced their plans for how to move forward with graduation for the Class of 2020.
The Texas Education Agency put out their 2020 Graduation Ceremony Guidelines for Texas Schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas, TEA is providing four different pathways for schools to celebrate their graduating seniors,” said the press release.
The options were between virtual ceremonies conducted completely online, hybrid ceremonies that would allow students to be recognized in small groups, vehicle ceremonies where each student and their family is honored one at a time, or in-person outdoor ceremonies with a number of restrictions.
“Dr. Barton, HS Principal, has surveyed the seniors who overwhelmingly want a face-to-face graduation ceremony,” said a letter to the RLISD community from Superintendent Steve Brownlee.
An exact date has not yet been set. Because Falls County is now above the maximum threshold of five reported coronavirus cases set by Governor Greg Abbott’s Report to Open Texas, officials were sure it would take place during the month of June, “most likely” on June 5, according to the letter. The official date is pending board approval.
“The governor said we may actually be able to have it the last Friday in May,” Brownlee told reporters the next day. “But the board has to approve which date they want.”
Seniors will be seated on the track per years past, but will be spread out to follow CDC social distancing guidelines. Music for the event will be set up electronically to play from the press box.
“We will not use the band this year to reduce the number of people in attendance and to stay under the 25 percent occupancy,” stated Brownlee.
Each senior will be given five tickets to the event and all attendees will be expected to follow the social distancing guidelines outlined below:
The bleachers of Cougar Stadium will be marked off and numbered in 10 x 10 sections for each family. Students will be involved in a random drawing for seating selection.
Family members are expected to stay in their section throughout the ceremony, minus one person being allowed to a designated area in front of the podium to take photos while their graduate is receiving their diploma.
RLISD will have photographers on site to cover the event, as well as the ceremony will be videotaped, with the hope of being able to live stream the event. Both of these will be made available to the public on a later date as well.
Abbott stipulated that attendees will have to undergo screenings related to COVID-19 before entering the facility to ensure the safety of all attendees.
“Social distancing is required,” the letter reads.
Hand sanitizer will be available, but community members are encouraged to wear a face covering and possibly gloves.
For the most up to date information on Rosebud-Lott Independent School District or to view a copy of Dr. Brownlee’s letter, head to rlisd.org and check under “Latest News.”