Seniors in Catoosa County might get a chance to celebrate graduation after all.
Catoosa County Public Schools Superintendent Denia Reese announced two contingency plans for graduation as the district tries to salvage what is left of the school year amid the coronavirus emergency.
“We all regret that the COVID-19 pandemic severely interrupted the Class of 2020’s senior year,” Reese said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “In case large gatherings are still prohibited by state and federal guidelines at the end of May, the high school principals and I have worked together to develop a plan for graduation.”
Traditional graduation ceremonies for seniors at Heritage High School will be held on July 30 and seniors at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School and Ringgold High School will be held on July 31.
For students who will not be able to attend the July ceremonies, a drive-thru graduation will be held at all three high schools. Heritage High School will host its drive-thru ceremony on May 21 and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold High will host theirs on May 22.
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Traditional Graduation Ceremonies Heritage High School, July 30, 8:00 p.m., Jeff Sims Field at Heritage Stadium LFO High School, July 31, 8:20 p.m., LFO’s Tommy Cash Stadium Ringgold High School, July 31, 8:00 p.m., RHS’s Don Patterson Stadium Drive-thru Graduations Heritage High School, May 21 LFO High School, May 22 Ringgold High School, May 22
Students who choose the drive-thru option will have to call their school to make an appointment. Students will be allowed to invite a limited number of family members based on the state’s guidelines for gatherings.
The school principal and a few members of the faculty will be present at the drive-thru ceremonies. Students and administrators will wear their cap and gown and a photographer will be present for pictures.
Students will also be notified about planning the traditional ceremony and more information on rehearsal in the near future.
Senior class sponsors and officers are planning a free senior dance in July at each high school. Dates for the dances will be announced at a later date.
Reese said it is encouraging that Georgia’s Gov. Brian Kemp is lifting some of the shelter-in-place guidelines later this week, but the future is still uncertain as the district looks ahead to graduation.
Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.