Page • Class of 2020 and Parents

Lovelady Independent School District
11839 Texas State Hwy 19 South, Lovelady Texas 75851
Phone (936) 636-616 Fax (936) 936-2212
May 6, 2020

Lovelady ISD Senior Parents,

The Commissioner of Education has provided further guidance to school districts regarding hosting graduation ceremonies. I have attached the guidance provided yesterday at 4:30 to all school districts. Given this new guidance we have put
tremendous thought into what is the best decision for our seniors based on this current information. Throughout this ever-changing process, it's been our goal to provide a respectful ceremony, held at our school in order to truly honors these great students for their many accomplishments. A high school graduation is a huge milestone.

As we have stated throughout this process we desperately wanted to provide an in-person ceremony for our seniors. I have consistently stated we would graduate on May 23th, and based on the guidance at that time I felt confident this would be the case. As you will see in the attachment we can still graduate on May 23th but an in-person ceremony would not be allowed. I understand moving the date is something that may not make everyone happy but we feel it's the best option for these most deserving students. I understand invitations have been ordered for the original date but this is simply something we cannot control. I do hope giving you this information now will at least give you the opportunity to add a correction insert and inform family members of this change.

Based on the information provided yesterday we have made our final decision to host our graduation ceremony on June 5th at 7:30, at the Lovelady HS football stadium. As you will see on the attachment this option will still require strict
guidelines. I also included all of the allowable options provided to school districts so that you will be informed and understand the options we had to choose from. Due to the fact that all banquets were cancelled we will take the opportunity at

the graduation ceremony to recognize these graduates for these accolades as well.

The impact of this Pandemic has been devastating for our seniors. I ask that you be understanding of the fact that these are historical times and I apologize if this change causes any hardships. If we had the ability to host an in-person graduation on the 23rd of May, we would most defiantly do so. We want the best for our seniors and with your cooperation we will afford the students with a nice ceremony and one we hope they will never forget.

Because the plan has to be extremely detailed in order to meet the guidelines and rehearsals are not allowed for the students, we will be scheduling individual conferences with each graduate to describe how the ceremony will be held. We ask that one parent or representative attend the meeting as well. The conferences may be held by phone if you prefer, but our preference would be to meet in person following social distancing protocol. We do not however need anyone to attend in person who is required to be quarantined, symptomatic, or immune-compromised. Students who do participate and receive their materials at the conference will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. We are willing to be flexible with our schedules to ensure you are able to attend.

Unfortunately, each graduate will only be allowed to bring 6 people to the ceremony. However, we will livestream the event allowing family members and friends to view the ceremony. We will also share some suggestions for how family members can participate outside of the school grounds.

You will receive a packet of information at the meeting along with entry tickets and parking passes. I am sure you still have many questions but please understand the conferences will give us the opportunity to clear up any questions you may have.

Mrs. Gilchrist or someone from the school will be contacting each graduate soon to schedule conference meetings. These meetings will be held on May 12th, 13th, and 14th. If you would like to email Mrs. Gilchrist at lgilchrist@loveladyisd.net to provide her with a current phone number and best time to contact you please feel free to email this information to her.

We ask that you understand this Pandemic has been an extremely fluid situation and we have no other option but to monitor and adjust based on the guidance provided by the state. I cannot tell you that within the next week something else might change that would have allowed an earlier date but it's necessary at this point to make a final decision allowing everyone to plan accordingly. PLEASE, take the time to read all of the information provided, it is extremely important that you do so. We want to honor their accomplishments and acknowledge this huge milestone in their lives, they deserve it. The class of 2020 is one we shall never forget and will go out under our "Friday Night Lights" as a FIGHTING LOVELADY LION!

Thank you,

Wendy Tullos
Lovelady I5D
Superintendent of Schools
Ph: (936) 636-7616 Ext 222

"Together We Can"

Commissioner of Education
Graduation Ceremony Guidance/Options
May 5, 2020

This document is for information only. We have made our decision to go with option 4 but wanted to provide you with the actual guidance given to all Texas Public Schools as of yesterday, May 5th.

IN PERSON INDOOR CEREMONIES - COMISSIONER'S RESPONSE
No. In-person indoor ceremonies are not yet permitted under current executive orders related to public health.

OPTION 1- VIRTUAL GRADUATION
Question- How do we obtain approval to conduct a completely virtual graduation ceremony?

Commissioner's Response - Graduation ceremonies that will be completely virtual are approved and may proceed in accordance with local plans. A student may participate in a virtual graduation ceremony upon certification that the student has satisfied all graduation requirements. No action is required on the part of school districts to obtain approval for a virtual ceremony.

OPTION 2-VIDEO GRADUATION
Question- Are we able to compile a video of students filmed individually or in small groups to create a virtual graduation ceremony?

Commissioner's Response- A hybrid ceremony (compilation video of students filmed individually or in small groups) that complies with relevant executive orders and guidelines is approved and may proceed effective May 15 in accordance with local plans.

OPTION 3-VEHICLE GRADUATION
Question- Are we able to conduct a graduation ceremony during which graduates and their families
participate from their vehicles?

Commissioner's Response- A vehicle ceremony that complies with relevant executive orders and guidelines is approved and may proceed effective May 15 in accordance with local plans. Please note, though, that determining whether specific arrangements made in a hybrid ceremony are permissible under Governor Abbott's current COVID-19 disaster orders, as well as any local orders not in conflict with Governor Abbott's orders.

Participants arrive at a designated venue (one vehicle with the graduate and family members from the same household) and remain in their vehicles. When called on the family drives to a stage, the graduate exits the vehicle, and walks across the stage to receive a diploma from an administrator or dignitary wearing gloves (or picks the diploma up from a table or o the family drives to a designated location where an administrator or dignitary wearing gloves hands the graduate the diploma through an open window.

OPTION 4-OUTDOOR CEREMONIES
Question- Are we able to conduct in-person, outdoor ceremonies?

Commissioner's Response- An outdoor ceremony may take place in any county on or after June l. Be advised, the executive order guidance is subject to change as underlying public health conditions change. Additionally, between May 15 and May 31, 2020, an outdoor ceremony will be permitted in a rural county that has an attestation as described in the "Texans Helping Texans: The Governor's Report to Open Texas" (April 27, 2020) that remains in effect 7 days prior to the ceremony. (Unfortunately, we have more than five cases in our county so having the ceremony prior to June l51 will not be permitted for schools in Houston County seeking to host an in-person ceremony.)

The following guidelines will be required by Texas school districts for outdoor ceremonies to be in
compliance with executive orders include the following:

Note-We already have detailed plans to meet all of these guidelines and will go over all of them at the individual meetings.

Identification of the largest outdoor venue in the area to allow for maximum spacing among participants
Seating of graduates of sufficient distance from one another on the football field with limited guests in the bleachers or not guests at all
Availability of a livestream or televised broadcast of ceremony to limit participant attendance and for those unable to attend.
Providing non-medical grade face masks to graduates
Assigning seating and arrange escorts to the assigned seating location
Predesignating/assigning parking so that arrivals and departures are carefully coordinated
Staggering of release of students and guests to limit congregating after the ceremony

Once again, please understand you will receive a packet for you graduate with very detailed plans outlining how the ceremony will be arranged to meet all of these guidelines.