Dear Hartford High School Seniors and Families,
In May, we informed you about the postponement of our graduation ceremony that was scheduled for May 16th. After multiple meetings and with Lyon County Health Department officials and several revisions to the plan, they approved a plan on Monday that will allow us to move forward with a ceremony on June 20, 2020 with several restrictions as safety continues to be the priority.
The formal ceremony will be held at Hartford High School football field and will begin at 9:00 a.m. We are still required to maintain social distancing and are limited to the number of individuals in attendance. As a result, only parents of the graduates are allowed. The ceremony will also be viewable through KVOE’s live stream and on Facebook Live. This will allow any of your extended family and/or friends to view it from wherever they may live. (The ceremony will be moved to the parking lot south of the high school if the field is wet or muddy; in case of inclement weather, we will move to an alternative plan that includes a virtual element and a personalized diploma presentation. More details will follow if necessary- the decision will be made a day prior to the event based on the forecast).
As you and your graduate arrive at the football field, we ask that your graduate enter the field through the west gate by the field house and that you (parents) enter through the east double gate where you will be greeted by staff and escorted to our designated seating area. We will have areas of our bleachers partitioned to maintain social distancing. If you would like, you may bring your own chair.
Our graduation will have most, if not all, aspects of our traditional ceremony. Parents of graduates are asked to remain seated throughout the ceremony as moving to other locations during the ceremony to take pictures etc. is not permitted. We have a photographer to capture the event and will make these pictures available to parents of graduates at no cost. In addition, a video of the day’s event will be given to each graduate. At the conclusion of the ceremony, each graduate and their parents will return to their vehicles and will form a parade through the City of Hartford so residents can celebrate them from their porches, etc.
Public Health Officials have asked us to remind each of you to follow the social distancing guidelines as you participate in our event or plan and prepare personal graduation events. Please be wise in your personal decision making as you plan parties and celebrations to honor our graduates. Our safety partners for this event include Lyon County Public Health and the Lyon County Sheriff's Office and they wish you the best in your future endeavors!
Seniors will need to attend our graduation practice that will take place at 5:30PM on June 19. Students will need to make arrangements to attend. Students will need to park alongside the football field and report directly to the football field. Graduates are asked to bring their cap/gown/tassel/stole to the graduation practice so that we can take pictures etc. Graduates and only required staff will be allowed to attend. HHS Student Council will host a senior graduation recognition meal afterwards at the football field. Social Distancing will be maintained throughout.
As always, I am available if you have any questions. Thank you for your patience as we work to give students the celebration they deserve, given the constraints of our current situation.
Sincerely,
Doug Hes