SHELBY — The show will go on for Shelby High School’s graduating class of seniors.
Principal John Gies announced the class of 2020 would have its graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 23 at noon, drive-in movie style at Shelby High School.
All 135 graduates and their families will be assigned a parking spot in front of the high school. The graduate and two family members, who will present the graduate with their diploma, will be allowed out of their cars to come to a stage set up in front of the school.
Valedictorian Morgan Gove will join Principal Gies, Superintendent Tim Tarvin and Board of Education president Scott Rose on stage for a speech. This year’s graduation speaker is 2004 Shelby graduate Heidi McKenzie.
WMAN AM1400 and WSWR FM 100.1 will broadcast the ceremony live. The school will also live-stream the ceremony on the district’s YouTube channel, the link to which will be distributed at a later date. The high school area will be closed to anyone else during the graduation ceremony.
“Does this make everybody happy? No, and we’re not real happy either,” Gies said. “But it’s the best we can do with the situation we have. We’re going to try the best we can to incorporate as much of a typical graduation ceremony as possible.”
Seniors can pick up cap and gowns and honor cords and stoles beginning Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the high school office. All financial obligations must be cleared before students can receive caps and gowns or take part in graduation.
Chromebook drop-off and locker clean-out for seniors is Wednesday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All seniors, including Pioneer seniors, must come to the high school main office to receive graduation instructions on Wednesday, May 20, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
After Gov. Mike DeWine announced on April 20 that remote learning would continue for all students through the end of the school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) on April 23 discouraged schools from conducting graduation ceremonies and other year-end events.
“While we understand the significance, tradition and rites of passage many of these events represent, particularly for our seniors, schools should hold events virtually rather than conducting in-person events of this type, and record these events whenever possible and practicable,” the department stated.
Though virtual graduations are still the preferred route, the ODE and the Ohio Department of Health offered a scenario on April 29 for drive-thru graduations.
“It is important that every effort is made to avoid mass gatherings which potentially would allow the virus to spread quickly,” the ODE stated. “The Ohio Department of Health has defined mass gatherings as a group of 10 people or more who do not live in the same household. The ban on mass gatherings includes any outdoor ceremonies even if social distancing is achieved.”
Shelby’s plan is a modification of the drive-thru scenario, while still making every effort to stay six feet apart. Gies worked with the Shelby City Health Department, the district’s attorneys, and a committee of students, parents and teachers to achieve the current ceremony.
“The students really wanted everybody together,” Gies said. “This way they’re all going to be there in the parking lot. They have to be in their cars, but it’s the best we could do with bringing everybody together but still maintaining social distancing.”
In the case of inclement weather, the May 23 ceremony will be pushed back to no later than 6 p.m. the same day. The rain date is Sunday, May 24 at 1 p.m. In the case of inclement weather both days, the graduation ceremony will be held inside the Shelby High School gymnasium at 3 p.m. on May 24.
In the event of an indoor ceremony, Shelby will move to what the ODE refers to as a “single family in-person graduation.” Families are called into the gymnasium one-by-one, with no more than 10 people total including school administrators. Graduates will walk across the stage, receive their diploma, then walk out of the gymnasium while the next family enters.
“Attention should be paid to disinfecting surfaces (door handles, hand railings, etc.) that may be repeatedly touched,” the ODE stated. “Also, strict parking management and regulation is needed to prevent congregating in parking lots and outdoor locations. This can be done by appointment only to ensure a smooth process for all.”
Underclassmen will turn in Chromebooks and clean out lockers using the following schedule:
• Freshmen: Thursday, May 21 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Sophomores: Friday, May 22 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Juniors: Tuesday, May 26 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Make-up day for all grades: Wednesday, May 27 from 8 a.m. – noon
