In what’s shaped up as a bizarre end to the school year, the Warren County High School prom and graduation ceremony will be held during summer vacation.
The prom has been set for Friday, June 5, and graduation will follow on Friday, June 12, according to information released by Director of Schools Bobby Cox on Tuesday.
“I’m still hoping we can hold these events in the same format we have in the past, but we’re waiting on guidance from the state,” said Cox. “It may be that attendance is limited. We don’t know yet. But if there are limits in place we’ll have to work things out to stay within those limits.”
Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday he will allow safer-at-home requirements to expire April 30, which means most business will be allowed to reopen May 1. However, Tennessee schools are still to remain closed for the rest of the school year.
Cox said local educators want to hold the prom and graduation as close to the school year as possible. He noted by August high school graduates have already moved on and have their sights set on college or entering the workforce.
Cox released several dates of significance for students and parents to remember.
All student work for graduation requirements or grade improvement must be submitted by May 15.
According to the Tennessee State Board of Education, no student shall receive a grade lower than the grade they had March 20, but grades can be improved by performing work assigned since that point.
Principals will notify students and parents in the coming weeks when they can return Chromebooks, textbooks, library books and all other school property. Return dates will be scheduled from May 18-21.
Kindergarten, fifth-grade and eighth-grade graduations will be scheduled by each school during a two-week period prior to the new school year starting. Cox said school officials are operating as if the next school year will begin unchanged with the first day of school in Warren County set for Aug. 12.
Students and parents will be informed of their child’s teacher for next school year on May 21.
The current meal program will continue through May 21 at six school sites with 10 bus routes.
