At the July 13, 2020 Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education meeting, held at the NPS Central Administration Building at 5:30 p.m., the school board members and school administrators considered four options that have been researched regarding the graduation ceremony on July 26, 2020.
The four options considered were:
- Traditional Ceremony with entire class and guests (held at NHS)
- Outdoor Ceremony with entire class and guests (held at Skyview Lake Park)
- Alternative Ceremony (multiple ceremonies of smaller numbers of students and guests held at NHS recognizing indoor gathering limits)
- Fully virtual ceremony (with no in-person interaction).
On May 7 and again on June 8, NHS Principal Derek Ippensen sent an email to students and families of the graduating class letting them know that July 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. would be graduation day, but that the logistics of the graduation ceremony were still to be determined. Factors such as Governor initiated Directed Health Measures (DHMs), guidance from local public health officials, and recommendations from the Nebraska Commissioner of Education would all be considered before any final decisions could be made. School Administrators gathered details together and shared them with the NPS Board of Education at Monday’s board meeting.
Upon considering all the information presented, the school board members voted to approve the Outdoor Ceremony at Skyview Lake Park, with the entire Class of 2020 present, as the graduation option for 07/26/2020 at 2:00 p.m. There was discussion regarding the implications of potential severe weather, and it was decided that the outdoor ceremony was the best option, but a back-up plan should be considered. It was decided that it was appropriate to split the class to accommodate DHM requirements and host 2 ceremonies in the NHS gym, if needed. This will only be implemented if poor weather prohibits the outdoor ceremony. NHS Principal, Mr. Derek Ippensen, told us: “I am so grateful to the Board of Education for selecting the Outdoor Ceremony option. This graduating class, and their families, have been through a lot to get to their graduation day. My hope is that the weather cooperates and they get to have a once in a lifetime memory with an outdoor ceremony at Skyview. I also hope that they can feel the positive energy from their school community rallying behind them, it’s definitely been an unusual graduation season, but we are excited to realize we will get to celebrate their day with them!”
Students, and families, will receive an email from Mr. Ippensen with all the specific details regarding graduation day. This information will also be available on the Norfolk High School website in the very near future. Important details include:
- Graduation Rehearsal: July 23, 2020, 10:00 a.m., Skyview Lake Park
- Graduates - gather near the stage on the north side of the lake.
- Graduation Ceremony: July 26, 2020, 2:00 p.m., Skyview Lake Park
- Chairs, masks, and drinking water will be provided for the graduates.
- Limited seating space is available for guests. Families are asked to limit their number of invited guests to six and for households to sit together at Skyview, socially distancing themselves from other household groups.
- Invited guests are encouraged to bring their own masks, lawn chairs, blankets, and water (alcohol is strictly prohibited), for viewing the ceremony.
- Parking will be limited. Hard paved parking on the north side, near the stage, will be reserved for handicapped parking, so please arrive early and plan accordingly.
- Digital programs will be used the day of graduation. Graduates will be provided with a printed keepsake program when they pick up their diploma the following week.
- The graduation ceremony will be streamed live on News Channel Nebraska so everyone unable to attend the in-person ceremony can still participate. Find the link to the live stream on the Norfolk High School website closer to 7/26/2020.
- In the event that the outdoor ceremony must be moved indoors due to inclement weather, students and parents will be notified by 9:00 a.m. on 7/26/2020 via robocall and email. The information will also be shared on the school district’s website, twitter account, and facebook account. More details will also be shared with the graduating class at rehearsal on 7/23.
The “Alternative Prom/Post Prom” event considered for this weekend (7/18/2020) will be canceled. Although the school had hoped to provide our 2019-2020 junior and senior classes with this social opportunity, school administration felt they cannot effectively meet social distancing and disinfecting requirements - given the type of activities that would occur. Student safety is our highest priority.
Prom King and Queen will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on July 18 via Twitter (@mr_ippensen).
