White County School System issues graduation update, more

The White County High School Class of 2020 is still getting their graduation in May, it's just going to look a little different. 

In an update from White County School System Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett on Friday, April 17, she asked seniors to reserve the following dates: May 22 for a drive-in graduation, July 24 for prom, July 25 for a traditional graduation, and Aug. 21 for a senior yearbook party. The drive-in graduation will include a big screen, live video, prerecorded video and the use of an FM station. It was emphasized that the school system is working at the discretion of the CDC and Department of Public Health, but encouraged seniors to save these dates. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting unprecedented challenges in Georgia and across the country," Burkett said in the news release. "The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is working with districts as we maneuver this uncharted territory. WCSS, along with GaDOE, is making every effort to take into consideration the magnitude of the pandemic and the effect it has had, and will have, on the lives of our students, families and educators."

The following updates have also been issued by White County School System:

• Will lunches still be delivered? The current schedule of meal distribution will continue until May 22, 2020. Summer meal distribution will begin Monday, June 1, 2020. Check our website for the most up-to-date schedule for meal distribution.
• What should students who still have personal items inside the school building do? A detailed schedule for pick-up of materials and other belongings will be provided once the Governor’s Executive Order for the shelter-in place is lifted. Personal items may include yearbooks, student desk/locker contents, etc.
• If we received a chromebook from the school, what should we do? A detailed schedule for returning chromebooks will be provided once the Governor’s Executive Order for the shelter-in place is lifted.
• Will high school graduation and other schools’ end-of-year activities still take place? We are committed to honoring our students, particularly those in the Class of 2020 who have been impacted by this most unprecedented time. While our celebrations at each school may look different, we will continue to celebrate our students and their accomplishments.
• Will we still get report cards? Report cards will be mailed no later than the beginning of June. K-8 students will receive notification of grade placement on their report card. Placement for students in grades 9-12 will be based on the number of credits earned. No student will be penalized for situations beyond his or her control. The week of May 4-8 will be the final week for new material/instruction. The final packet pick-up will be on Monday, May 4th. All student work should be completed and returned by May 11th.
• When will Kindergarten registration be held? We recognize that Kindergarten registration is a special event and may be the first school experience some students and parents have. Because of this, we would like to hold this event in-person, and will wait to reschedule Kindergarten registration until we have further guidance about these types of events.
• What about ESY plans? This situation continues to evolve, but at this time, we do not anticipate hosting face to face summer learning opportunities for students who are eligible for extended school year (ESY), some instruction may be provided for small groups of students in an online format. More guidance will be provided no later than May 1st.

Updates from the school system are posted on their website.