Harmony Grove High School announced on Tuesday the instructions for their drive-thru graduation ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th at the school complex.
Long story short:
- Each grad in cap & gown, can come with family in up to two vehicles
- A-L last names arrive 3:30 p.m.
- M-Y last names arrive 5:30 p.m.
- Drive to presentation spot
- Only the grad gets out for pictures, gets back in
- Vehicle continues around complex to get transcript and other documents.
- Now that you have the simple version, if you’re participating, you should definitely read the long version.
The school previously advised students of two tentative dates for a traditional graduation – Thursday, July 9th and Thursday, August 6th. The administration is waiting for approval from the Department of Education (DOE) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) before they can confirm a date, so watch for that news to come later.
The drive-thru graduation program will proceed on May 12th under the following guidelines by the DOE and Arkansas Department of Health (ADH):
Watch earier in the day for a graduation video by Jostens to be aired on the school website and social media outlets. It will be shown at 12 p.m., Tuesday, May 12th.
The drive-thru graduation event will be May 12, 2020 at Harmony Grove School District.
Graduates should arrive dressed in their caps and gowns.
No person be allowed to get out of their vehicles while waiting in line.
Vehicles will be divided into two groups, allowing two cars vehicles graduate so that more family members can participate.
- Graduates with last names beginning with A-L will line up at 3:30 p.m. and drive-thru beginning at 4 p.m.
- Graduates with last names beginning with M-Y will line up at 5:30 p.m. and drive-thru beginning at 6 p.m.
Vehicles will enter campus by vehicle from Cates Road, between the kindergarten building and the pharmacy. See map above.
After entering the campus, graduates will be directed to see Mrs. Toler to check in.
After checking in, graduates will be directed to drive through campus, creating a line beginning at the stop sign, where the parking lot meets Highway 229.
Graduates will not be lined up in alphabetical order, just in order of arrival.
At this point, one graduate at a time will be released to drive to the front of the high school building, at the “HG” awning, to receive their diploma jacket.
When arriving at the awning, only the student will exit the vehicle. The student will pick up their diploma jacket on a designated table and stand and a designated spot for a professional graduation picture to be taken by Davis Photography.
The graduate will then re-enter their vehicle and be directed to the awning at the entrance to the elementary school office where they will receive their envelope with their diploma, official transcripts, and other information.
After receiving their packet, the vehicles will be directed to exit campus on to Highway 229.
This procedure has been approved by the Department of education, and the criteria listed below must be followed in order for the ceremony to be completed:
Two vehicles per graduate. Graduate does not have to be driving a vehicle.
Due to social distancing guidelines provided by the state of Arkansas and the CDC, only The graduate will be allowed to exit their vehicle at the front of the school.
Limousines, trailers, ATVs, or other large capacity vehicles will not be permitted on the Harmony Grove campus. All passengers must be within the vehicle – no riding in the back of trucks or on vehicles.
Non-graduates must remain in their vehicles at all times while on the Harmony Grove School campus.
Spectators will not be allowed at any point during the event. This includes on campus, along Highway 229, or parked across the street from the high school. The Saline County Sheriff’s Department as well as Haskell Police Department will be present to enforce these guidelines.
The school is making arrangements to live stream the event. Watch the school’s social media for info on that.