Superintendent's Message for May 2020

Today we have finished the first 30 school days of the Covid-19 school shut down.  We continue to see the number of cases increasing daily statewide.  A big reason for that is due to the state testing more Iowans.  Packing plants have taken a big hit as well.  Adams County has still been able to avoid the virus, and we hope that will remain the case.

We sent a survey out to the senior class seeking input on senior awards night, graduation and prom.   We have looked at the responses and have been working very hard to make sure our senior class will be able to experience some of the events.  We will be live streaming our senior awards night on Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 p.m.  More details from Mr. Donahoo will follow.  Prom is postponed  to a date this summer, if we meet requirements from the federal and state governments.

And for graduation…we have it planned as an outside ceremony at the football field on May 16th at 1:00 pm!  We have worked very closely with Adams County Emergency Management, Adams County Sheriff’s office, Adams/Taylor County Public health and Iowa Public health to have our plan approved by them.  The plan is very detailed and only graduates, parents, stepparents or guardians will be allowed at the ceremony.  We will be live streaming and Facebook live the event. We will also have a photographer taking pictures.  We are working with KCSI to broadcast the event.  All attendees will be checked for temperature and cough by medical personnel before being allowed in the gate.  All attendees will need to be wearing a facemask or they will not be allowed in the gate.  All participants will be directed where to sit and seats will be spaced apart at least 6 feet.  Students will be spaced 10 feet apart and 8 feet between rows.  Graduates will park and enter through the east entrance and directed to the staging area before the ceremony.  Parents will park in the south parking lot and enter through the southwest gate.  No parking will be allowed in the north grass parking lot.  Following graduation, graduates will be asked to return to their cars and leave the parking lot.  Parents will be asked to do the same.

We are confident that if everyone follows the directions they are given we will have a wonderful and memorable ceremony for our graduates. 

You may ask, why now and not wait.  We want to ensure our graduates get what they have asked for and that is a live graduation ceremony.  During the summer, you run into many different schedules and it would be hard to find a weekend date that worked for everyone.  We also want to continue our school year as we normally would and have the graduation in May.  Sunday, May 17th will be a rain date.  I am very confident we can have a memorable ceremony for both graduates and parents.  Adams County Law Enforcement, CHI Health, and Public Health will be present to help our ceremony go smoothly.  If you are not feeling well on the day of graduation, please do not come, but rather just enjoy the ceremony on live stream.

Again, all participants will be required to wear a facemask for precautionary reasons and you will    not be allowed to proceed through the gate without your temperature taken and a facemask on.

Mr. Donahoo and Tina will share more information on caps and gowns soon.

Bonus item - the greenhouse is ready to sell items!  The greenhouse is open for business beginning Monday, April 27th.  Hours are Monday through Friday 4:30–6:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30–10:30 a.m.  

In conclusion, we are very excited to be able to have a live ceremony for our graduates and let them see their classmates again.  We know this will be a ceremony like no other and will be a great event   to end their SWV careers!

WE all have been knocked down by this virus and the show of true character is how you react.  We have dusted off and are moving forward.  That is what winners do, and the whole Wolfpack family   are winners!  Have a great weekend and continue being safe and keeping positive.  It is a great day    to be a Twolf!!!

Chris Fenster, Superintendent