Du Quoin graduation, promotion plans may be finalized next week

Du Quoin Unit District 300 is working to nail down details of what the 2020 high school commencement and eighth grade promotion ceremonies will look like, possibly as early as next week.

"I feel like were getting close to where I need to get information out to parents," said Superintendent Matt Hickam on Monday.

"I'd like to have it settled by next week, before we get into the July Fourth holiday. That's a time when families are communicating with each other."

The eighth grade promotion is scheduled for July 24 and the high school graduation for July 25. Both ceremonies were originally planned for May, and could have gone ahead in some kind of virtual manner.

However, both district leaders and high school seniors wanted to hold off on a virtual ceremony - and see if by waiting til midsummer they might be able to hold a ceremony that more closely resembles a traditional commencement.

Hickam said the district is waiting on more specific recommendations from the State Board of Education as to what school should look like as the state enters Phase 4 of the COVID-19 recovery plan. Phase 4, which allows gatherings of up to 50 people, come as early as later this week.

"We were hoping the guidance would be here by today (Monday) but they've delayed it," he added.

Meanwhile, Hickam said he and his principals will talk this week about the graduation and promotion ceremonies.

After that, he'd like to hear from parents, and anticipates sending out a text survey to their smartphones.