Sauk Prairie seniors to get drive-in graduation ceremony next week

Sauk Prairie High School seniors will get a graduation ceremony this year after all--on the original date of May 29. On Monday night, the school board unanimously approved a drive-in ceremony plan engineered by Superintendent Jeff Wright and High School Principal Chad Harnisch. The ceremony will make up for the difference from an in-person ceremony with large video boards, as well as simulcasts on 99.7 FM and social media. The District had been planning on a July 24 date for graduation. Wright wrote, of the graduation ceremony, usually attended by 3,000 people, “it is unlikely that we will be able to have that traditional ceremony. Even in late July, it is probable that the status of the pandemic will render it unwise and unsafe to host a gathering of that size.” At the meeting Wright and Harnisch said any limitations due to the pandemic in July would be the same as they are now.  Wright sketched out the general idea of a “drive-in” ceremony in just over a week. He presented the board with a two-page proposal with details to be worked out in the next few days. In a letter, Wright and Harnisch gave the following reasons for the request: “The traditional ceremony will likely not be an option even with the two-month delay.  The plan below will be our ceremony whenever we are allowed to hold it.  Having the ceremony on May 29th allows for closure to this challenging school year for our students in a timely manner.  A May 29th ceremony allows members of the Class of 2020 who will have already transitioned to their post-secondary plans (college, work, military) by July 24th to share this moment with their classmates.” Wright noted the Wisconsin Department of Instruction shared the following guidance: “In further reviewing the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision, please be aware that public and private schools remain closed for pupil instruction and extracurricular activities through June 30. For any activity that is not pupil instruction or an extracurricular activity, schools should consult with their local health departments as to how to engage in that activity safely, or whether to engage in that activity at all.” “As you consider activities such as graduation, which is not typically considered an extracurricular activity, please review earlier graduation guidance released by DHS and consult with your local health authority as to how to hold a safe alternative graduation activity on or off school grounds.” He said the Sauk County Department of Health approved the District’s plans, the Department of Instruction was “fine” with it, Chief Jerry Strunz of the Sauk Prairie Police Department, the class officers and advisors approved it as well. The Wisconsin Department of Instruction website directs visitors to Wisconsin Department of Health Services guidance for graduation ceremonies. In its lengthy guidelines, the Department says the following: “Gatherings of students and families in drive-through ceremonies, even in separate cars, may result in situations where ensuring adequate social distancing and protection of families and school staff is difficult. This may put students and their families at risk, particularly for students or family members with underlying risk factors that put them at risk for severe health impacts if they contract COVID-19.” The guidance continues: “However, if a school district pursues plans for a drive-through ceremony, more care and complex planning is required in attempting structured and controlled drive-through graduation ceremonies that minimize risk. Examples of drive-through ceremonies that involve minimal risk include...” It then lists the model to be used by Sauk Prairie School District: “Students and their families drive up to the school wearing masks. Only the student gets out of the car to receive the diploma, the principal says the name of the student on a loudspeaker, a photo or video is taken of the student more than 6 feet from school staff, and the family drives away. All of this would be done in a single-file line with support from law enforcement to ensure public safety and flow of traffic.” The District proposes a modified plan, with four lanes of traffic for diplomas, and each student walking 50 or so feet alongside the car to receive the diploma from a masked and gloved district representative. A total of 230 cars will be allowed, each with four passengers. The graduate will sit in the passenger seat. A ceremony will be held at the beginning, including in-person and pre-recorded elements. More details will be sent to parents and students in the coming days. The Board was also told if any students disobeyed the social distancing requirements the ceremony would be shut down. “We would walk away,” said Wright. When the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Governor Evers’ Safer At Home order, Sauk County released the following statement: “Sauk County Public Health (SCPH) will NOT issue a local public health order requiring continuation of the state’s Safer at Home order at this time. That is not the right decision for Sauk County right now. Instead, SCPH is issuing guidance to help businesses,organizations, families, and individuals continue to stay safe themselves and help protect others from COVID-19. Any effective plan to reopen our community will be dependent on individuals, business owners, and community leaders making personal and business decisions to proactively protect themselves, their guests, their customers, and their staff.” In a press release on Tuesday, May 19, Sauk County officials recommended masks for those in public. Just a few miles south in Dane County has a revised, county-wide Safer At Home order which mimics the former state order was issued; this order is scheduled to end prior to the graduation ceremony. Dane County had one of earliest COVID-19 cases in the country and confirmed community spread in mid-March. “Community spread” means infections are no longer transmitted person to person through identifiable contacts, but instead throughout the community at large. Sauk County, with a population of 64,000, is reporting 77 total confirmed cases as of Tuesday, May 19, with 2269 tests performed. There are eight active cases. The majority of those cases, over 20 percent, were in individuals between the ages of 20 to 29 years. Sauk Prairie resident Caleb Maier recently came forward with his story of surviving COVID-19.