Rockridge tries ’drive-in’ graduation ceremony
EDGINGTON — Rockridge School District will host its originally scheduled 2020 May 24 graduation ceremony for the 91 seniors using a modified drive-in theatre approach.
In keeping with “social distancing” recommendations, seniors will sit in the passenger seat of vehicles parked in the south parking lot west of the high school. Immediate family members are welcome to also sit in the vehicle. The ceremony is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
The diplomas will be handed out by high school principal Katy Hasson and associate principal/athletic director Scott Daly. Names will be broadcasted on Aledo radio station WRMJ.
School board members also learned at Monday night’s regular meeting that 8th grade promotion will be held on May 21 at 6:30 p.m., using the same drive in theatre system.
Principal Hasson said that more than $14,000 worth of scholarships will be given out to graduating seniors this year. Announcements will be posted on the district web site www.rr300.org sometime this week.
Superintendent Perry Miller said if for some reason the graduation plans do not work out, a date in late June or July will be set for graduation.
The question was asked about grade point average calculations. Principal Hasson said that this past semester “will have zero impact on the GPA.” Students are being graded on a Pass/Fail/Incomplete basis with no grade put into the calculation, due to the remote learning set up by district teachers.
Hasson said that juniors will probably be able to take the SAT test in the fall of this year at no charge to the student.
The board also learned of five district retirements this year, including Pam Whittington, 5th grade teacher at Andalusia Elementary, Colleen Bestian, teacher’s aide at Reynolds Elementary, Jo Hoscheidt, 1st grade teacher at Taylor Ridge Elementary, Cindy Ward, special education and Title 1 reading teacher at Taylor Ridge Elementary and Illinois City, and Allen Hyett, agriculture teacher.
In personnel matters, resignations were accepted including Ryan McDonald, 7th grade basketball coach; Mary Strchan, 8th grade volleyball coach; Kelly Vroman, junior high special education teacher and Sami Schaub, junior high athletic director.
New hires approved for 2020-2021 included Jeff Henry, head football coach; McKayla Partlow, 4th grade teacher at Andalusia Elementary; Kyle Sealey, high school social studies teacher and Nikki Hall, volunteer freshman volleyball coach.
A request by two teachers who live out of district was made for their children to be allowed to attend Rockridge schools. The board is taking the matter into consideration.