- High School
- 2020 Graduation
2020 Graduation
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Spring sports. Prom. Show choir. Musicals and plays. We know you’re sad and disappointed that the school year was derailed and that our traditional graduation, among countless other things, had to be cancelled. And while it doesn’t make up for an in-person graduation ceremony, we still want to celebrate and honor the resilient Class of 2020.
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Herff Jones – in collaboration with graduation technology partners StageClip and MarchingOrder – to host a virtual commencement for the senior Class of 2020. The event will be held on Sunday, June 14th.
In light of current challenges surrounding the COVID-19 global health crisis, resulting in closed campuses for the remainder of the school year and no clear indication as to when it would be possible to hold a traditional ceremony, we believe that a virtual graduation is the best option at this time
Herff Jones’ proven, easy-to-use platform makes hosting a virtual ceremony simple. Seniors will soon be contacted by Herff Jones and its partners with direction on how the information will be collected prior to the final celebration. Each graduate will also receive their own personalized content as a gift from the school to share on social media with family and friends using the hashtags #GradAWAYtion and #MoveTheTassel.
Tentative Diploma Distribution Photo Opportunity
We have a tentative diploma distribution photo opportunity scheduled for July 19th from 11 am to 1 pm. Pending recommendations from the state and our attorneys, this is subject to change. You may request to have your diploma mailed earlier between June 14th and July 19th, by calling the high school main office (920-563-7811). If you have not picked up your diploma by that date, or it is determined that we will not be able to have a photo opportunity, we will automatically mail them out to the student addresses listed in PowerSchool after that date.
Graduation Q&A
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Where can I find the virtual graduation link?
We will be sharing the link about 24 hours before the ceremony, which will go live at 1 pm on Sunday, June 14th.
This link will be shared the following ways:
- Emailed to the Class of 2020
- Emailed to the families of the Class of 2020
- Posted to this website
- Posted to the District YouTube page
- Posted to the High School and District Facebook page
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What Order states that schools are closed until June 30th?
Please find the Order here.
The order closes public and private K-12 school buildings for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, which ends on June 30th. The order does not change a school’s final attendance day for students. All schools must remain closed for in-person instructional and extracurricular activities. Schools may be used for essential government functions and food distribution.
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Are there any diploma photo opportunities?
Yes - we have a tentative diploma distribution photo opportunity scheduled for July 19th from 11 am to 1 pm. Pending recommendations from the state and the School District of Fort Atkinson attorneys, this is subject to change.
You may request to have your diploma mailed earlier, please call the high school main office (920-563-7811). If you have not picked up your diploma by that date, or it is determined that we will not be able to have a photo opportunity, we will automatically mail them out to the student addresses listed in PowerSchool after that date.
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What about other graduation ideas?
We have a wonderful 1Fort community and we are so thankful for the creative ideas that have been suggested. We looked into each of these ideas.
Based on the information available from the State, the Department of Health Services, and our School District of Fort Atkinson attorneys, a virtual ceremony is our best option at this time.
We are hopeful the tentative diploma distribution photo opportunity will take place on July 19th.
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Can a more traditional graduation ceremony take place after the Safer-at-Home Order is lifted?
Given that this order closes public and private K-12 school buildings for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, which ends on June 30th. All schools must remain closed for in-person instructional and extracurricular activities. Schools may be used for essential government functions and food distribution.
We are hopeful that we can hold a tentative diploma distribution photo opportunity on July 19th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is pending recommendations from the State and School District of Fort Atkinson attorneys closer to that time.
Given the Badger Bounceback Plan from the State, Phase One of the plan will allow for mass gatherings of up to 10 people, Phase Two allows for mass gatherings of up to 50 people. We need to consider where the State is at with this plan as we approach the July 19th date.
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What about a parade or drive-thru graduation ceremony?
Per the recommendations of the Department of Public Health of Madison & Dane County, we are advised not do proceed with either of these options while the Safer-at-Home Order is in effect.
Please see the recommendations here.
We have a tentative diploma distribution photo opportunity scheduled for July 19th from 11 am to 1 pm. Pending recommendations from the state and School District of Fort Atkinson attorneys, this is subject to change.
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What about a ceremony on the football field or the Hwy 18 Drive-In?
Per guidance from the State and School District of Fort Atkinson attorneys, any gathering the School District facilitates, we are liable. This means that we would need to ensure proper social distancing at all times, and if one person contracts the virus from our event, we are legally liable.
Given the Badger Bounceback Plan from the State, Phase One of the plan will allow for mass gatherings of up to 10 people, Phase Two allows for mass gatherings of up to 50 people.
We are hopeful that we can hold a tentative diploma distribution photo opportunity on July 19th, from 11 am to 1 pm. This is pending recommendations from the State and School District of Fort Atkinson attorneys closer to that time. We will consider where the State is at with this plan as we approach the July 19th date.
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What about caps & gowns & yearbooks?
Caps & Gowns
If you have not ordered your graduation cap & gown, please go to www.jostens.com and place your order.
If you have ordered your cap & gown and they are at the high school, our office team will be calling you to schedule a pick-up time over the next couple of weeks.
If you are struggling to get a cap & gown, please follow-up with your School Counselor.
Yearbooks
We will be scheduling a time to pick-up your yearbook.
You can hear Mr. Halvorsen's morning announcement here.
