Marion County Schools Update - June 19, 2020

In-person graduation ceremonies for West Virginia schools are permitted starting June 22, 2020, in outdoor venues only.
 
All of the Graduation Ceremonies in Marion County will be live-streamed on each high school’s Facebook page.

Given that at this time there is no way to mitigate all the risks involved in attending public events, people must make their own decisions on whether or not to attend large capacity activities given their own or their family’s health vulnerabilities.
 
Outdoor events must be structured to allow for appropriate social distancing and other safety measures to be in place.

• Six feet of social distancing is required.
• Face masks or coverings are strongly encouraged.

 
Safety Precautions that everyone is expected to follow:

• Communicate expectations and guidelines to the community in advance to ensure understanding and compliance.
• Members of the same household may sit close to one another; however, household groups must maintain six-feet of social distancing from one another.
• Seating should be limited or adjusted to ensure appropriate spacing between rows or seats.
• Six feet of social distance must be designated between graduates.
• Handshaking and hugging are not permitted.
• Directional signage must be prominently posted to guide families to seating.
• A system should be established to maintain separation of families wanting to take pictures of graduates. Avoid crowding in common spaces by designating specific entry and exit points to assist with crowd control.
• As needed, enlist assistance from local public health officials to create crowd-flow plans and local law enforcement to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
• Hand sanitizer stations should be provided throughout the area.
• Markings must be placed on the ground for six feet of social distance between graduates in line to receive diplomas/certificates.
• Live stream events online or on television to offer alternatives for those who wish to view the ceremonies without traveling to the venue or for those that are particularly vulnerable such as elderly family members.
• Smaller outdoor events are still preferable to reduce the spread of the virus.
• Consider issuing tickets to better control crowd size.
• Incorporate fun and creative ways to celebrate and support safety such as encouraging graduates to design or decorate their masks without restricting airflow.
• A system for distributing diplomas, certificates or other materials must include best practices of six feet of social distancing, proper hand washing/sanitizing hygiene protocols and best practices to preserve public health.

 
Please self-monitor with the following questions prior to attending any graduation ceremony. 

If you have had any of these symptoms in the 24 hours prior to the event or are feeling ill at the time of the event, you must stay home.

• Felt Feverish
• Fever >100.4
• Chills
• Cough
• Short of Breath
• Trouble Breathing
• Body Aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
  
  

Additionally, within the past 14 days  

• Close contact with lab and COVID-19
• Domestic Travel

 
Please help us keep everyone safe by self-monitoring your own symptoms and following the safety precautions. 
 
It pulls at your heart not to let more people attend, but having the event at all is of concern for the spread of the coronavirus.  We hope our community understands the dilemma of taking the chance to hold a large capacity event.  Decisions are not easy in these times.  The larger the crowd, the higher the risk factors.  The smaller the crowd, the lower the risk factors.  Making a choice for the safety of our students and community should be viewed as the right choice.  We value everyone’s understanding.