Pecatonica graduation set for Sunday, July 19

By Christopher Johnson

REPORTER

Elder student members of the Pecatonica School District get their chances to be recognized Sunday, July 19, starting at 2 p.m. at the high school football practice field.

Graduation will be held on the grounds of Pecatonica High School. Weather permitting.

Class of 2020 Members were supposed to have already received their graduation papers on Sunday, May 17.

Diplomas for successful completion of the required twelve-year sentences should have already been given to each qualified student nearly two months ago. However, Commencement was forced to be postponed.

Life interfered. COVID-19 caused businesses, communities and schools to cease operations as usual.

On Tuesday, March 17, an Executive Order issued by Governor JB Pritzker, in an effort to stop the spread of the life-taking disease, ended up costing 2020 Seniors their moment on center stage.

In-class learning took away brief meetings with friends between classes for those same seniors. Google Chromebooks were utilized to keep students on target.

According to Pecatonica High School Principal Todd France, unless weather interferes, a graduation ceremony will take place this Sunday, and the community is invited to the outdoor affair.

Student rehearsal is scheduled for Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m.. Those seniors who wish to be a part of the event are encouraged to attend, with a mask.

The rules of participation for Pecatonica High School Graduation 2020 will involve protection, as it is understood.

Face covering has been a consideration and request in other area, larger community get-togethers.

The form of the event and how students will line up will be presented to students during rehearsal.

Seniors will be asked to help their participating family understand how best to participate during this Sunday’s Graduation Ceremony.

For specific and more up-to-date details, District residents or those interested can log on to the pecschools.com website.

Even as the book is being closed on the 2020 campaign, District 321 Board Members and Superintendent Bill Faller are already looking forward to classes starting up in mid-to-late August, as usual, unless something changes.

Because of the uncertainty of whether or not COVID-19’s influence will extend into another education cycle in late August, it is not possible to assure that a lot of changes won’t be in place still.

A complete confirmation of whether or not digital learning will continue to see primary focus, or if classes will appear a little smaller in participation numbers, is yet to be understood.

In an attempt to keep focus on regular openings in place, meeting times have still been allocated for certain District support groups.

On Monday, Aug. 3, the Pecatonica Schools Music Boosters are scheduled to meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in the high school Band Room.

Fans Club Meeting time has been opened for Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. in the High School Commons room, according to the District 321 online portal.