Parents of HS class of 2020

[JimMIA]

HS senior has made her choice-UCF!

YAY! Go Knights, Charge On!

UCF is online orientation this summer. I've been impressed with their communication actually.

Yes, their communication is great! We have a parents Zoom session tomorrow, and the parents' orientation will start shortly after May 1, I think.

 

[wallawallakids]

One good sign from Purdue University in Indiana -- they are going to do everything they can to reopen in the Fall.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...0-purdue-university-mitch-daniels/3018469001/
I'm sure many schools are hoping the same way. They are going to take an enormous financial hit that some won't survive if they are not able to re-open.

I just received an email from Gonzaga saying the same thing. That they are working hard to adjust classes and doing everything possible to open in the fall. I wonder if we will start hearing from more schools saying the same now?

 

[Monykalyn]

YAY! Go Knights, Charge On!Yes, their communication is great! We have a parents Zoom session tomorrow, and the parents' orientation will start shortly after May 1, I think.

What is really funny is the school colors are the same as her High School colors-when we visited campus I said something about how she would fit right in LOL.

I just received an email from Gonzaga saying the same thing. That they are working hard to adjust classes and doing everything possible to open in the fall. I wonder if we will start hearing from more schools saying the same now?

I'd think so-it always takes the first brave soul to put that step forward. I'm sure the schools are individually assessing their protocol and what they can do to minimize risk. It's never going to be risk free-and wasn't before this pandemic anyway.

 

[mom2rtk]

Updates-I've been off the Dis (and really all social media) for some time. Needed the mental break.
HS senior has made her choice-UCF! It surprised me a bit as she was leaning towards Minnesota. We were supposed to to campus visits for Arizona state and University of Minnesota over spring break-when all the shut downs happened.
Our school district also decided to hold prom July 18, and graduation August 6 or 7th. They are supposed to be working out a schedule for kids to pick up the gowns, yearbooks, announcements (what a waste of money now) etc. I'm glad they are planning on at least doing some Senior year things to round out their experience.
Good idea! I think I will do the same-and maybe we can drive around and decorate her friends doors too.
UCF is online orientation this summer. I've been impressed with their communication actually. But IMO it is way way way too early to be talking about calling off fall on campus classes.
With more and more studies coming out that the virus has been here weeks longer than previously thought, I'm optimistic about the fall. Mine got admitted to the COMPASS program-she submitted her math test yesterday.

M-I-Z-!
We live in Springfield but neither of my older kids wanted an in state school! Middle kid did visit Mizzou and got accepted but decided on UCF.

Hey neighbor! Well, sort of. We're in the KC metro area. Mizzou made my DD an offer she couldn't refuse! Our son went to Rolla, so it's definitely been nice to have her just 2 hours away.

Congrats to your daughter on making her choice!

That's awesome that her school has decided on a date for some delayed events. It's not even my kid, and it makes me smile just knowing they're trying. It's going to be such a relief for them to get to see their friends again before scattering to the wind.

 

[mom2rtk]

What is really funny is the school colors are the same as her High School colors-when we visited campus I said something about how she would fit right in LOL.
I'd think so-it always takes the first brave soul to put that step forward. I'm sure the schools are individually assessing their protocol and what they can do to minimize risk. It's never going to be risk free-and wasn't before this pandemic anyway.

I'm curious to see what the folks of Columbia think of Mizzou starting classes in the fall. KC and even more so St. Louis have been the more active spots for infection in the state. Both will dump countless kids into Columbia in the fall. Up until now their numbers have been extremely low. So far only 98 cases and 1 death in the county. But the town's economy is heavily tied to the University, so it needs to happen.

 

[JimMIA]

@wallawallakids and @Monykalyn -- are you doing the Zoom meeting this evening? If not I'll try to take notes and report back.

 

[wallawallakids]

@wallawallakids and @Monykalyn -- are you doing the Zoom meeting this evening? If not I'll try to take notes and report back.

We plan on it, yes! DD has a group zoom meeting right before that with her HS principle. Hopefully, she gets off that in time to hop on to the UCF one. Thank you for the offer. I am looking forward to hearing what they they say tonight!

 

[Monykalyn]

@wallawallakids and @Monykalyn -- are you doing the Zoom meeting this evening? If not I'll try to take notes and report back.

yes we tuned in. We were putting new patio furniture together so didn't pay strict attention. I'm appreciative that they took the time to clue parents in.
This kid is my second to go to college so the financial aide, housing etc wasn't as new to us as first time parents

 

[Monykalyn]

That's awesome that her school has decided on a date for some delayed events. It's not even my kid, and it makes me smile just knowing they're trying. It's going to be such a relief for them to get to see their friends again before scattering to the wind.

Awww thank you! It is a nice thing for them to do. I wish all school districts had this possibility.

Mizzou is an awesome school. Congrats to your DD!

 

[JimMIA]

I "attended" our PTSA Zoom meeting last night, and it was a HOOT! But, in the end, we got good answers to three pressing questions that a lot of parents were waiting for.

The HOOT part was that it was the election meeting, and apparently there was a coup underway! So there was literally almost two hours of kindergarten-level bickering over bylaws and difficulties getting into the Zoom session. If it wasn't so stupid, it would have been comical.

Eventually, they decided to proceed with the meeting and the principal made a good announcement -- he is going to hold a delayed Prom, in the school gym (not at the W downtown), and it will be free to Seniors. I don't know if anyone will attend, but it's a nice gesture and at least shows the Seniors that somebody cares about them -- even if I did have to drag him kicking and screaming to that point.

But they're having a "Prom," we're getting full refunds for all canceled events (a total of about $500), and the FINAL transcript deadline is not going to be a problem.

The election was the last item on the agenda, but as soon as I got the answers I needed, I fled the meeting.

 

[wallawallakids]

I "attended" our PTSA Zoom meeting last night, and it was a HOOT! But, in the end, we got good answers to three pressing questions that a lot of parents were waiting for.

The HOOT part was that it was the election meeting, and apparently there was a coup underway! So there was literally almost two hours of kindergarten-level bickering over bylaws and difficulties getting into the Zoom session. If it wasn't so stupid, it would have been comical.

Eventually, they decided to proceed with the meeting and the principal made a good announcement -- he is going to hold a delayed Prom, in the school gym (not at the W downtown), and it will be free to Seniors. I don't know if anyone will attend, but it's a nice gesture and at least shows the Seniors that somebody cares about them -- even if I did have to drag him kicking and screaming to that point.

But they're having a "Prom," we're getting full refunds for all canceled events (a total of about $500), and the FINAL transcript deadline is not going to be a problem.

The election was the last item on the agenda, but as soon as I got the answers I needed, I fled the meeting.

oh my! That is funny. You are a better man then I, I could never last two hours!!

I’m so happy your DD gets a prom! And that they are refining your money!! . Win-win!!

 

[JimMIA]

oh my! That is funny. You are a better man then I, I could never last two hours!!

I’m so happy your DD gets a prom! And that they are refining your money!! . Win-win!!

Oh, I had fun with it! After the first 30 minutes, it just became a challenge to see how stupid it could get.

Nothing else to do, the beer was cold -- good times!

 

[Southernmiss]

May 30th is our graduation date - a week later than originally scheduled!

It will be a ticketed event (4 per student) in our local Coliseum (usual place for graduation here). Social distancing will be a thing for students, guests and even for members of the same family. Class of about 300 students. The venue is usually packed with thousands of attendees.

Speeches will be given, the usual pomp and circumstance as best it can be this year.

Students not choosing to attend can receive their diploma at the high school with 4 guests. They will be videotaped and included in the slide show the night of graduation.

Graduation will be live streamed.

Bad thing is dd has 3 brothers and a sister in law. Her brothers have already begun fighting over who will be our other 2 guests! Lol

 

[wallawallakids]

May 30th is our graduation date - a week later than originally scheduled!

It will be a ticketed event (4 per student) in our local Coliseum (usual place for graduation here). Social distancing will be a thing for students, guests and even for members of the same family. Class of about 300 students. The venue is usually packed with thousands of attendees.

Speeches will be given, the usual pomp and circumstance as best it can be this year.

Students not choosing to attend can receive their diploma at the high school with 4 guests. They will be videotaped and included in the slide show the night of graduation.

Graduation will be live streamed.

Bad thing is dd has 3 brothers and a sister in law. Her brothers have already begun fighting over who will be our other 2 guests! Lol

Wow! I’m really surprised they are doing that. Do you not have many cases where you live? That seems like a lot of people in one area but I’m super happy that your DD gets a graduation. Our school is still discussing options

 

[Southernmiss]

Wow! I’m really surprised they are doing that. Do you not have many cases where you live? That seems like a lot of people in one area but I’m super happy that your DD gets a graduation. Our school is still discussing options

We are not a hot spot. We have had About 160 cases in our county of abt 150,000 people. Hospital in town only has 1 covid patient at this time. Our numbers have plateaued, they say.

Our governor announced today that local casinos are expected to open by Memorial Day with stringent procedures.

I am also surprised though that they are planning a graduation in a venue with up to 1600 people inside and apprehensive about it, too. Daughter has lupus, but she's likely the valedictorian! And wants to walk.

Will consult her doctor before, to get advice. And am making sure she's taking her vitamins, etc.

There are 2 other high schools in our district who are graduating at the same venue same weekend with lots of cleaning and sanitizing between. Each have 250 to 300 students.

We will still wear our masks, bring sanitizer and wipes.

We'll see what dd wants to do about a mask and how things look in the community at that time

 

[JimMIA]

Congratulations to the Valedictorian! You must be very proud!

 

[Southernmiss]

Congratulations to the Valedictorian! You must be very proud!

Thank you!

Not official, yet. But looked likely before the covid cancellations.

Her bff is likely salutatorian! He's been doing spreadsheets for months calculating how he could pull ahead. Lol!

 

[wallawallakids]

We are not a hot spot. We have had About 160 cases in our county of abt 150,000 people. Hospital in town only has 1 covid patient at this time. Our numbers have plateaued, they say.

Our governor announced today that local casinos are expected to open by Memorial Day with stringent procedures.

I am also surprised though that they are planning a graduation in a venue with up to 1600 people inside and apprehensive about it, too. Daughter has lupus, but she's likely the valedictorian! And wants to walk.

Will consult her doctor before, to get advice. And am making sure she's taking her vitamins, etc.

There are 2 other high schools in our district who are graduating at the same venue same weekend with lots of cleaning and sanitizing between. Each have 250 to 300 students.

I get it. I am happy that they are offering options for your kids. I think that is great. It is so hard to know what to do.

And I apologize if my question was out of line. I was just surprised that it was happening so soon but that probably has to do with the fact that our town has the most cases it has ever had right now and is on the rise instead of falling like the rest of our state. So it definitely has skewed my perspective. I hope she is able to walk like she wants to. It is heartbreaking when they work so hard for something and have it not happen. Congratulations to your DD on being Valedictorian as well! Huge accomplishment.

 

[Southernmiss]

I get it. I am happy that they are offering options for your kids. I think that is great. It is so hard to know what to do.

And I apologize if my question was out of line. I was just surprised that it was happening so soon but that probably has to do with the fact that our town has the most cases it has ever had right now and is on the rise instead of falling like the rest of our state. So it definitely has skewed my perspective. I hope she is able to walk like she wants to. It is heartbreaking when they work so hard for something and have it not happen. Congratulations to your DD on being Valedictorian as well! Huge accomplishment.

No offense taken at all. All questions I have and will have until we know how things look the week of graduation.

Keeping my fingers crossed it all works out for all of our kids! Such a tough, memorable time for them.

In fact, when the news broke and my friends called and her friends called, it all overwhelmed her and she said she was anxious. I think suddenly graduation got real instead of everything just being paused and in limbo and something out there that may or may not happen.

She's been in her room talking to friends. I am eager to hear from her about what all she is thinking.

 

[JimMIA]

Her bff is likely salutatorian! He's been doing spreadsheets for months calculating how he could pull ahead. Lol!

The young man has a LOT to learn!