COVID-19 and class of 2020: delayed graduation, canceled finals and grade freezes

Emma Lingo, editor-in-chief| April 10, 2020

The class of 2020 gets rowdy on the first day of school.

Dr. Michael Havener, KHS principal, sent out a letter confirming that school has been canceled for the rest of the year Apil 10. In addition, it was announced graduation will not take place May 9, and the school has reserved June 20 and July 11 as backup dates at Chaifetz Arena. The decision was also made to not have senior finals.

For the class of 2020 only, the option to freeze third quarter grades and not continue with online schooling is available. (With the exception those in any College Credit Courses, LAUNCH, CAPS, and/or South Tech classes in which a student might be enrolled; College Credit Courses, Launch, CAPS, and South Tech classes need to be completed in their entirety) Students can opt-out here by April 15 with permission from their guardian/s, and if they do so their grades on their report cards will match the grades the student had before spring break started March 14.

If a student is failing a class or unsatisfied with their grade they may continue to work up until their last day of school May 6. The administration is encouraging students enrolled in AP classes to stick with the curriculum until the end of the year. Jeffery Townsend, senior class principal, will reach out to families with more information about senior activities and end of the year check-out processes soon.

“We understand what’s at stake for the senior class,” Havener said. “We are trying to preserve everything and if that means we can’t [have events like prom and graduation] now then we’ll [just reschedule those experiences] at a later date. No one should have a senior year end like this.”

Other updates

As of now, prom is still on. Havener said they are unsure of where and when prom will happen, but determined to make sure seniors have one to attend.
Havener said with Gov. Mike Parson (R-MO) calling for e-learning for Missouri schools the rest of the year, it’s likely the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHAA) will call off spring sports shortly.
The new dates and makeup dates for AP exams have been announced along with details of what will be on the exams and how they will be taken.