(Le Mars) — School officials with Le Mars Community School District are hoping for a second date will work for commencement graduation ceremonies. In a letter addressed to families of graduating seniors, School Superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner says, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to make many difficult decisions regarding the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This, unfortunately, also includes our normally scheduled graduation activities on May 17. This letter is to inform you that the Le Mars Community High School is postponing the 2020 commencement ceremony date to June 14, 2020. At least one week prior to June 14, we will reassess the situation and notify you if the ceremony will proceed based on guidance from Iowa and Plymouth County Public Health Departments. Should we not be able to provide a traditional graduation ceremony on June 14th, the “live” graduation ceremony will be cancelled and we will move to a “virtual” ceremony on the same date, where graduates will have the opportunity to receive their diploma, wearing their caps and gowns, during an individually scheduled time at the school.
Again, this is not how any of us wanted to end the school year. Commencement is one of the greatest days of the year for senior students, their families, and for a proud school district. However, we must implement very safe coronavirus mitigation practices in order to protect students, staff, families, and the community. We will do the best we can with what we are given to provide the seniors with commencement exercises. Dr. Iverson, LCHS Principal will be providing further details regarding commencement. Please stay safe.
In a separate letter addressed to high school families, Dr. Steven Webner, the school’s superintendent indicated the annual prom festivities would be cancelled for this year. Webner writes: “As you may know, Governor Kim Reynolds announced on April 17, 2020 that all Iowa schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Many important events around the state, within the community of Le Mars, and activities at Le Mars Community Schools, are being cancelled in efforts to mitigate the coronavirus. At Le Mars Community Schools, our top priority is making sure our students and community are safe and healthy. As a result, the Le Mars Community High School 2020 Prom has been cancelled. We understand that this will be disappointing to many students and families, and we agree. However, we must take these actions to decrease the impact of the life-threatening coronavirus (COVID-19) within our community. Thank you for your cooperation.
Dr. Steve Webner, Superintendent
Gehlen Catholic has not yet set an alternative date for commencement graduation or for the high school prom.
