Fox C-6 School District administrators have learned they can’t hold graduation ceremonies this month at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, after all, so they again are searching for a way to hold commencement celebrations for the outgoing classes of Fox and Seckman high schools.
The district announced last week that it would hold graduation ceremonies for its 833 graduating seniors later this month at the Chaifetz Arena on the St. Louis University campus. However, Fox communication and instructional technology coordinator JP Prezzavento said the city of St. Louis informed the district on June 5 that it would not allow large gatherings until August.
“We are working hard to find a new venue for graduation with the goal of still being able to honor the class of 2020,” Prezzavento said.
As of today (June 8), a new graduation plan had not been determined, he said.
On April 14, the district informed students and parents about three possible plans for graduation after the original date was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fox’s first makeup scenario had graduation taking place at Chaifetz Arena on Sunday, June 21, with Fox’s ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m. and Seckman’s at 3 p.m.
A second plan had the district holding ceremonies at the high schools’ athletic stadiums with Fox’s ceremony happening Saturday, July 25, and Seckman’s ceremony Sunday, July 26.
A third plan was for the district to hold a virtual graduation for Fox seniors on July 25 and Seckman seniors on July 26.
While the district is still searching for a way to hold graduation ceremonies, it did cancel this year’s prom and the traditional lock-in events that follow graduation, Prezzavento said.
“Unfortunately, we will be unable to hold prom this year,” Prezzavento said.
The district and community have found other ways to help honor the outgoing senior class before graduation plans were finalized.
Kristen Katz, a mother of a Seckman senior, spearheaded an effort to raise money to get yard signs and shirts for the 426 seniors at Seckman, and 410 at Fox. She raised $11,248 through a Facebook fundraiser page called “Fox & Seckman Senior Sign” to buy the signs and shirts from Arnold Printing and Graphics.
The signs and shirts were delivered in April.
Katz, who lives in unincorporated Arnold, said she only needed to raise $7,400 for the shirts and signs, and the remainder of the funds will be split between Seckman and Fox, and the seniors will decide how the money should be used.
