***Update***

5/8/2020: The administration has decided to continue with the current graduation program. Thank you for your support.

We as parents, family, friends, and students, have asked the King’s Ridge Class of 2020 to stand strong for what they believe in, to be their best, to never settle for less, and, above all else, honor God. The King's Ridge Class of 2020 excelled in these expectations and standards. These young men and women, our loved ones, deserve more than the graduation currently being proposed. The King’s Ridge Class of 2020 deserves to be honored in a ceremony worthy of their achievements.

We, the undersigned, are proposing the King's Ridge Class of 2020 graduation ceremony be postponed to July 31st. If King’s Ridge can sponsor a party on the football field on July 31st, a graduation doesn’t seem impossible and should take place prior to the already scheduled party. We understand that not all students, administrators, and loved ones will be able to attend.

Most of the private schools in the area, as well as the larger public schools, including the largest school district in Georgia rescheduled their graduation ceremonies. Many schools conducted surveys to see what the students and parents wanted (Atlanta Public Schools, for one). If these schools can reschedule graduation, so can King’s Ridge. Our children deserve the opportunity to walk across a stage as Pomp and Circumstance plays.

Private schools:

• Pinecrest Academy: TBD in summer
• Mt Pisgah Christian: July 20
• The Walker School: TBD in summer
• Woodward Academy: July 25
• Mt Bethel Christian: July 30
• North Cobb Christian: July 10
• St Francis Academy: July 25
• Mt Vernon School: July 31
• Blessed Trinity: July 11
• Holy Innocents: July 25 (or later, if needed)
• Savannah Calvary Day: June 21
• Greater Atlanta Christian: July 31
• North Cobb Christian: July 10
• The Kings Academy: Aug 1
• The Cottage School: July 31
• Eagles Landing Christian: June 5
• Bulloch Academy: July 14

Public schools:

• Forsyth County: July 30/31
• Cherokee County: July 23/24/25
• Dunwoody High School: week of 6/22
• Gwinnett County Schools: week of July 13
• Archer High School (Lawrenceville): Aug 1
• Columbus High School: July 25
• Habersham County: July 31
• Henry County Schools: June 22/23/24/25
• Catoosa County: July 30/31
• Paulding County: June 20
• Athens-Clarke County: July 24
• Gordon County: June 27
• Clayton County: June 25-27
• Effingham County: summer
• Greenbrier HS (Evans): July 24
• Fayette County: Aug 1
• Columbus HS: July 25
• Columbia County: July 24/25
• Coweta County: last week in July
• Dawson County: July 29
• Brantley County: July 17
• Richmond County: late July
• Rome HS: TBD in summer
• Atlanta Public Schools: late July
• Bartow County: June 25
• Camden County: June or July
• Milton/Cambridge/Centennial/Chattahoochee/Northview/Roswell: delayed until July (planned in coordination with principal and PTO, paid for by parents)

Possible Options to Meet Safety Concerns Include:

Where? Outdoors – KRCS football field

• Field to marked off with the graduating seniors seated and distanced; admin and staff seated together and distanced; attendees are assigned a blocked set of 5 seats on the field

When?

• July 31st

Who?

• Students: Every graduating Senior
• Up to 5 Guests - Family/Guardians/Caregivers only
• Teachers, faculty, Administration, Board Members

How?

• All attendees will be provided with hand sanitizer at the entry gates
• All entry points and seating for attendees and graduates will be arranged for appropriate and required social distancing in all directions.
• Police presence to help orderly entrance/exit
• Zoom the ceremony for family members and staff/ admin not in attendance
• Create online registration whereby all parents and graduates agree to maintain social distancing through the entirety of the event. Those graduates who do not register and agree to the rules, will not be allowed to participate
• All rehearsals to be done virtually, in advance. No on-site rehearsal.

By singing this petition, we show that we love King's Ridge and only want the best for the graduating class of 2020.