Blackwell High sets graduation and prom for June

Officials with the Blackwell Public Schools District have rescheduled graduation and prom, which were put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic that began in March. 
Blackwell High School Principal Shawn Haskins announced Monday afternoon that the Class of 2020's graduation will be held in the BHS Auditorium June 6 at 1 p.m.

Prom will take place June 13. More details will be released in the future.
“We've been in contact with the State Department [of Education], and the state superintendent has informed us that as long as Oklahoma is showing positive improvement – if we're progressing – we will be allowed to hold graduation and prom in June, following the end of the governor's phases to reopen the State of Oklahoma,” Haskins said.
In accordance with advice from the State Department of Education, Haskins said that elderly people and those with health problems should still be cautious about attending public events.


“We had talks about holding graduation on the football field, but I think ultimately that wouldn't be fair,” he said.

“We don't want to treat the Class of 2020 any differently. We want them to have that experience of walking across the stage with their peers in the auditorium, being in front of their friends and family.”


Haskins, who will become the district's superintendent in July, said the school district remained relatively silent on the issues of graduation and prom because there were too many unknown variables.


“We didn't want to put anything out into the public until we felt we were in a safe position to do so,” Haskins said. “It's been stressful for a lot of us, and especially on the kids. This is about closure for them. It's about letting them experience these two landmark events in their senior year.” 


Haskins said that, while it has been tough, it has been relieving to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“We have 68 seniors planning to walk across that stage, and we will be reaching out to them to make sure they can come into the building to receive their graduation tickets on May 15 and 18,” he said.


Graduation will be held on Saturday, June 6th, at 1:00 PM, in the auditorium. All seniors will need to be at graduation practice at 10:00 AM, on Friday June 5th, in the auditorium. Graduation tickets will be available for pick up in the office on May 15th and 18th from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Prom will be held on Saturday, June the 13th. Students will need to assemble in the choir and band room at 6:00 PM. The Grand March will start at 6:30 PM, and the Prom will be from 7:00 - 10:00 PM. Students wishing to bring an outside guest will need to pick up a form in the office or request one by email (​shaskins@blackwell.k12.ok.us​). Forms are due in the office by June 9th.

After-prom is currently scheduled to take place at the county fairgrounds on Main Street.

Check out at BHS is set to begin Friday, May 15th, and on Monday, May 18th.

On the 15th, seniors will check out from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM, and juniors will check out from 1:00 -3:00 PM. On the 18th, sophomores will check out from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM, and freshmen will check out from 1:00-3:00 PM. All students must stay six feet apart while in the building, as social distancing rules still apply.

All of these above plans are subject to change if the Governor of Oklahoma deems it necessary to once again tighten restrictions on the citizens of Oklahoma.