Coronavirus

B-UHS Stadium to light up for first responders, seniors

BUCKHANNON -- Starting Friday, the Freal "Red" Crites Memorial Stadium at Buckhannon-Upshur High School will be lit up for 20 minutes in a national recognition of first responders and high school seniors.

The time will be from 8:20 to 8:40 p.m. each Friday night through the end of the school year, Superintendent Dr. Sara Stankus said during Tuesday night's Upshur County Board of Education meeting.

"This supports the first responders in our community as well as our Buckhannon-Upshur High School seniors missing their final year," Stankus said. "Their lockers are still full. They left their schools, as all of our students did, thinking they would leave that day as we do any other day.

"With Be the Light Movement sweeping across the country, Buckhannon-Upshur High School is going to join the movement," she said.

On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Justice announced that schools would remain closed through the end of the school year and instruction would continue online due to the COVID-19 virus.

Stankus said that a survey will be distributed to B-UHS seniors Thursday asking them to vote for the top two ideas they like best, or to share their own ideas. All options will be based on approval by the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department, pending weather, and are subject to change.

The first idea is a photo opportunity between May 20 and 22 for those who wish to accept the diploma and move on to the next chapter.

The second idea is a modified face to face graduation at B-UHS where graduates would come to the school in caps and gowns and in groups of five to cross a stage individually when their name was called. The seniors would submit a one-minute vignette of their future plans. Pictures would be taken with the principals without physical contact and a video would be posted at a later date for families to view.

A third option would call for graduation on May 22 outside at B-UHS for graduates with limited family in attendance. The modified face-to-face ceremony would be live streamed and a photographer would be there to take pictures while seniors cross the stage and receive their diploma.

The fourth option is another modified face-to-face ceremony at WVWC for graduates with limited attendance. The photographer would take pictures while seniors cross the stage and receive their diploma. The ceremony would also be live-streamed.

Finally, seniors can select the "mail my diploma" option.

Stankus said Tuesday, "Our senior class officers and student council officers created a video explaining a survey that the graduation leadership team created with options for graduation. We are going to send that out to all of our seniors (Thursday)."

As for closing the buildings for the year, Stankus said the central office will be communicating with the staff and using direction from the state on how to proceed.

"We will be bringing our people back starting Monday and having a plan to clear out the classrooms and prepare our buildings for the upcoming school year," she said.

Board member Kristi Wilkerson asked if there would be a plan for students to get personal items.

Stankus said that would be between building administrators and teachers.

Board member Alan Suder asked about the amount of food left in schools.

Director of child nutrition Cindy Nesselroade said that most everything perishable had been used, but there was some meat left that would be used in the coming weeks.

"We are down to just canned goods," she said. "I know we have some Salisbury steak in the warehouse. I don't think we are going to have any exorbitant amount left by the time we do a few more suppers."

Vice president Katie Loudin referenced the announcement about the schools remaining closed.

"I think there are a lot of disappointed people in our county and across the state about the school closure today," she said. "I'm thinking about everyone. I believe our team is going to do the best work they can for our kids. It's kind of a disappointing day, so I wanted to acknowledge that and say thanks to our Upshur County team for providing leadership during this time."

Board President Dr. Tammy Samples said she saw several disappointed posts from the Class of 2020.

"It's a kick in the teeth to them today, but we are doing everything we can as far as planning and recognizing them," she said.

Suder asked the community to say a prayer during the Be the Light time each Friday for the community and for the seniors.

"It's something that will end up going down in the history books for them and a lot of us," he said. "It's something the country has never witnessed before. I would just ask for prayer."