KILLEEN, TX — Killeen ISD announced they are going forward with their virtual graduation plan after the governor's announcement that stores will remain close.
They said they are working to ensure all graduating seniors receive a cap and gown for free.
They released the following email:
As we prepare to conclude the fifth week of continued learning at home, we would like to express our appreciation for your flexibility and support during the COVID-19 closure.
Unfortunately, the challenges associated with returning to classes this semester, while ensuring the health and safety of our entire community remain evident. The circumstances involving the COVID-19 situation have dictated the need for our students and staff to continue using the established online Continued Learning Center (CLC) and mailed Elementary packets through the month of May.
We remain committed to providing all Killeen ISD students the appropriate resources and support through the extent of the COVID-19 closure. We encourage students to continue to engage in daily instructional activities provided by their teachers. We continue to emphasize that student’s grades will not be negatively impacted, as a result of the COVID-19 closure. We do not want to cause undue stress for our students and families during this time.
At this time, we will officially move forward with our virtual graduation plan for our Seniors. The risks associated with assembling upwards of 40,000 students, staff, family and friends across five high school commencement ceremonies, pose significant challenges at this time. As we continue to make decisions with our community’s health and safety at the forefront, we recognize the significance of awarding our Seniors their Killeen ISD high school diploma. In doing so, we remain committed to honoring our students and families in a manner that does not minimize this achievement. While we can never replace a traditional ceremony, the decision was made to provide a cap & gown to every Senior on behalf of the district. Students who have already purchased a cap & gown will receive a reimbursement from Herff Jones by July 1, 2020. The district will be providing further details regarding the virtual graduation logistics in the coming days.
Killeen ISD will continue to provide Grab & Go breakfast and lunch meals to students between 8:30-10:30 a.m. at our designated locations through May 29, 2020, with the exception of the Memorial Day holiday on May 25, 2020. Our Summer feeding schedule will begin on June 1, 2020.
Unfortunately, there are several unknowns associated with concluding the school year remotely. We are working on a plan for students/parents to retrieve belongings, obtain official records, return school items and distribute refunds for certain items purchased prior to the COVID-19 closure.
Please know this decision was not made lightly, but we feel it will allow students the opportunity to continue their studies, while providing the time necessary for the situation to resolve itself. The Killeen Independent School District is already hard at work in developing a safe re-integration plan for all of our campuses in August.
Killeen ISD remains committed to supporting our students, families and staff during our COVID-19 closure and in the months to follow. We will continue to communicate information as it becomes available