2021 HBHS End of Year Activities
2021 Senior Edition
Message from Dr. Griep
Wildcat Families,
We are excited that we will be able to experience face to face activities as we conclude the 2020-2021 school year. I am proud of how our staff, students, and parents have supported each other throughout the school year.
The purpose of this letter is to outline several activities that will be held during the 4th quarter.. We realize that many of the traditional events have been modified to meet the requirements of the Arkansas Department of Health. Nevertheless, we are committed to honoring the Class of 2021.
Cap and Gown Distribution
Cap and Gown will be distributed at school on March 30 and 31 (9:00-11:00). Balfour will work with Har-Ber High School to coordinate the on campus distribution.
Graduation Cords and Stoles
Graduation cords and stoles earned through clubs and organizations (i.e. Medical Honors, NHS, etc.), will be distributed directly by the teacher that oversees that specific club/organization.
Honor Cords will be available for pickup May 10-12 from 8:45-3:30. Students may come to the front lobby, with their ID, to pick up the Honor Cord. Please note: students may not pick up an Honor Cord for a friend. Requirements to be an Honor Graduate are linked below.
Last Day for Seniors
Senior Send Off
Senior Celebration
Due to ADH guidelines, the traditional Senior Celebration will look differently this year. The focus will be to recognize students that have earned a scholarship. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 13 at 9:00.
Beginning the week of March 29, students will be surveyed to determine if they wish to participate in the Senior Celebration. Within the survey, students will identify the scholarship earned and the respective amount (although we don’t read the amounts). Students will be able to sign up to participate in Senior Celebration until April 16. The Senior Celebration survey will also be sent to parents. Please encourage your student to participate.
Due to the need to practice social distancing, we will hold the event in Wildcat Arena. We plan to allocate two tickets to each student for family members. The event will also be live streamed.
If more than 200 students choose to participate in the Senior Celebration, then we will hold a second event at 1:00 on May 13. If a second ceremony is needed, then we will divide the two sessions alphabetically. We will disseminate information once the April 16 window closes.
On April 26-27, tickets will be given out, through Advisory, to seniors that wish to participate. Face coverings are required by all students and guests.
Commencement Exercises
Commencement Exercises honoring the graduating Class of 2021 will be held on May 15 at Bud Walton Arena. Based on directives provided by the University of Arkansas, we will hold three graduation ceremonies. Below is the schedule that we will observe.
May 15 @ 2:00 - Graduates with Last Names (A-F)
May 15 @ 4:30 - Graduates with Last Names (G-N)
May 15 @ 7:00 - Graduates with Last Names (O-Z)
The University of Arkansas has indicated that each graduate will be allocated six (6) tickets. These tickets may be distributed to friends and family. We anticipate distributing the tickets through Advisory, beginning April 26.
Graduation will look differently than in the past. When students arrive, they will be escorted to their assigned seats. After a brief program, students will be called to receive their diploma cover and obtain a photograph. After receiving the diploma cover, the student will exit Bud Walton Arena via the South hallway. Due to directives provided by the University of Arkansas, we will not be able to have a recessional. Families will be able to sit together in areas marked at Bud Walton. Face coverings are required by all graduates and guests.
Diploma Pickup
The University of Arkansas has requested that we not hand out diplomas after the Commencement Exercises. Consequently, we will have diplomas ready for pickup on Tuesday, May 18. We will distribute according to the schedule below. It is important that your student has returned his/her Chromebook and paid all fees/fines. Otherwise, a diploma will not be issued.
Last Name:
A-F - 9:00-10:30
G-M - 10:30-12:00
N-S - 12:30-2:00
T-Z - 2:00-3:30
Prom / Blue Carpet Event
On May 1, Har-Ber High School will hold a Prom/Blue Carpet event on campus. Due to ADH guidelines and the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19, this event will be held on campus and it will be in three different time slots. 225 students will be allowed to sign up for each of the time slots. Time slots will be (4:00-4:45, 5:00-5:45, and 6:00-6:45).
The event will be a semi-formal and it will be free to attend. We will have balloons, backdrops for pictures, and a DJ. Students will park in the South parking lot and enter through the “A Hall.” The area will be clearly marked. After entering the building, students will proceed into the Rotunda. We will have locations for pictures in the Rotunda and within the Courtyard. We will also have prepackaged food and music in the cafeteria.
The event is exclusive to seniors, however they may bring an underclassman (11th or 10th grader) as long as the guest attends Har-Ber High School. IDs must be brought to the event. Face coverings are required.
We realize that the event will look different than a traditional prom. However, we are thankful to be able to offer our students this memorable experience.
Ending the Year Strong
Please encourage your student to work diligently between now and Graduation. We are asking families to follow the learning model that was selected earlier in the year (i.e. M-F, MWF, or TTH). If a student is at risk of not graduating, then the student may begin coming to school M-F immediately. Simply communicate with the House Principal.
Please continue to follow social media and check parent email. We will disseminate information regularly to help parents.
We value the strong partnership between our Wildcat families and our school. We are blessed with tremendous support and it is our goal to help our graduates to complete this important chapter in their lives. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Paul A. Griep
Har-Ber Contact Information
Website: https://har-ber.sdale.org/
Location: 300 Jones Road, Springdale, AR, USA
Phone: 479-750-8777
Facebook: www.facebook.com/harberhighschool/