Ganado ISD Adds One to COVID Count
The Ganado Independent School District called an emergency school board meeting on Wednesday evening because of a confirmed COVID-19 case within the GISD school district.
New Ganado Superintendent Erin Fasel released a statement that said “the direct and indirect exposure involved our large classroom facilities, support facilities and numerous staff members. Communications with county health officials, state health officials, and legal counsel provided quality guidance on adjusting the district operations and scheduled events.
“In order to reduce district and community exposure to the virus, the district, with exception of a few essential personnel, will be closed for the next 14 days, reopening to staff who do not present any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 on June 10.” With the announcement, Ganado was forced to once again change graduation plans.
The statement continued to say “In addition, the recent Covid confirmation revels the need to adjust the graduation plans. There will be no graduation on May 29. I recognize and believe that graduation is a very important milestone for all high school students. Therefore the district will continue to plan for a future face to face graduation.
Although some parents were upset about having to change plans so close to the planned graduation date, others rolled with the changes.
“The seniors have had to do a lot of things virtually over the last couple of months,” Elizabeth Teague said. Her son, Colton, is an Indian senior this year. “I’m okay waiting for them to be able to have a live graduation.
“Having a live, in-person graduation means a lot because it is such a big milestone. It’s something that everyone who has graduated before them was able to do so it puts them in the same group.”
Some parents have had to tell out-of-town family that plans have changed, but that won’t stop their celebration plans.
“We are a big family and we like to make a scene and we had a lot of people coming in from all over,” Juanita Cortez said.
Juanita’s son Cameron Bates is also a senior awaiting a graduation ceremony. “We already planned on celebrating Friday and we were going to have a get together afterwards. Relatives have had to make adjustments in their work schedules, so we will go ahead with a graduation party when everyone gets here and celebrate graduation. When the actual graduation day comes, if the relatives can make it, they will. For us, this is all about getting family together to celebrate this moment in their life.”
“We are disappointed graduation was moved back, but they made the decision they needed to make,” Teague said.
On Monday morning, GISD made a decision on the new date for graduation ceremonies.
“June 12 is our rescheduled date for graduation,” Fasel said. “It will still be at 7:30 at the stadium. Students are still allowed five guests and they will use the same tickets they got previously.”