UCHS Administrators Announce Plans For May 16 Graduation

By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director

Union City, Tenn.–Turns out, graduation at Union City High School will go off as planned.

Commencement ceremonies for the UCHS Class of 2020 will be held as originally scheduled — Saturday, May 16, at 8 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.

Principal Jacob Cross — with the blessing of Director of Schools Wes Kennedy and the Union City School Board — made the call today.

The decision coincided with Monday’s announcement by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Monday that he would allow the COVID-19 inspired “Stay at home” order to expire April 30. The state will begin a phased “reopening” on May 1, according to Lee’s plan.

Cross said the graduation event will be modified some, with social distancing guidelines that are expected to remain in place across the state.

Each of the 91 graduates will receive six tickets for family members. Families will be seated in assigned seats on the football field with distancing regulations in place. A diagram of the seating arrangements for families and graduates will be sent to each student via email in the coming days.

Cross also announced a tentative date of June 20 for prom. Further details for the event will be released in the coming weeks, according to the Union City High School lead administrator.

Seniors were emailed a letter regarding senior activities on Monday.

Awards Day has been canceled, but the Top 10, valedictorian, salutatorian and local scholarship winners will be announced via the school’s website and other social media May 8.

The giveaway of a car donated by City Auto Plex for perfect attendance will also be announced in the coming days.

Particulars for “Closing down” Union City Schools for the abbreviated 2019-20 school year are also being made by Cross and his fellow administrators, David Byars (UC Elementary) and Lance Morgan (Union City Middle School).

They are as follows:

UCHS

• All textbooks and other school property, such as uniforms or library books, need to be returned to the lobby of the high school between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Thursday. There will be tables set up in the lobby for students to drop off those items. Students must have their name on their stack. Post-it notes will be available for labeling.  All other outstanding fees (i.e., band fees) must be paid. This must be taken care of by May 1.

• Senior information sheets need to be submitted and guidance counselor Susan Searcy must be informed of where to send each senior’s final transcript.

• Updates regarding graduation, cap and gown pick-up, tickets and other information will be emailed to each student.

• Credit recovery will be held July 13-24.

UCMS

• All school property, such as uniforms, textbooks and/or library books need to be returned to the cafeteria between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. There will be tables set up in the cafeteria for students to drop off those items. Students must have their name on their stack. Tables will be labeled for each grade level. Post-it notes will be available for labeling. Students may also get any personal items from their lockers during these times. This must be taken care of by May 1.
• Report cards will be put in the mail by Friday.

• Credit recovery will be held July 13-24.

UCES

• Parents are asked to pick up student materials or return school property from 8-11 a.m. this Friday. That process will be based on students’ daily drop-off/pick-up station.

• Pre-K parents will pick up/drop off in the UCES bus circle.

• Kindergarten-2^nd Grade parents will pick up/drop off at the K-2^nd grade car line drop-off location.

• Grades 3-4 will pick up/drop off at the 3^rd-4^th grade car line drop-off location.

• After Friday, any/all pick-ups and drop-offs will need to take place after June 1 in the UCES front office.

• Each student will be given a book from the Book Fair along with their report card.

• The dates for Camp ROCK will be July 13-24.