Holmes District Schools Announce Revised 2020 Graduation Plans

On Friday, May 8th, Holmes District Schools announced graduation plans for the Class of 2020. From the beginning, Holmes District Schools has been committed to honoring our 2020 seniors with traditional graduation ceremonies if at all possible, while still adhering to the guidelines set forth by the CDC. In the previous announcement, Holmes District Schools Superintendent Terry Mears stated that these plans were fluid and subject to change. In the past week we have continually engaged with our community task force in an attempt to improve the graduation experience for the Class of 2020.

At this time, based upon new data and further coordination with our community task force, the Florida Department of Education, and the Department of Health, the graduation plans for the Class of 2020 are updated as follows:

Holmes County High School will have a ceremony with all students present, with each student being able to invite four guests. The ceremony will be at Memorial Field in Bonifay on June 4th at 7:30 p.m.

In addition, Ponce de Leon High School, Bethlehem High School, and Poplar Springs High School are planning to host a graduation ceremony at their campus or a community location that meets updated CDC guidelines. The dates for these schools will be as follows:

Poplar Springs High School: June 1st
Bethlehem High School: June 2nd
Ponce de Leon High School: June 5th

Specific details will be forthcoming from the individual schools.

Please know that these plans are fluid and subject to change. We are hopeful that over the next few weeks, restrictions will be lifted further, and we will be able to allow more family and friends to join us in honoring our graduates. Any changes will be posted on our mobile app and social media accounts. We appreciate your patience as we work to implement these plans in these trying times. We are thankful for a community that pulls together as a family to make these celebrations unique and memorable for our Class of 2020 graduates!

God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America!

Terry L. Mears, Superintendent