The Gasconade County R-2 School District rescinded its eight-guest limit per senior on June 15 as expectations of relaxed public health guidelines for COVID-19 were announced by Gov. Mike Parson.

Owensville High School Principal Kris Altemeyer sent out a letter to seniors, parents, staff and the community at 11 a.m. on Monday.

“As you may know, starting June 16, many statewide public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 are being relaxed,” Altemeyer said.

Parson said Thursday during his announcement about the relaxed guidelines “it is still extremely important for everyone to continue social distancing. Be proactive. Avoid large, congested crowds, and if you can’t social distance, take extra precautions to protect yourself and those around you.”

Altemeyer said in light of the announcement, the district is longer limiting family and friends at the graduation ceremony on June 28.

“For the safety of everyone at the event, however, we are still asking those who attend practice social distancing from non-family members and follow all previously established guidelines for the ceremony,” he said.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Garner also emphasized that the only change to graduation is that they are not limiting the number of those in attendance. They will still be taking the same precautions that were announced previously, including:

• Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs to set up on the field and surrounding areas. Members of the same family will be allowed to sit together. Guests are asked to keep at least six feet apart from other non-family guests while seated and at all other times while on campus.

• The stadium bleachers will be available for seating, however, every other row will be blocked off to ensure proper social distancing.

• All gates surrounding Dutchmen Field will open at 4 p.m. on the day of the ceremony. R-2 officials ask that you enter the gate closest to where you park to prevent crowding at any single gate.

• With the exception of the graduates, district staff, and handicapped seating, there will be no reserved seating for the ceremony. No one will be allowed to set chairs or reserve bleacher seats before the gates open.

• The stadium restrooms will be open, and custodial staff will be on hand to frequently clean and disinfect these areas.

• Only graduates will be allowed to enter the high school building. Parents, family members, and other guests will not be allowed in the building at any time.

• At the conclusion of the ceremony, all guests should leave campus in a timely manner. R-2 officials ask that post-graduation pictures and congregating be done off-campus to help ensure the safety of all guests at the ceremony.

In the event of inclement weather on June 28, the graduation ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 29.

No changes regarding the cancellation of prom have been made.