Our Granville High School students have made the most out of a
unique situation this spring in the midst of a global pandemic and online
learning. This is especially true for our seniors as they saw traditional
spring events and celebrations being cancelled, postponed, or modified. We
understand the disappointment for our seniors and their families. In recent
weeks, both GHS staff and senior parents have been creative in developing new
ways to celebrate our seniors, including seniors signs and adopt a senior.
These creative efforts will continue through the end of the month.
Last month, we asked our seniors and a group of senior parents
for their thoughts and opinions regarding graduation. The seniors expressed
their desire for an in-person graduation experience with their classmates,
and parents shared the same as well as an opportunity to see their student
"walk across the graduation stage." The graduation plans detailed
below have taken these wishes into consideration to the greatest extent that
we are able given the large group gathering and social distancing orders.
Last week, Governor DeWine addressed graduation ceremonies
that are set to be held across the state of Ohio in the coming weeks.
Following his comments, additional guidance was released in a joint effort
between the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Ohio Department of
Education (ODE). That guidance can be found here on the ODE website. The ODH order prohibiting
gatherings of more than 10 people can be found here. As a school district, we have reviewed this
information to best understand the options presented for a graduation
ceremony. Additionally, we have consulted with local health department and
law enforcement leadership. We have determined that a virtual
graduation ceremony remains the safest option for our students,
staff, and community.
Our plans for the 2020 Granville High School Graduation
Ceremony are as follows:
- We
are working with a video production company to develop a virtual ceremony
that combines elements from Senior Awards Night and our traditional
graduation ceremony. We will post a link that families can use to view the
virtual ceremony, and we are encouraging all GHS seniors and their families
to watch the ceremony on May 24 at 2 PM.
- Following
the conclusion of the virtual ceremony on May 24, GHS staff members will
personally deliver diplomas (and other year-end awards) to each and every
graduating senior. In the case of split-family situations, the diploma will
be delivered to the Granville residential address.
- Families
wishing to watch their graduate walk across our theater stage will have the
opportunity to do so by appointment May 26-28. The graduate and a maximum of
4 family members may attend. This opportunity is optional for families out of
respect for those who do not care to participate. Large-group and social
distancing guidelines will be adhered to during these appointments.
- We
will work with Senior Class Officers to organize a gathering of the class of
2020. We cannot project a timeline for this gathering due to the changing
nature of the pandemic, but we are firmly committed to it.
Please see below for additional information for senior
families:
- May
15 will be the final academic day for seniors. Seniors with all work
completed by this date will officially be done with high school.
- Our
Balfour representative has communicated that caps and gowns will be delivered
to him on May 15. The following week, we will arrange pick-up windows during
which seniors should also return their Chromebooks and other course
materials.
- Please
remind your seniors to complete the Senior Survey posted in their English
course in Schoology. The school counselors need this
information. Additionally, we are unable to complete the senior
slideshow for the virtual graduation ceremony without this information.
I am deeply regretful that a traditional commencement ceremony
is not possible for our seniors. They are a deserving group of students. As a
school, we have been fortunate to work with them for the last four years, and
they will always have place to come back to at GHS!
Matt Durst
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 740.587.8153
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