***Even if this does not effect you please take a moment to read and sign if you will*** Remember this is for hope and positive outcomes***

High school is a magical wondrous time for our youth. Every year is an important year but senior year is a milestone that can't be replaced. These students work so hard through Elementary, Jr High, and High School, every year leading up to their biggest year of their young academic lives.Senior year. Senior year comes with so many opportunities to make memories, the chance to build and form lifelong relationships, moments that build their character for the rest of their lives. Senior trips, senior skip day, senior awards day/night, senior prom and of course senior graduation. All of these events among many others are well deserved, earned and have still been taken form these students. Its not fair. Coronavirus/COVID-19 has stolen these moments from these students. This pandemic has taken so much form all of us already but there are things that shouldn't be taken and do not need to be.

While I absolutely agree with the measures that have been taken to try and reduce the spread of this virus and I appreciate the efforts of all of those involved on the front lines and those having to make the hard decisions for the safety and well being of all of us I don't agree with our seniors losing out. So here is where I think we can make an effort to allow for these students to still have at least a few pieces of their senior year left. 

School has been canceled for the remainder of the year. But what about the two most important events that most of these seniors where looking forward to?  Senior Prom and their monumental High School graduation. There is no reason to cancel these events or plan for virtual graduations (no one wants either of these options), instead I'm requesting that these events merely be postponed. Give these students who are still working diligently at their online classes something to look forward to. A light at the end of the tunnel. Give them HOPE in all of this gloom. Even if these dates aren't able to be scheduled until June, July or even August. Post pone these events, do not cancel them. Allow for families to plan ahead and prepare for these changes in dates now. Even a tentative plan is better than no plan. And cancellation shouldn't even be considered an option. Sign this petition to stand with our Class of 2020 seniors and say no to cancellation of two of their biggest senior events. We are only asking for what they have already earned, even it doesn't come as scheduled, just as long as it does come. Thank you!

Edited to add- I didn't think this would need to be said but apparently it does. By requesting that senior graduation and prom not be canceled and postponed/rescheduled to a later date means to a later date that is deemed safe for all to gather again. That is is safe for the health and well being of all who would be involved. I understand that some people may not be available at a later date and while that is very unfortunate there are many others that would still like the opportunity to participate in these events. The information that I was given from my school simply stated that with school canceled the remaining school events where canceled as well. It included that they were looking into options for graduation including a virtual event. This petition is merely to urge them to opt for waiting and rescheduling. Most students will celebrate on their own and some may not have ever with to participate in either of these events but for the ones that do want to and that feel safe doing so should be given the opportunity.  After looking into several other districts across the U.S. and finding this is the action (postponing) they are taking I think its fair to ask that we do the same. Whether or not this works at least we can say we tried. There is NO reason that any negativity should be related to this.