The Hazelwood School District’s Class of 2020 has been robbed of the opportunity to graduate traditionally. Even worse—they’ve been robbed of a voice in the decision of whether or not any real ceremony takes place. No opinions of parents or students seemed to have held any bearing on the school board’s May 5th decision to hold “Virtual” graduation ceremonies instead of rescheduled ones. While many other local districts will follow social distancing guidelines and safely hold their graduation ceremonies in the parking lot of Hazelwood’s POWERplex, (formerly Mills Mall) HSD has decided not to travel the extra mile (literally one mile—it’s down the street from Hazelwood West Middle School!) and have students attend a graduation ceremony in their own hometown. Together we can show the Hazelwood Board of Education how hollow a virtual graduation really feels, and how much our students deserve to walk across a stage alongside their peers.

Share this with anyone who might care! The voices of HSD families must be heard if we are to make a change.