My name is Jennifer Cartagena and I am a senior at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute. A couple of weeks ago the seniors at Lynn Public Schools were informed that we will be having cyber graduation. As the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many people I know, I completely understand that this is an effort and precaution to keep all of us students safe. I wrote a letter to LPS Superintendent: Patrick A. Tutwiler, PhD. In this letter, I discussed our feelings, graduation alternatives, and why cyber graduation is not the best option. While other districts have adopted different methods of graduation, LPS seems to have taken the easy route. 

He kindly got back to me and said, “I have always believed in making decisions based on feedback. Out of respect for you and the time you took to write. I will investigate the possibility of what you propose. I will get back to you within a week.”

My proposal was to have a stage where students are able to cross in a safe way. Students will be given a specific date and time to attend their graduation individually and share the moment with their families. Although a couple of students might decide not to attend, the overall class of 2020 wants to have the option.

Many of us feel discouraged and as if we are unable to make changes. Even if the district decides against my proposal, I want to make sure that at least we all came together and tried to make a change. Thank you so much for reading this and I am proud of all of you. Congratulations Class of 2020!

My Proposal In Detail:

• There will be a decorated stage outside where students will be able to cross.
• EACH student will be given a specific time and date to cross the stage; they will NOT all be there at the same time. 
• Once a student is recognized, they along with their immediate families will be required to leave.
• The graduations will be playing out over the course of multiple days.
  No student will be required to attend.
• The students will only be allowed to bring their immediate families, share this moment with them, and take pictures.
• They will be required to use a mask as a precaution. However, they will NOT have contact with anybody other than their families.
  It will be a "drive up graduation".
• There will NOT be any person-to-person contact or handing of diplomas or other items. Students will be given their cap and gowns along with their diplomas ahead of time... The same way they will be given these items for the alternative option, cyber graduation.

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The petition and its signatures will be sent to LPS superintendent Patrick A. Tutwiler on May 11, 2020 at 7am Eastern Time.