Dear the Graduating class of 2024, and DSBN community 

I hope this message finds you well. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with the Superintendent and our Principal to talk about the changes to our graduation date. I want to share the key insights from our discussion and notify you of an important upcoming event. I realize this is a lot of information, but I promise it is all relevant to the issue.

Before delving further, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible support we've received. Our petition has gathered over 700 signatures, a testament to the strength and unity of our graduating class.

Operational Challenges - Contrary to past beliefs, operational challenges were the main reason for this shift. One of the central points discussed was the operational challenges faced by our administrative and guidance staff due to the 24-hour turnaround time for diplomas, transcripts, and related tasks. It was emphasized that the principals and guidance department had to stay late working on the final touches the night before graduation, which is a stressful task. I suggested having parent/student volunteers to help with administrative tasks. Unfortunately, due to confidentiality reasons, only administrative staff can be involved in these tasks. If anyone has any alternative ideas, please email me at gillespol@students.dsbn.org 

The Night to Remember - Recognizing the profound impact that this night holds for all of us is crucial. This is a night that will be etched in our memories, one that the Class of 2024 has eagerly anticipated for 12 years—a symbolic celebration we've been looking forward to, especially considering the absence of a Grade 8 graduation. I would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for all the work that goes into making our graduation night a reality. While it is a lot of preparation very late into the night before graduation, I want to stress that this late night of preparation creates a lifetime of cherished memories for us, the graduating class. The value of this experience is immeasurable, and we are truly grateful for the dedication and effort of the administrative and guidance staff.

Possible solutions - It was proposed that we may have the choice of either maintaining the graduation date on June 11 or opting for a ceremony in October 2024 (After the summer). This is only hypothetical, however, it was something the superintendent brought up. She said if a lot of students became on board, we could hold the ceremony in October, which would allow us to receive our diplomas and medals. 

Challenges of the First Week of July -  During the discussion, the possibility of having the ceremony in the first week of July was also explored (Giving administration more time to finalize details). However, this was found to be unfeasible due to teacher union and contract conflicts. These challenges would limit the attendance of staff, impacting the quality of the ceremony.

Board Meeting Notice - On Tuesday, December 5, Tuesday, another student and I will be bringing forward our collective concerns about the proposed changes to the graduation date. If this meeting is open to the public, your attendance and support would be highly valued. Once confirmed, I will post an update if the public is allowed to sit in

We have THREE options;

1. Accept the June 11th date, and work with the DSBN to make it resemble the past graduation ceremonies to the best of their abilities

2. Advocate for an October graduation ceremony, giving us the ability to come back to Eden for the ceremony, which gives us the chance to receive our medals, but brings up other concerns about students away at post-secondary

3. Continue pushing the DSBN to revert back to the past graduation date. This means staying firm on our decision that we want a normal graduation ceremony. Parents and students please continue sharing this petition/filling out your thoughts on this form: https://forms.gle/rfYLRBA2ZT6fNd4H. Call our superintedent, principals, and higher DSBN members to share your opinions. These may seem like small steps, but they really help amplify our voices.

Your input is crucial as we navigate through this process. Please share your thoughts, concerns, and alternative suggestions. Let's work together to advocate for a solution that truly resonates with the spirit of our graduating class.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. Although I left the meeting feeling discouraged, your collective strength gives me hope that we can make our voices heard.