Tony Sanders Weekly message- Graduation Issue May 1, 2020
Weekly message - Graduation Issue - May 1, 2020
On Wednesday, I sent home a message saying our rescheduled high school graduation ceremony in July was canceled based on the below guidance from the State Board of Education that we received on April 29:
“Can districts hold in-person graduation ceremonies? (Updated 4/29/2020) In-person graduation ceremonies are not allowed at this time. A drive-through graduation/recognition ceremony or events where students come in small groups to the school or another location for a photo or to walk across the stage are in person and therefore not allowed. The Governor’s extended stay at home order prohibits group gatherings. While there may be a time when large events can be held, it is not known when that will be safe. Districts should find other ways to honor 8th grade students and seniors through virtual ceremonies and celebrations.”
This point was strongly reiterated in a weekly message from State Superintendent Ayala on April 30. Those two messages led me to my announcement this week.
Trust me, I do understand. I know so many high school seniors and their families. I did not make the decision lightly, rather based upon the guidance we received.
Today, State Superintendent Ayala backtracked a bit. In a recently released email she wrote: “We have received your feedback. ISBE is acting quickly to develop updated recommendations for graduation ceremonies in consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health to align with the new disaster proclamation and updated stay-at-home order that the Governor enacted yesterday.”
I do not want to give you false hope. We will continue to work to provide a meaningful virtual graduation. We will continue to place signs in yards. We will always be looking for ways to recognize our graduating class.
When we receive the additional guidance from the State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health, I assure you we will review it quickly to determine if we can make adjustments to our plans. Given the fact that we have a large graduating class of over 2,600 seniors across our five comprehensive high schools, and have an audience that always exceeds 25,000 on graduation day, the updated guidance from ISBE (whenever it is received) will still hamper our ability to hold an in-person graduation ceremony in the same manner as the past.
In the meantime, remember that this is not the fault of any one person. It is easy to place blame. Let us blame the virus… not our elected officials, state leaders, or local leaders. Everyone is doing their best to stop the spread of our common enemy, COVID-19.
All my best,
Tony