South Lancaster News

Conestoga Valley School District issued the following announcement.

Dear Families and Friends of the Class of 2020,

First and foremost, thank you!  Thank you for raising such outstanding young women and men.  Throughout this entire pandemic, their collective positive attitude, constant communication, supportive actions, and focus on what’s truly important are what makes them, as my grandfather used to say, “good people.”

We all understand the gravity of the pandemic (close to 1300 confirmed cases, and almost 90 deaths in Lancaster County alone).  As such, we continue to do everything we can to keep our students, families, faculty and staff safe.  Stay at home orders, school closings, and social distancing guidelines have wreaked havoc on our seniors’ last year, but have helped to keep many in our community healthy. 

I understand the sense of shock, loss, and frustration that the pandemic has caused in the lives of each of our seniors.  This was to be a celebratory year, to acknowledge thirteen years of accomplishments, the year to be excited about their futures.  Our goal is to create opportunities to re-establish that sense of accomplishment, pride and excitement.

As such, I have been working with HS Principal Mike Thornton, Class Advisor Mrs. Stauffer, Commencement Advisor Mr. Brubaker, the class officers of this amazing Class of 2020, as well as with other senior leaders in the class.  Our goals are two-fold:

1. Try and maintain as many traditions as possible
2. Create a memorable celebration of the Class of 2020

We believe we have done our best to do just that!

TRY AND MAINTAIN AS MANY TRADITIONS AS POSSIBLE

• Depending on the safeguards in place, in the highly unlikely event that large groups can gather, we still have Calvary Church reserved for May 29.
• If not, traditions that we have been able to re-imagine:
  • Speeches by Mr. Thornton (CVHS Principal), Simonne Legette (President, Class of 2020), two selected senior class speakers, me, and Mr. Todd Shertzer (President, CVSD Board of School Directors), award of Rill Medal of Honor winners, and acknowledgement of class valedictorian and salutatorian, our students going into the military, and our top 10% will be videotaped/added for review. Additionally, we are creating a virtual loop of names and pictures of the students of the graduating class to follow the speeches.
  • Printed programs will be created and distributed to the members of the graduating class.
  • Faculty and staff applauding the graduates as they process through the back of the church
    • Given the social distancing constraints, we will have the students process in their cars, parade style, throughout the CV campus. This “Buckskin Farewell” will allow our faculty and staff from all six buildings to celebrate the seniors as they process to receive their diploma.
  • Receiving the diploma from the Superintendent and Board President
    • Students will process through the campus to a designated point where Mr. Shertzer and I will hand the diplomas to the graduates in their cars (maintaining all health guidelines in place).
  • The purpose of handing out the diploma on May 29 and not later in the summer is the need to “wrap up” the academic requirements for the Class of 2020. Students need to “graduate” in order to receive final transcripts, begin their post-secondary educational endeavors, military service, and/or job placements. 

CREATE A MEMORABLE CELEBRATION OF THE CLASS OF 2020

• The planning process for the “Senior Slam” is underway. Our student leaders are instrumental in working with the high school leadership team in planning the details of this event.  Below are some of the tentative plans:
  • Date: During the weekend of July 24, 2020
  • Location: In stadium or on surrounding fields
  • Invites: Friends and families of graduates, CVSD faculty and staff
  • Include opportunity to walk across a stage, receiving the diploma
  • Photo ops throughout the event
  • Food, festival type atmosphere
  • Yard games
  • Music
  • “Sunset” opportunity for the Class of 2020 to gather on the bleachers to watch the sunset
• The excitement and pride of ownership by the students is impressive. It is very early in the planning process, and there is still a lot of work to be done, but the goal is to not just replicate the excitement of a traditional graduation, but truly celebrate each and every graduate of the Class of 2020!

Again, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your patience, grace, flexibility and understanding as we continue to navigate these unchartered waters.  The health and safety of our students and staff have always been our top priority, and we will maintain that focus as we move forward celebrating the “good people” of the Class of 2020! 

Original source can be found here.