In-Person Graduation and Prom
Dear Parents and Class of 2020:
I hope that all is well and that you are enjoying a summer break!
I write to deliver some unfortunate news that you are all too used to receiving; we are not going to be able to hold in-person graduation or prom.
Thank you to the 117 people who responded to our survey. Out of those 117 people, only 11 said they wanted to participate in in-person graduation. Prom was more evenly split with 63 people stating they want a prom and 54 people reporting they will not attend.
Last week we met with the team from Stan Hywet Hall to finalize plans for prom. While we were there, Summit County slipped into a Red Level 3, per the Ohio Covid-19 Risk Level Guidelines for the Public As we later confirmed, this mandate would apply to prom. Additionally, virtually all aspects of a traditional prom are impacted by the guidelines banquet halls and caterers are required to follow, creating more of a fancy dinner in facemasks than the traditional prom experience many of you desire to have.
Regardless of this, we still presented our plan to the Summit County Health Department. They informed us that the mass gathering order is in effect indefinitely until the state of emergency is lifted. That limits gatherings to less than 10, so the graduation would be prohibited.
They added, “from an epidemiological perspective, having large groups of young people together before they all go their separate ways to colleges, etc., has the potential to trigger a large outbreak in our community and other communities. Our request as the health district would be to cancel these two events. This is respectfully requested for the safety of the students and others who would have to attend as chaperones.”
That request, along with the strict mandates, and that fact that guidelines may even tighten again before August 4th, has led us to the conclusion that the prom we can provide at this time is not the prom you want to have.
After consultation with both the Summit County health departments about the new red status (Level 3), with large spikes in both counties, as well as with the concern of students leaving for college shortly after the proposed date, it is just not sensible to conduct an event that brings so many together during such an uncertain time. We cannot risk holding an event that could make so many sick.
Under the advice of the Health Department, we are canceling the June 25th in-person graduation and are postponing the August 4th prom date and will work with your class officers, class sponsor, and after-prom committee to put together a one-year reunion next summer.
Your class has done a fantastic job of preparation, and the funds will remain in an account so that we can hold an event at some point when the coast is clear.
You have handled all your disappointments and changes so well and have helped the adults to see your best through the many ways that you have adapted. I cannot express how sorry I am to have to make yet another change, and I thank you for understanding that the only goal is to keep as many safe as possible and not force quarantines and isolations into August.
Blessings as you prepare for a great new beginning in college and know what a special class you are to all of us here at Nordonia!
Casey G. Wright
Source: Nordonia High School Facebook
