Deer Park Seniors & Families:
With the recent announcement from Governor DeWine, we now, unfortunately, have to proceed knowing that so many of the great traditions that seniors typically enjoy are simply going to have to look different this year. Earlier this week, I sent a “Letter to Deer Park Seniors” to our senior class through their Schoology page. If you have not had a chance to read this and would like to, here is a link to that letter. Overall, we want our seniors and their families to know that we love our seniors, we miss our seniors, and we are working with and for seniors in these unprecedented times.
Because we knew this was likely coming, we also have been strategically planning for how to best help our seniors get the recognition they typically would receive. We know this will take some creativity and some thoughtful planning, but we also wanted to let our seniors and their families know what these plans are and where we are in various processes. While we are able to plan out some of these “events” with detail, we also recognize the frustration that some other events will have to be works-in-progress.
There have already been many great initiatives taken by some of our community members along the path towards senior recognition! We wanted to take an opportunity to update the seniors and their families with what we’re working on towards that end as well. Please see the information below, and please also never hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have.
Thank you,
Shane Hartley
Principal, Deer Park Jr/Sr High School
hartley.s@dpccsd.org
VIRTUAL ACADEMIC SIGNING DAY
As you can imagine, this year our academic signing day is going to look a little different from previous years, as it will take place virtually. We will honor the Top 10 students, as well as all students who will be attending college in the fall. Below is a pair of links you will need to complete in order to be recognized during the Academic Signing Day. First, you must submit your Senior Exit Survey. This will include the college or university you are attending.
Senior Exit Survey
The second form you will need to complete is a photo submission. To complete this step, simply click the link below, select your name and attach a photo wearing gear from your college or university (if you don't have any, just attach your favorite photo of yourself).
Photo Submission
That's it! We'll take care of the rest! Academic signing day will take place on May 8, when we will publish the video via YouTube. Ms. Madden will be reaching out to the Top 10 in the coming days with more instructions for that portion of the video.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS
During the month of May, we will be featuring the Class of 2020. We are creating social media graphics that will be shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram featuring members of our senior class. All you need to do to participate is fill out the form below and include an image (Senior photo, portrait, etc.). We will feature up to five seniors each day until all of our Class of 2020 has been recognized!
Senior Spotlight Submission
VIRTUAL SENIOR AWARDS
Virtual awards will take place on May 18 and will be posted on YouTube. We'll have more details about the Senior Awards Ceremony coming closer to the day of the event.
GRADUATION
With so many unknowns for the future in regards to when groups will be able to gather together, including how many people are permitted within a group, we are working through various options for a Graduation Ceremony. We are also aware that the Ohio Department of Education recently released a statement regarding Graduation Ceremonies for this school year. To access that statement, click here.
Building and district leaders have met with and will continue to meet with Senior Student Council members to share ideas, and we will continue to develop a plan that is safe, follows our Governor’s orders, follows directives from the Ohio Department of Education, and allows our students to have the recognition they deserve.
With Graduation also comes the questions of access to caps and gowns. This is another situation for which we will continue to work through a plan that is as safe as possible for our students and their families, though no final decision has been made yet.
While we understand the desire to have answers as soon as possible, we also want to be strategic and thorough through our planning for Graduation. We also need to be cognizant of new information and directives that are passed down from the State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education. We hope to have plans solidified very soon, and we will be sure to communicate with families as soon as possible.
PROM
We have previously communicated the backup date for Prom as Saturday, June 19th. Due to the uncertainty of our ability to have large gatherings, we have worked with our Junior Class Student Council to set another backup date for Saturday, July 18th.
This is of course a long time away, and we will continue to communicate any change of plans as needed. We will also be sharing information with the junior class in regards to voting for Prom Court through Schoology, and students should look for that information starting the week of May 11th.
Please note that, unfortunately, our After Prom has had to be canceled for this year.
SENIOR PHOTOS AND YEARBOOK INFORMATION
Earlier this week, Dr. West posted information on the Class of 2020 Schoology page for information for the yearbook. In cased you missed it, here is a summary of the information:
This year’s yearbook will feature a much more in-depth senior section, including not just a spotlight on seniors this year, but also covering all of their time at Deer Park. To buy a yearbook, go to https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectTask. The code needed is: 13951320.
Because of the stay-at-home order, some senior photo appointments may have been canceled. Dr. West will accept professional quality photos to be included in the yearbook this year. If students had a senior picture session with another photographer, they may send Dr. West the file for the yearbook (west.c@dpccsd.org).
Students MUST get your photo taken by Prestige Portraits in order to be included in the composite photo. They print it and will only use their own photos. While The Prestige / Lifetouch “Last Chance” day, when they come to the school, has obviously been postponed, we have been working with the company to establish a “Last Chance” day at the school once it is safe to do so. There is not a firm date yet, but this will be communicated as soon as possible.
SENIORS’ “LAST DAY” & SENIOR EXAMS
We are going to stick with the original plan for a senior "last day," which is May 8th. Teachers will work with students on an as-needed basis past that date
Additionally, we will NOT be holding exams for seniors.
FEES
Many students and families have been asking about fees, especially as it relates to when seniors will need to have these paid. This is another question that we are working as fast as possible to answer. We want to ensure that we are being consistent and as thorough in this process as well, and information will be disseminated to seniors and their families as soon as possible.
CONTINUED ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION
We thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters. As our teams continue to work with our seniors to ensure our plans are safe, thorough, consistent, and clear, we will also have weekly Senior Updates.
Lastly, we will continue to push out information to students through our daily announcements on Schoology and on the Class of 2020 Schoology page. All senior students have access to these pages through their Schoology accounts.