BHS Senior News

Dear Parents and Students of the class of 2020:

Our graduation celebration still remains a challenge as the Governor has extended the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order until May 28th. This means that we continue to change and modify plans for this occasion. Our campus remains closed to students until the end of the school year, which includes school-sponsored activities (such as commencement). Depending on how soon the Stay Home Order is lifted will greatly determine what possibilities we have in terms of a commencement or graduation celebration date. Without a doubt, I can say for certain that the traditional commencement that Buchanan would normally have on June 5, will not be happening this year.

There are many factors that are considered when planning an occasion such as this during a pandemic. These are the top six considerations and planning points that we must take into account.

1. We must consider what is reasonable and appropriate for our situation. Berrien County has a high Infection Risk Growth rate and we may not realize a face to face celebration until perhaps September.
2. We have to determine who our target audience is. Obviously we are targeting our senior class, but we also have to consider parents, siblings, grandparents, board members, and teaching staff. When considering these different groups of people we may have to make some difficult decisions about who can be involved in the celebration.
3. We must consider where we might host a celebration and take into account social distancing measures while abiding by current Executive Orders.
   
4. We have to consider ways to mitigate the risk of vulnerable populations, students, families, staff, access points, screenings, PPE, sanitizing, social distancing, restriction of movement, and contact.
   
5. We have to determine when interest in this celebration might be lost. Will every senior be able to participate in July or August? Would seniors be willing to come back for Homecoming, Thanksgiving or Winter break? We must also consider our graduates who are enlisting in the military or have college or career commitments.
   
6. We have to determine what is our local capacity. How do we pull off a celebration with our current human, physical, and technical resources?
   

As you can see, simply making it happen as we've always done in the past just isn't an option. There are many factors that will need to be determined in order for us to plan a socially acceptable and responsible event. We have arranged for a sort of graduation parade that is to take place on June 5 (the original date of graduation), however, those plans may not be feasible at this point. My staff and I continue to discuss options, take into account current executive orders and the health and safety or our students, family, and staff. I appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue on this uncertain journey to create a memorable experience for our graduating class of 2020.

Mrs. DeMaio

Caps, gowns, and other personalized order materials have not yet been delivered to us. As with many other businesses around the state and around the country, things have slowed to a crawl with the lack of human capacity to fill orders. Shipping is also taking longer on most items. When orders have arrived, we will let you know how and when parents may come to the building to pick up those items.

Start collecting materials and owes list items now to be prepared for drop off dates and times. Items that need to be returned: Chromebooks and chargers, calculators, textbooks, reading materials, and athletic apparel and equipment.

The Herald-Palladium has created an online photo gallery, sponsored by United Federal Credit Union, where parents and families can upload a photo of their graduating senior and include a congratulatory note at no charge! You can either go to www.TheHP.com and click on the Class of 2020 banner ad, or click this link to upload your photos: https://bit.ly/35t5TwW. We are accepting photos through June 12. Readers can also browse the galleries to see the photos of the graduates and well wishes.

TOMORROW, Friday, May 15th, Facebook and Instagram will proudly present a once-in-a-lifetime event to honor the incredible Class of 2020 and they want you to be a part of it!

This multi-hour streaming event will feature a commencement address by Oprah Winfrey, along with words of wisdom for the class of 2020 from Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X, Simone Biles, and many more, as well as a special musical performance from Miley Cyrus of her hit song, “The Climb.”

TO PARTICIPATE CLICK THIS LINK!

If you are still interested in helping out other parents plan and prepare a Senior Dinner, I would be happy to add you to the list. We are encouraging parents to step in and plan this event for Seniors to share a meal together one more time as a group. The school will be more than happy and willing to help invite all seniors and spread the word, but we are not planning the event. If you are interested in helping this committee plan this event when it is socially responsibly to do so, please send me an email and I can add you to the list. Thank you!