By RONI REINO
rreino@fosters.comFriday, June 3, 2011
DURHAM — As seniors finish up the last of their high school classes, many have said they are glad to know they will be choosing who will hand them their diploma.
After seniors sent School Board members a letter requesting students chose a representative to give out diplomas instead of a School Board member this year.
Following discussion, board members decided to send a response to the seniors.
Members spent time at Wednesday night's School Board meeting editing the letter that was written and submitted by board members Jocelyn O'Quinn and Megan Turnbull.
Students and staff have stood by school policy, indicating it is not the School Board's place to plan graduation.
"Planning for graduation is the responsibility of the high school administration, faculty and staff as is outlined in board policy IKF, which states that 'the (high school) staff will arrange each spring for appropriate awards and recognition programs and graduation exercises,'" read a letter dated May 27 from High School Principal Laura Rogers.
On Thursday, seniors received a letter from the School Board congratulating their upcoming graduation.
"You have so much to be proud of as you mark one of life's great milestones," it read. "And as Board members, community members and parents, we are proud of you, too."
Members also stated in the letter graduation is a day to celebrate the seniors' accomplishments.
"This is your time, and graduation is your day," the letter read. "To make absolutely certain the focus of the ceremony is where it belongs, we agree that it is best to do as you have asked and put a pause on the current tradition of having a board member pass out diplomas to students."
Some of the Board members have indicated they will be attending the June 10 graduation.
Senior David Taylor said the letter was a surprise to him and many of his classmates. After receiving the response from the School Board, Taylor said it was good to know their voices were being heard.
"It's nice the student's wish is being respected," he said.
Students are expected to take a survey on Friday, June 3, during their core group morning meetings to vote on possible people to hand out diplomas. Members of the senior class have already selected a few of their teachers to nominate.
"At that time, all the seniors should be present and can vote," Taylor said.
Senior class President Ethan Hotchkiss said the thought of graduation had not quite hit him as of Thursday afternoon.
"It feels like a normal Thursday," he said.
However, he said he was also glad to know the School Board was respecting the student's request to choose someone other than a School Board member to hand out diplomas. He said it was "nice change of pace" to have the members listen to their voices.
"Not all we need to do is graduate," he said.
After seniors sent School Board members a letter requesting students chose a representative to give out diplomas instead of a School Board member this year.
Following discussion, board members decided to send a response to the seniors.
Members spent time at Wednesday night's School Board meeting editing the letter that was written and submitted by board members Jocelyn O'Quinn and Megan Turnbull.
Students and staff have stood by school policy, indicating it is not the School Board's place to plan graduation.
"Planning for graduation is the responsibility of the high school administration, faculty and staff as is outlined in board policy IKF, which states that 'the (high school) staff will arrange each spring for appropriate awards and recognition programs and graduation exercises,'" read a letter dated May 27 from High School Principal Laura Rogers.
On Thursday, seniors received a letter from the School Board congratulating their upcoming graduation.
"You have so much to be proud of as you mark one of life's great milestones," it read. "And as Board members, community members and parents, we are proud of you, too."
Members also stated in the letter graduation is a day to celebrate the seniors' accomplishments.
"This is your time, and graduation is your day," the letter read. "To make absolutely certain the focus of the ceremony is where it belongs, we agree that it is best to do as you have asked and put a pause on the current tradition of having a board member pass out diplomas to students."
Some of the Board members have indicated they will be attending the June 10 graduation.
Senior David Taylor said the letter was a surprise to him and many of his classmates. After receiving the response from the School Board, Taylor said it was good to know their voices were being heard.
"It's nice the student's wish is being respected," he said.
Students are expected to take a survey on Friday, June 3, during their core group morning meetings to vote on possible people to hand out diplomas. Members of the senior class have already selected a few of their teachers to nominate.
"At that time, all the seniors should be present and can vote," Taylor said.
Senior class President Ethan Hotchkiss said the thought of graduation had not quite hit him as of Thursday afternoon.
"It feels like a normal Thursday," he said.
However, he said he was also glad to know the School Board was respecting the student's request to choose someone other than a School Board member to hand out diplomas. He said it was "nice change of pace" to have the members listen to their voices.
"Not all we need to do is graduate," he said.
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