April 12, 2020
Dear Parents and Students of the Class of 2020,
I’d like to take a few moments to share with all of you the steps that are being taken to celebrate the Class of 2020, and to clarify what the expectations are to earn their diploma. I know that we have entered into uncertain times, but as both the Principal of Newport High and as a parent of a graduate, I can assure you that we will find ways to honor and recognize the work our students have put in to the last thirteen years of their education.
Important notes about earning their diploma include:
- All credits this semester will be entered as Pass/No Pass. This will have no impact on their GPA but will earn students their diploma.
- If a student was passing a class on March 13 when we left, then they have earned the credit for that class. No further work is necessary.
- If a student was failing a class they needed for graduation on March 13, they should contact their teacher to determine what work can be completed to earn a passing grade. At this moment, their grade is currently listed as “incomplete.”
- Online classes (e-learning courses students were enrolled in prior to March 13) are open for those still needing credits and must be completed to a minimum of 1/3 of the classwork with a 70% or higher.
- Vicky Roller, our school counselor for seniors, is reviewing all grades/transcripts and each student will be notified this week of their status.
- Any questions may be directed to Dr. Roller at roller@lincoln.k12.or.us
In a moment, I’m going to provide you with a list of events that would traditionally be a part of “Senior Season” here at NHS. Those of us who traditionally organize those events have a variety of ideas of how to modify them for our current circumstances, but we are open to your creative and innovative ideas. In addition, perhaps you have ideas completely unrelated to traditional events. I welcome them all. Please email me at reyna.mattson@lincoln.k12.or.us and put “Celebrate Seniors” in the subject line. Or, please feel free to call me at the high school: 541-265-9281 x225.
The most critical of events that we are concerned about is graduation. Our hope is that some form of a ceremony will still be held, although there is an increasing chance that it will need to be at a later date. As a planner, I know that it is challenging to have to wait and see what happens, but if the social distancing plan is lifted or modified later in the spring or early in the summer, we intend to have a graduation, even if we’re given a short time frame to organize the event. This means that, to a large degree, we have to wait and see. I promise you, I understand that this is difficult to do and that it creates many questions.
The events that would traditionally take place are:
- Grad Night Party (the parents committee is still working and planning)
- Graduation
- Thank You Tokens
- Senior Walk (through the elementary schools)
- Skip Day
- Senior Awards Night (Mrs. Dye is at the high school every day and available to speak over the phone with students about scholarships)
- Decision Day
- Making of the Senior Sign (this project is in progress)
- Signing of the Senior Sign
- Baby Slide Show (shown at graduation – photos currently being collected by Ms. Murphy – murphy@lincoln.k12.or.us )
- Selection of the Senior Song (student ideas will be solicited)
- Celebration of our senior athletes and band members (not a formal event but something that would typically take place within each sport/band)
- Senior Video (this is a new effort this year on behalf of the senior leadership)
As I said, those of us at the school who organize the events have a number of ideas of how to proceed. In fact, Mr. Scarberry, Ms. Murphy (as the Senior Class Advisor), and I met with our senior class leadership this past week to hear from students what their wishes and ideas would be. The intent of my letter is to 1) invite your ideas and 2) assure you that these events will be held or celebrated in some fashion if at all possible. We might even find new traditions that we begin as a result of our current situation.
This past week I was struck, as I looked at the newly arrived graduation announcements, at the motto the senior class chose for themselves. “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Dr. Seuss. I’m not certain that there is a more appropriate sentiment for the moment we find ourselves in. I encourage each one of us to continue to work to make the final moments of the Class of 2020 at NHS the memories they will cherish for a lifetime.
To that end, please feel free to reach out to me with questions or ideas.
Co Cubs,
Reyna Mattson
Principal