June 10, 2020
Dear LCS Families and Community,
We are winding down the school year, and I want to share with you some updates:
END OF YEAR PROGRAMS - Our traditional end of the year programs are taking on a different look this year. We recently completed 46 individual and highly personalized graduation ceremonies for each of our seniors, complete with Pomp & Circumstance, caps, gown, and tassels! These were memorable and special ceremonies for each of our graduates and their families. Portions of these ceremonies, along with the customary speeches and presentations, are being compiled into a video that will be released on Friday, June 26th. Please check back for the link and more details. After the video, our seniors and their families will gather for a vehicle parade through our community so we can celebrate the Class of 2020--a truly special class. Our graduation staff, along with a parent and student advisory panel, began planning for this process in May, and I thank each of them for their contributions and commitment. Special thanks to Principal Aaron Slack for his personal tributes to each graduate he provided at the ceremony--families deservedly beamed with pride and joy!
On a personal note, I enjoyed these individual ceremonies immensely. I had the opportunity to interact with our students and families on a personal level, which we have not had the chance to do since March 13th. For me, this served as a timely reminder that it is truly our students that drive our work and make it so incredibly joyful. It was truly a special day, and one that I will cherish.
Faculty and staff are also compiling end of year tributes for moving up programs for Kindergarten and Sixth Graders, and our Athletic Department is also preparing a video award program. All of these videos will be shared on our website and social media feeds.
MEAL SERVICE - On average, we served about 400 meals a day during the school closure. To that end, our LAST day of meal service will be Friday, June 19th.
Thank you to Michelle Higgins, her wonderful Personal Touch staff, and our staff who assisted in this important service.
REMOTE LEARNING – Our last day of "school" (AKA remote learning) will be Friday, June 12. Report cards will be issued shortly thereafter, and as a reminder to our 7-12 families, the fourth quarter grade will be Pass/Fail--there will be no numeric score. Please contact Principal Aaron Slack if you have specific questions on grading. Dr. Slack may be reached at Aslack@lcsdk12.org or 765-3122.
Thank you to our principals, administrators, technology staff, and teachers for their leadership and commitment to continuing our instructional program in the most trying of circumstances.
BUDGET/BOARD ELECTIONS - Voters have until June 16th for the District to receive their absentee ballots. At this point, we can ONLY accept ballots via mail--hand delivery is no longer allowed. Ballots will be counted beginning at 5:01 pm on Tuesday, June 16th and this process will be live-streamed and recorded. Details will be posted as we arrive closer to the deadline.
Since April, all Board of Education meetings have been recorded and are available on the Board of Education section on our website.
CAPITAL PROJECT - Our Capital Project will be officially concluded on June 30th, yet we expect the construction of the soccer and baseball/softball dugouts to continue throughout the summer, as these are being completed by Iroquois Job Corps. Due to their shutdown as well, Iroquois was unable to provide us with students to complete the dugouts.
REOPENING OF SCHOOL - There is no doubt that when we reopen---whenever that will be--school will look and feel different. Extra-curricular activities, field trips, fall sports, transportation, social distancing, masks, etc will all need to be addressed in a plan that we have yet to receive guidance on. Guidance, however, is forthcoming from the State, and we have been told plans will need to be submitted in July. Parents and community representation will be sought in this vital process. Again, stay tuned for details.
Please look for details and route information regarding our Class of 2020 Vehicle Parade on our website and Facebook/Twitter! I look forward to celebrating our seniors, their families, and our community.
Have a wonderful week and enjoy the outdoors!
Jason Smith, Superintendent