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Lyndonville Central School District

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Commemoration Guidelines

Commemoration Guidelines

A school commemoration is intended to bring closure to a period of grieving and serves as a point from which to move forward. Appropriate commemorative activities are those that benefit students and staff and help them cope with their grief. Commemorations should reflect the needs of the school community while being respectful to the deceased individual and their family. Prior to any commemorative activities or events occurring in Lyndonville Central School, a Commemoration Request Form must be completed and submitted to the superintendent for approval.

For each commemoration, it is important to think about the precedent that is being set and the long-term implications. These guidelines are intended to assist administrators in concert with the crisis team. The crisis team should work with families and/or assist individuals or groups who want to commemorate students or staff and be prepared to offer acceptable options. Student commemorations will be permitted for students who were enrolled in a district program at the time of the student’s death.

It is recommended that:

  • The commemoration should take place once the immediate impact of the loss has subsided, but before the start of the next school year.
  • If a temporary location for commemoration is established, specify time limits (3 days) and that items left will be offered to the family.
  • Allow student(s) and staff opportunities to attend services within the community.
  • Within the classroom, activities that address the loss will be conducted as is developmentally appropriate, with the support of the crisis team.

  • The school reserves the right to accept or reject any and all commemorations donated or purchased in memory of a student or staff member. If a member of the community requests the commemoration of an individual (i.e., the requesting individual is not related to the individual to be commemorated), the district superintendent or designee will respectfully contact the family to determine if this is in line with their wishes. Furthermore, the school has the right to discontinue any commemorations currently on school property at any time. Any commemorations will be privately funded.

    Suggested options include:

    1. Purchasing library books at the discretion of the District librarian and administration, or donation of school supplies and equipment, with the approval of administration. Donated books may include a bookplate, which will be created or purchased by the district. Additionally, equipment may include an engraved plate, also created or purchased by the district, with a maximum size of two by six inches. Wording on the plates will be limited to “Donated in Memory of” or “In Memory of” and the student/staff member’s legal name and year of donation. Any engraved plate other than bookplates will be removed at a time determined by the superintendent or designee and offered to the family.
    2. Contributions by students/staff to memorials designated by the family, e.g., Cancer Society, MADD, local charities, etc.
    3. Scholarships established in the names of students/staff.
    4. Temporary commemoration location for members of the community to leave flowers, letters, etc. All items will be collected and removed after 3 school days. All items will be offered to the family.

    1. Violate Title IX federal guidelines.
    2. Contradict the Lyndonville Central School District’s mission.
    3. Significantly alter the conduct of a regular school instructional day.
    4. Significantly alter school activities or school activities schedule.
    5. Require the retirement or discontinued use of school property. This may include such items as monuments, statues, benches, etc.
    6. Infringe on the separation of church and state.
    7. Require the use of public funds for purchase, development or maintenance beyond the normal care and maintenance of school properties.
    8. Any item that is permanently affixed to the building (e.g., plaques).

    1. Appropriate space may be designated (up to one page) in commemoration of any students/staff members who have died during that school year. This space may include a uniform size picture of each student/staff member, if available, along with the legal name and dates of birth and death, as deemed appropriate.
    2. If there is a death after the printing of the yearbook and the student has not graduated, the student’s picture may appear in the next year’s yearbook. If the student was enrolled in high school, the student’s picture may appear in the anticipated graduation year’s yearbook upon consultation with the student’s family.
    3. A deceased student/staff member’s picture, if available, may be included with the pictures of other students/staff in the class for the year covered by the yearbook.

    1. Graduation is a time to recognize the many years of work and achievement of the senior class.
    2. Any students who die during their senior year may be acknowledged at graduation (with parent/guardian approval) prior to the conferring of diplomas for the graduating class. If a posthumous diploma is to be awarded, the name should be read and the diploma presented by a staff member to the family. The family shall sit in a designated area for the presentation. Students should not be involved in the presentation.
    3. In the case of any students who have died during their high school career, their parent/guardian may request that they be acknowledged in a similar fashion at the time of the graduation of their class.

  • Any commemoration in existence at the time these guidelines are adopted, whether in compliance with these guidelines or not, may be reviewed by a committee formed by the superintendent (to include administration, members of the school mental health team, etc.). Any commemoration already in existence may be removed and offered to the family at the discretion of the superintendent.

  • Family members of deceased students/staff members are encouraged to inform the school of any address changes so that the District may return any commemorations to them.

Revised December 2024

All of these guidelines are at the discretion of the superintendent or designee.

Commemoration Forms