Seniors at Lyons Township High School are hopeful that by the end of June coronavirus restrictions will be lifted and they can have a traditional graduation ceremony.
LTHS has rescheduled the commencement for the Class of 2020 from May 31 to June 28, depending on the local and state restrictions at the time.
The last few weeks, LTHS administrators spoke to the Senior Class Board, senior members of the student council and senior members of the Principal Student Advisory Council about the celebrations planned for the end of their high school years, Principal Brian Waterman said in a letter to parents and guardians.
“We learned very clearly through our conversations that our seniors are hopeful about everything that lies ahead,” Waterman wrote.
In light of that, their prom has been tentatively rescheduled to 7 p.m. June 25 at Navy Pier and the graduation ceremony postponed to 2 p.m. June 28.
We made the decision to postpone (rather than cancel) prom and graduation to late June based upon feedback received from students, staff, and parents,” Waterman said in an email. “We also think it is important to creatively recognize the Class of 2020 during the month of May, because there is uncertainty about what June will look like. That is why we are planning a virtual senior honors assembly, electronic release of the yearbook and other events.”
Caps and gowns will be distributed in mid-May, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 22, Class of 2020 yard signs and flags will be distributed.
On May 31, when seniors were scheduled to graduate, a remote Honors Assembly will be livestreamed on the high school’s television station, LTTV, Waterman said.
An electronic version of the yearbook Tabulae is scheduled to be released May 15.
“It is my understanding that no hard copy yearbooks are currently available due to the virus and supply,” LTHS Community Relations Coordinator Jennifer Bialobok said.