To: Community

Date: September 28, 2009

Re: Graduation Committee 2010
PRESS RELEASE


HF-L High School Graduation Committee Explores Options

Weighing tradition against safety and facility capacity concerns was no easy task for a committee of parents, staff, students and community members that has been at work over the past four months.  Following a study of graduation options, the committee scheduled a community forum on September 28th in the High School Auditorium to share findings and gather further community input for the 2010 Graduation Ceremony.

Since the 60’s, the Honeoye Falls-Lima graduating class has enjoyed commencement in front of the High School building, on the front lawn at 83 East Street. And, while in 1964 the area could well accommodate the 52 graduating students, by 2009 that number had grown to 251 with both graduates and audiences at the mercy of the weather and traffic. 

 

The 2008 graduation was an example of a ceremony that fell prey to Mother Nature.  The ceremony began under clear, blue skies.  However, conditions changed just before diplomas were handed over. A fast moving storm brought torrential rain and lightning forcing the ceremony to move into the gymnasium.  Due to the size of the crowd, the limited facility capacity indoors resulted in a large number of guests being excluded from seeing diplomas awarded, firsthand.  A 2009 spring graduation tent collapse on a local college campus also prompted further concerns from parents and school officials about outdoor conditions for graduations.  This spring, members of the community requested the High School to review the current procedures for graduation. With the next five years showing the largest classes in the history of HF-L to be approaching the podium, safety and logistics needed to be addressed. A call advertised in the Sentinel invited the community to assist in researching and studying options resulted in a sign up of over 40 committee members.

 

At issue are weather, safety, and expense while considerations are given to alternative facility capacities, special accommodations and location. The committee examined options for continued use of High School facilities and a number of other sites.  One of the venues currently under consideration that meets criteria for capacity and other needs is CMAC, the Performing Arts Center located in Canandaigua. At present time, projected costs for changing to this venue would save close to $5,000.00 when compared with hosting it at the High School.

 

The Committee has paid special attention to the needs and desires of students, parents and citizens and has considered making buses available and hosting a community reception and photo session at the school before departing to another facility. Locally and across the country, schools have undergone the same process as populations continue to expand beyond the capabilities of school facilities. The committee’s report will be presented by the members to the Superintendent and the Board of Education on October 13th, 2009.  The Board is expected to make a decision within a month after review of that report. 

 

For more details see committee materials at: 

http://stella.hflcampus.monroe.edu/staffweb/ITS/District/graduation_2010.html