Greetings in the name of The Resurrected Jesus Christ!
What follows is the third chapter of "The ML Virtual Plan" detailing and updating how we will go about closing out this academic year.
This plan has been informed by lots of staff thinking, conversation, and planning as well as the results of a recent survey of our senior class and their parents.
Offered in chronological order, what follows is "The ML Virtual Plan" - Chapter 3:
1. Locker Clean Out - Part 1 and Turn "Stuff" In
Monday 5/4- Thursday 5/7
Students come in on assigned days in two shifts 9a-11a and 11a-1p.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors
A-M A-M A-M A-M 9a-11a
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N-Z N-Z N-Z N-Z 11a-1p
If a student no longer needs any of their textbooks they can be returned to the cafeteria and placed on tables labeled by department. Textbooks and other items can also be returned at the second locker clean out/ return items event the week of the 18th of May. (See item #4 below)
Any other school issued items should be returned to the teacher who handed them out. Arrangements for these returns to be made via Schoology, email, etc.
All pictures, tape, and garbage need to be removed from lockers. Lockers will be emptied of all contents and remain open when students leave.
Any personal school items (binders, locker shelves, etc.) that students do not want and are in good condition, can be donated to charity by way designated boxes in the hallways.
Gym lockers and sports lockers should also be cleaned out during these time frames as well. PE staff will be on site during those times to collect locks and check students out.
Students will be encouraged to maintain social distancing rules; 6 feet apart if they are able (depending on lockers), wear a mask (students provide own masks), wash hands often, etc.
2. Virtual Awards Chapel - Wednesday, May 13 @ 11:15 a.m. via Facebook Live
As we have been doing all other chapels during this time, this chapel will occur virtually by way of Facebook livestream.
If the mid-morning time frame of the event is problematic for folks to view, the broadcast will be archived on the ML Facebook page.
Those students receiving recognitions will be contacted by the OSS to encourage viewership.
All of the media presentations that go along with this important celebration are being assembled as we speak and will be featured in the chapel itself.
The senior and parent surveys indicated the delaying of this event for a potential face to face event sometime down the road as not being a significant priority.
3. Senior Chapel - Friday, May 15 @ 11:15 a.m. via Facebook Live
As we have been doing all other chapels during this time, this chapel will occur virtually by way of Facebook livestream.
If the mid-morning time frame of the event is problematic for folks to view, the broadcast will be archived on the ML Facebook page.
Mr. Janetzke and the theology staff are collaborating and working with various students to build out a meaningful experience of quality for this senior class.
The senior and parent surveys indicated the delaying of this event for a potential face to face event sometime down the road as not being a significant priority.
4. Locker Clean Out - Part 2 and Turn "Stuff" In
Monday 5/18-Thursday 5/21
See item number one procedures and details offered above.
The procedures and details are identical for both four-day events.
5. "The Senior Celebration Service!" - Saturday, May 23 @ 10 a.m. via Facebook Live
As you read on, you will see that it is our intention to conduct a face to face commencement service/ event down the road as state restrictions will allow at that time.
The senior and parent surveys strongly indicated the delaying of this event for a potential face to face event sometime down the road as a significant priority. Those same results indicated a desire to have this event occur, one way or another prior to mid-July. That is the plan about which we are thinking currently. Stay tuned!
Saturday, May 23rd @ 10 a.m. was the original date and time for the graduation service. As such, we wanted to honor that time as a closure point for the senior class, celebrate who they are, and give thanks together virtually for the tremendous impact they have made and legacy they leave behind for our school!
As we have been doing with chapels during this time, this event will occur virtually by way of Facebook livestream.
If the mid-morning time frame of the event is problematic for folks to view, the broadcast will be archived on the ML Facebook page.
If you have been to our commencement/ graduation services in the past, you might remember that we utilize quite a bit of media in our celebrating. This "Senior Celebration Service" will include most all of those elements including the pre-service and in-service slide shows featuring pics form all four of the graduate's years here at ML, the "Senior Video" featuring individual childhood pics of the graduates, meaningful music, etc.
This virtual service, done in conjunction with a potential face to face event later, will hopefully provide a meaningful, worshipful, and excellent experience for everyone within the parameters of the state orders.
6. Prom/ Senior Farewell - To Be Determined
The senior and parent surveys strongly indicated the delaying of this combo event for a potential face to face event sometime down the road as a significant priority. Those same results indicated a desire to have this event occur, one way or another prior to mid-July. That is the plan about which we are thinking currently. Stay tuned!
Mrs. Herbig and those who put on our awesome dances have been following all of this and will be ready to pull together and announce some form of a culminating, informal, social event when and if the state orders make it allowable.
We all really want to make this happen for the students and will just have to wait and pray for circumstances to reveal themselves to us all!
7. Commencement/ Graduation - Face to Face
The senior and parent surveys strongly indicated the delaying of this event for a potential face to face event sometime down the road as a significant priority. Those same results indicated a desire to have this event occur, one way or another prior to mid-July. That is the plan about which we are thinking currently. Stay tuned!
We all really want to make this happen for the students and will just have to wait and pray for circumstances to reveal themselves to us all!
One way or another, prior to fall, we will make arrangements for students to experience the receiving of their diplomas, awards, etc. What that looks like is anybody's guess at this point!
Please know that we are all in this together! As such, we have been doing scenario planning for all of this and have some cool and creative ideas we will be execute for the kids when the restrictions allow.
So, that's the plan to date!
Please don't hesitate to reach out to staff members for questions, clarifications, etc.
Christ's peace and His richest blessings to all of you today and always!
Until we meet again, God bless and GO SPARTANS!