The following letter is from Greg Denecker, Bluffton school superintendent.

Dear Parents and Students -
I write this letter to you with a great deal of emotion. As the parent of a Senior, I know full-well the disappointment that you are feeling, as COVID-19 has disrupted so many of the events and celebrations we had envisioned enjoying with our children as they mark this milestone of completing their K-12 education.

Like you, I am working to keep things in perspective, and I remain grateful for my family for our Bluffton community.

Prom
First, we had originally postponed Prom to a to-be-determined date in the summer. However, it is becoming increasingly clear from the Department of Health that having a large-scale event with people in close proximity is just not going to happen for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we are canceling the 2020 Prom. 

Academic awards
Academic Awards night will go forward, but in a virtual setting. Teachers are making recordings of their awards. These will be compiled into one video, which will be released on May 15.  

Street painting
Plans are being put in place for street painting. This will most likely occur during the week of May 18. I will forward more information as these plans—that include appropriate social distancing—are solidified. We look forward to having the Seniors participate in this long-standing Bluffton tradition.

Obviously, the culmination of our Seniors’ education at Bluffton Schools is graduation. Over the past 20 years, I have enjoyed these ceremonies immensely and have looked forward to two, in particular, with each of my sons: 2020 was to be one of those two times.

Our original intention was to postpone graduation until later in the summer, so that we might host one grand event with everyone present. Unfortunately, we have been told by the Department of Health that hosting such an event this summer really is not feasible.

We understand there is the option of drive-thru-style graduation diploma pick-up. However, parades are not allowed, and knowing the extreme support this community shows, we think a drive-thru graduation might inadvertently turn into a parade and thus, a large-scale event.

This would put our school and law enforcement in the terrible predicament of having to send people home who simply wanted to share their good wishes with our Seniors. 

Commencement
As a result, 2020 Commencement will go forward as a virtual ceremony. This is how it will work: during the week of May 4, we will videotape each of the seniors walking across the stage (in cap and gown) receiving his/her diploma.

Immediate family may attend this taping (no more than 10 people per graduate) and take pictures with their Senior. The videos will then be compiled into one single video that will include the traditional introductions, music, and speeches typical to each year’s ceremony.

The Commencement video will be released on Saturday, May 23, at 7 p.m. On that same day, Mike Minnig and I will deliver diplomas and care packages to graduates at their homes.

Families can sign up for a time to videotape their Senior’s walk across the stage by following the instructions in an email, which will be sent to every Senior.  Any family unable to sign-up digitally can call Julie Oberly in the high school office for sign up. (419) 358-7941.

Congratulations to the class of 2020, and to you, their parents!  None of us will ever forget this group of Seniors and the spring of 2020. 

To the Seniors: this time does not define you. Your years at Bluffton Schools are about more than a sports season, a prom, and a graduation. Missing out on these are deep, personal disappointments, to be sure.

I am sorry your Senior year is ending much differently than you imagined. My hope is that this time is still one where you have experienced personal growth—in the strength to fight obstacles and disappointments; in the confidence to face challenging situations; and in the wisdom to remember what’s most important in life.

I also hope that you will take many positive memories of Bluffton Schools with you as you venture into the future.  You will always have a home here.

I hope that you understand how difficult it is for me to share this news. These solutions are our best options given these unprecedented circumstances.  

Thank you in advance for your understanding. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely, 
Greg Denecker, Superintendent