Last days of high school, 2020

Make an appointment to enter the building
A maximum of 20 students allowed at once
to retrieve personal items
No parents or guests permitted
Enter Door 40 at your time
Wear a face covering
Sanitize your hands upon entry
Hallway locker first, PE locker last 
Maintain at a safe social distance
at least 6 feet from all other individuals
No more than 20 minutes
Exit the building at Door 39
immediately upon retrieving materials
Sanitize hands prior to leaving

If you are a Senior
pull your vehicle up to Door 1
Display a white paper with your name on it
Your cap and gown
diploma cover
medallion
senior t-shirt and
other graduation-related materials
will be placed in your trunk
to minimize contact

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Every word here was in a long perfunctory email from the high school principal this week. I cried when I read it. What kind of world has this become where safety has become such a priority that we have to address each other (particularly our children!) without any empathy or emotion? Not one bit of warmth or acknowledgment that this is just plain weird and heartbreaking, especially for the seniors. My cousin Jon is the principal at Vernon Hills High School and made this creative and touching video for his seniors. Kudos, Jon, for being an administrator with a big heart.

For all the high school seniors missing the rite of passage this Spring should hold — the celebrations, excitement and privileges of being top dog — my heart goes out to you.