The following email message was sent to all OFHS seniors and their families on Tuesday. May 26, 2020.

Dear Class of 2020 Bulldog Students & Families:

I am emailing this afternoon to share an important update with all of our seniors and their families regarding commencement and prom. As you know, our team has been simultaneously working on two different plans in order to do everything in our power to bring the Class of 2020 together for an in-person group commencement ceremony. We received word late Friday that the Cuyahoga County Board of Health will NOT approve our plan for holding commencement at our Vitamix Field at Charles A. Harding Stadium.

Our local Board of Health has indicated that bringing together a mass gathering of attendees to a venue is not something a local health department can endorse or approve at this time. They advised that such a gathering continues to be in direct conflict with existing state orders and guidance and indicated their office cannot approve any proposed large gathering of any type until the state modifies or rescinds its existing orders. They also indicated that this practice of not approving large gatherings in accordance with current state orders is one that is currently being shared by all of local health jurisdictions across Northeast Ohio.  While we again experienced a new glimmer of hope with last week’s announcement by the Governor that wedding receptions will soon be allowed, we have been specifically told that does not apply to commencement gatherings.  

This is obviously not the news we had hoped to share and I understand the disappointment that many of you will be feeling at this time.  I want you to know that we did everything within our power to pursue a more traditional commencement ceremony, including making a number of revisions to our plan. The final in-person commencement ceremony plan submitted to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health included ONLY students on our field, along with minimal staff for diploma presentation, and the entire event being live-streamed for family and friends to view remotely.  Unfortunately, even this skeleton plan has been rejected.

Additionally, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health has also informed us that they will NOT be approving any plans for Prom gatherings in the foreseeable future either. So at this point, regrettably, we are also announcing the cancellation of Prom. We realize both prom and commencement are true rights of passage and know how disappointing this news will be.  We have attempted to explore all options and push limits. However, in the end, we cannot sanction any event that does not have the approval of local health officials. 

We will now turn our full attention to the Class of 2020 Car Parade and special screening of commencement at the Aut-O-Rama Drive-In Theatre in North Ridgeville, which has been officially set for the evening of Wednesday, June 17th and promises to be a memorable event.  Full details and instructions will be forthcoming.  The first step in this plan is the individual, private presentation of diplomas that will get underway in the OFHS auditorium later this week.  All senior families should have already received their assigned date and time for this special diploma presentation, along with guidelines regarding the number of family members that can be in attendance.  Please note that the plans for the personal diploma distribution at OFHS auditorium (Cuyahoga) and the Aut-O-Rama Drive-In event (Lorain) have also been carefully reviewed and officially approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and Lorain County Public Health respectively.  

REMINDER:  CAP, GOWN & CORD PICK UP TODAY:  We are looking forward to seeing everyone from a safe distance later today during our drive-thru Cap, Gown & Cord Pick Up taking place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. For further details and instructions, please click HERE.

Please plan to continue to carefully monitor your email in the coming days.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or by phone message at 440.427.6100.  We truly appreciate your patience and understanding.  We look forward to celebrating a memorable commencement and to seeing the Class of 2020 and their families soon!

Thank you,

Leo Spagnola

Principal

Olmsted Falls High School

lspagnola@ofcs.net 

(440) 427-6100