Good afternoon, families of the Class of 2020.   This is Mr. Liggett, the principal.   

As you know by now, our Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend the school dismissal to the end of the school year.  While I fully support that decision, as it is in the best interests of everyone’s health and safety, I feel very sad for the students in the Class of 2020.  The last few months of a student’s senior year should be a very special experience, but with the school in dismissal, I know that I will not be able to make that experience as special as it should be.  

That said, I need you to know that I am totally committed to having a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020.  The Class of 2020 is very important to me.  In a way, we got started together as my first year as the Whittier High principal was when these current twelfth graders were freshmen.   I am still hoping that we can have a traditional graduation ceremony in a stadium, even if it has to be later in the summer such as late July.  But if the public health orders still prohibit large gatherings by that point, then we will do multiple, smaller ceremonies so that every student can be recognized.  Every student in the Class of 2020 has worked very hard to reach this point and I fully intend to honor them as appropriately as possible.  

We will keep you updated on the plans for our twelfth grade students as the next few months progress.  Thank you so much for your support and I hope that you and your families stay safe and healthy.