Dear Hilton Head Prep Community,
I would like to begin by saying how proud I am of our school community. Our staff, students, and parents have come together to make the best of a difficult situation. I truly believe that together we are stronger and the past weeks have proven our resolve in overcoming these unprecedented times.
Our President, the Governor, and our governing association have directed that schools continue distance learning for the remainder of the school year. Hilton Head Prep will follow those instructions. We have found our stride with our "new normal" and we will continue to work together to finish the school year well.
The school calendar has been adjusted based on the circumstances and the new AP exam schedule:
- May 11th - 22nd AP exams
- May 18th - 22nd Year-end assessments (as outlined by division)
- May 22nd Last day of school
The conclusion of the school year is a time to celebrate our students and their accomplishments throughout the year. Our graduating seniors are rightly and deservingly the most celebrated part of the year-end festivities. We are filled with pride over the accomplishments of our graduating seniors and want to recognize them with the pomp and circumstance they deserve.
Because the future is uncertain, we have developed creative ways to recognize our students, especially those reaching specific milestones. Where possible, we intend to recognize underclassman at the start of the 2020-21 school year. The following are divisional plans for the year-end events that typically take place:
Lower School:
- End-of-year transitions - Our intention is to have a transition day at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year for Lower School students to be welcomed into their new rooms by their new teachers.
- 5th Grade - We will close out the 2019-20 school year with a video tribute. In the video tribute, we will include the 5th grade awards and the 6th grade tradition of handing down their lockers. On the first day of the 2020-21 school year, we will have a celebration to welcome the new 6th graders into Middle School!
- Lower School Field Day will take place at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.
Middle School:
- 8th grade - We will close out the year with a video tribute and announce the Faculty Award Winner who will give his/her recorded speech. The "I am Prep" Award will also be announced at this time. The Middle School teachers intend to hand deliver (with proper social distancing) the 8th grade certificates including an outline of all individual honors and accomplishments.
- Middle School basketball awards will be announced through a Zoom presentation.
- Middle School Field Day will take place at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.
Upper School:
- Field Day - Possibly rescheduled for later in the summer, provided students are willing to participate and social distancing rules allow for such a gathering.
- Prom - Possibly rescheduled for later in the summer, provided students are willing to participate and social distancing rules allow for such a gathering.
- Academic Awards - Senior award winners will be recognized as part of the graduation ceremonies. Underclassman awards will be announced in person at the start of the 2020-21 school year.
- Athletic Awards - May 6th The Athletic Department will recognize our winter sports teams through a personalized video presentation by our coaches. We will announce underclassman awards in person at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
- Senior Showcase - We are in the process of creating a digital showcase of the Senior artwork that has traditionally been displayed at Honey Horn. Additionally, we will display the artwork in the newly renovated US art hallway.
- Graduation - Senior Honoring - Faculty and Administration will provide personalized mementos to be presented to our seniors at graduation. Baccalaureate - Will be presented digitally Graduation - The May 23rd date has been postponed. Based on social distancing guidelines we are looking at options that are flexible enough to meet group-gathering requirements and still be as personal as possible. We are looking at dates and will send confirmation as soon as possible.
At a time when we seem to be consumed with uncertainty, fear, and a general sense of angst, I would like to remind everyone that we have a great deal to celebrate when we look into the eyes of our children.
I encourage you to make the most of this time so that we can look back and remember the good things; remember the extra books we read together, the walks we took around the neighborhood, the backyard games we played, the special movie nights (or days ), the Zoom calls to everyone, making meals together, the quiet talks, the coloring books, and simply the gift of time to be together.
We all get to choose how we will respond to this adversity. Please make the most of this time with your family.
Sincerely,
Jon Hopman