This message is lengthy but contains important information.

Please read thoroughly.

Dear Parents and Graduates of the Class of 2020,

As we enter the last month of the school year, we want you to know that our hearts are so broken for all of our seniors who will not have the same opportunity for the spirit, pageantry, pomp, and circumstance that would normally come to them in the next couple of weeks.  It has been a very surreal time and while behind the scenes, the administration has been working through some details to try to bring some normalcy for our seniors, the fact remains we really cannot ever do enough in these circumstances. Nonetheless, we want to share with you some of the thoughts and plans, mixed with the reality of where we are. 

Events

Panoramic Picture
Our goal: Antonian has maintained contact with the vendor who has taken our senior panoramic photo for more years than probably anyone can remember. Initially, we wanted to monitor the status of the stay at home orders with the hope that we would still be able to shoot this photo as we normally do. The vendor has been very agreeable to a future date, whenever it would become possible. 

The reality: As we continue to monitor orders of both the Governor and city/county officials, we find that, although capacity of our facilities might allow us to gather the seniors for a panoramic photo, the nature of the photo is such that there is no way to abide by social distancing measures that continue to be recommended (maintaining six feet between them) while taking the photograph. 

The outcome:  In lieu of the typical panoramic photo, we have the opportunity to produce what is known as a composite photo as a whole group keepsake item. We will continue to pursue this and provide more information to you as it becomes available.

Junior-Senior Prom
Our goal: The administration has committed to postponement of the prom, rather than cancellation. The order of the Governor permits gatherings that involve up to 25% of the capacity of a venue, but we must also follow the guidelines of local authorities. 

The reality: Even if we can gather in a venue meeting the 25% capacity constraint, it is virtually impossible to maintain social distancing at a dance. Nonetheless, if we were to plan for such an event, there are a number of questions involved: 1) Would parents allow their students to attend, potentially risking exposure to someone who has not appropriately maintained social distancing in the last few weeks? 2) Would students effectively abide by social distancing guidelines if instructed to do so while at the event? We also recognize that if we wait until things might be more feasible, many will likely not want to return.

The outcome: For now, we are tabling this event, with thoughts that perhaps we can do some type of social event, particularly for the seniors, near the end of summer vacation and prior to their departure to college. 

Senior Sunset  

Our goal: At the beginning of this school year, the seniors took part in senior sunrise, when they gathered at the football field bright and early one morning for breakfast and fellowship. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for a similar event at sunset (hence, senior sunset) later in May. This event is intended for the seniors (does not include parents) and faculty.

The reality: As with most social events that involve a large number of people, abiding by appropriate social distancing measures that continue to be recommended by local authorities for the near future presents our largest challenge.

The outcome: The administration will be working with the junior class officers (the group that hosts the event) to plan for a virtual opportunity to "gather" the seniors in community at sunset later this May.  More information to come.

Last School-Wide Mass with Seniors; Senior Family Mass; Baccalaureate Mass
Our goal: The administration hoped to postpone these events, rather than cancel them. Not being able to gather for Eucharistic celebrations is perhaps the hardest circumstance to face as members of a Catholic high school.

The reality: The Archbishop announced on May 1st that he has extended the existing decree which limits public liturgies to May 18th. At that time, he will determine the next best course of action with advice from staff, health professionals, and local authorities. It is possible that public liturgies will be allowed, but with similar capacity constraints as the Governor has ordered. 

The outcome: Our plan at this time is to merge these Masses into one under the title of a Baccalaureate Mass. We will reach out to the Archbishop, who was to have celebrated our Baccalaureate, to inquire about his availability. It is entirely likely that, based on graduation guidelines announced by the Governor, this Mass will be virtual in nature. Normally, senior honors convocation awards are presented at the Senior Family Mass. Because this will be merged with the Baccalaureate Mass, we will recognize these students at that time. Our goal is to celebrate this on the same date, but earlier in the day, or the evening before graduation. More on graduation later in this message.

Cap and Gown Distribution

Our goal: Typically, cap and gown packages are distributed to students at graduation practice. This would have taken place on May 22, 2020. Distribution is allowed when a student/family has met all outstanding obligations to the school. Obligations typically include:

 

Financial Obligations - All financial obligations including fees and fines must be satisfied by Friday, May 14, 2020. A student's cap and gown will be held until all accounts are paid in full. For questions related to this, please contact Chana Finch, Dean of Business Operations at [email protected] .

 

 

Detention & Saturday School Obligations - In light of the circumstances, those seniors who owe disciplinary consequences to Mrs. Segura are being granted clemency. Although it is always important to understand that justice entails consequences, we hope that students will show gratitude for the mercy they have been extended in this case. For questions related to this, please contact Adela Segura, Dean of Students at [email protected] .

 

 

Attendance Requirements - Once again, in light of the circumstances, those seniors who owe hours due to absences are being granted clemency. For questions related to this, please contact Adela Segura, Dean of Students at [email protected] .

 

 

Service Hour Requirements - Service is so important at times like these, but we recognize that one's health is likewise as important and we cannot prudently ask teenagers to put themselves at risk of exposure to a potentially life-threatening disease. We have advised students to offer service only as they see fit given their own personal circumstances. For this reason, we will not hold seniors accountable for the usual service hour requirement for graduation. For questions related to this, please contact Venezia Ramirez, Director of Christian Services at [email protected] .

 

 

Extra-Curricular Property/Dues/Obligations - All uniforms/equipment related to an extra-curricular program must be returned on the assigned collection day for seniors which will be announced at a later date. Likewise, any outstanding club dues or other obligations (i.e., National Honor Society tutoring hours) must be cleared by May 29, 2020. 

 

The reality: Many families have begun to ask for their child's cap and gown package to take family photos, which we have been making arrangements to provide as we are able (they are at school and we are not on a regular basis). It is impractical to continue to do this on an as-needed basis, while still trying to follow San Antonio/Bexar County stay at home recommendations..

The outcome: We will hold a distribution day on Saturday, May 16th for set hours during which students can come to obtain their cap and gown packages. More specific details to come about this day. There will also be another surprise for our seniors at this event. Please note that anyone with the first category of obligation (Financial Obligation accountable to Ms. Finch) will not be able to obtain their cap and gown on this day. Please do try to make financial arrangements as soon as possible! It is important to note that the gowns are rented and must be returned to our vendor, Herff Jones, so we will need to collect them immediately following the graduation ceremony. The students will be able to keep their caps and tassels.

Senior Breakfast (Omni Colonnade)
Our goal: The administration planned to postpone the Senior Breakfast, rather than cancel it. We have maintained contact with the Omni Colonnade staff and first held out hope that the event could take place as scheduled. We scheduled a postponement date of June 14th and then a second postponement date of July 12th.  

The reality:   This event is, at its heart, a social event, which presents the same issues as a dance. Even if by then, the capacity constraints were more lax, but still required social distancing measures within the facility, which is anticipated, it is likely impossible to make this event happen in a sufficiently large space and at a rate that would be feasible for both Antonian and our families given these tough economic times. 

The outcome: Because of the reality, the Antonian administration regrets to say that we will cancel the Senior Breakfast for this year.

Commencement
Our goal: This is the event that the administration most earnestly wants to do everything in our power to bring it to fruition. We are happy to say that with the new guidelines issued by the Governor, we can plan an outdoor live graduation ceremony. We are so happy we did not make a premature decision to have an alternate ceremony! Nonetheless, the guidelines impose social distancing measures, so attendance will be limited. We will work out our feasible capacity and will send more news on this. We will likewise develop a plan to livestream the event, so other family members can watch. We are looking at the first weekend in June, most likely on June 6th. We hope to gain absolute confirmation of this within a few days.

Some Additional Information

A Couple More Surprises

In addition to the list of events that have been included above, there are a couple more surprises that we have for the seniors. We hope that they will enjoy what is ahead.

Semester Exams
By now, you should have already received word through our weekly newsletter that all students will be exempted from semester exams. We know that through this trying time, they have worked hard. Some of our administrative team have sat in the video conferencing classes and we know students are engaged in learning. We are proud of their efforts in this.

College Acceptances and Commitmen t

Mr. Perritano and Mr. Hill on the college guidance side of the counseling office are still working to obtain the name of the college or university the students will commit to attend in fall 2020 by way of a survey form that was sent to student email addresses. Please encourage your student to complete this. We publish this in the graduation program. In addition, a summation of the number of all acceptances by college/university is included in the graduation program.  To account for this, the counselors need to receive all college acceptances as soon as possible.

College Scholarships

Antonian compiles a total of all scholarships offers made to our students, even from schools your child does not plan to attend. Please be sure to send this information as soon as possible to the college guidance counselors as well. 

Final Transcripts 

Any student who took a dual credit course at Antonian must request their college transcript be sent directly from St. Mary's University to the college they will attend in the fall. Counselors cannot request dual credit transcripts for students. Final high school transcripts will be sent to each student's college of first choice as provided to the counselors after grades are verified in mid-June. Students do not need to submit a final transcript request for this purpose. If you have any questions about this, please contact Steve Perritano, Director of College Guidance, at [email protected] .

We very much look forward to the day when we are able to gather with you again, which we now know should be just around the corner. It is our prayer that God will bless your families in a very special way!