Message from Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry
April 2, 2020
Queen Creek High School Senior Students,
As you probably know, Governor Ducey has canceled school through the end of the 2019-20 school year. I am very sorry that your senior year is ending in this fashion. We are experiencing uncertain times and the COVID-19 pandemic is heartbreaking for so many reasons. While I wish I had reassurances or answers about senior activities (graduation, etc), I do not. However, I can tell you that we will continue to work, ask questions, and look for solutions in order to celebrate you and your accomplishments. Although the following message does not provide definite answers, solutions, and guarantees, I wanted to take a moment to convey my perspective on your situation and send a genuine message of encouragement during this unprecedented time.
First, please remember that most of us have never experienced this level of disruption and uncertainty in our lifetime. Throughout our country, families and community members are facing economic challenges. They are concerned about the safety/health of their family members and are experiencing disappointment for a variety of reasons. I do not know your emotions, but I wanted you to know that I truly care about you and your family. As each day unfolds and new changes occur, I immediately think about our QCUSD students and families, especially our QCHS seniors and your senior commencement ceremony. Again, I want you to know that QCHS graduation plans are unknown, but I also want you to know that our staff is committed to affording students some sort of graduation ceremony if our pandemic situation improves and social distancing advisories are lifted. We do not have details and, as always, we would work with your site administration and student council in the event a feasible graduation opportunity presents itself later.
In the meantime and during school closure, our staff is working on a few projects and I have listed a few below that I hope you appreciate. Please look for two emails from
queen-creek-schools@qcusd.org and respond with your information and assignment. We need this information soon.
- Individual social media post
- Senior hoodie/sweatshirt
- Senior tribute video
As a father of a senior student myself, I am much like your own parents/guardians. That is, I am filled with excitement for you and I am proud of your hard work and dedication toward your passion. Your end-of-year senior activities, traditions, and celebrations have been disrupted and I am very sorry that we are in this situation. I am also trying to keep things in perspective and I want to encourage you to do the same. Please remain patient, cautious, and safe while maintaining a healthy perspective about your bright future and the current problems facing our society. If you are disappointed, please do not let this emotion turn into discouragement.
Instead, remain optimistic, thankful, and focused on your future, with or without the certainty of a QCHS graduation ceremony.
Remember, in a few short months, you will leave Queen Creek High School as the senior graduating class of 2020 and one that I will not soon forget. This COVID-19 pandemic will not interfere with the lessons you have learned over the past thirteen years and I want to encourage you to use these lessons to make your own path. But before you do, it seems as if life has a few more lessons in store for all of us and I want you to know that you have a team of educators behind you and working to make the best of a bad situation.
Stay safe and stay strong! #2020strong
Sincerely,
Perry Berry, Ed.D. Superintendent
