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Rich Township
High School District 227
20550 S. Cicero Avenue
Matteson, IL 60443
Telephone: 708.679-5800
Fax: 708.679-5733
www.rich227.org

Date: May 12, 2020

To: Board of Education

From: Dr. Johnnie Thomas
Re: Executive Summary (Confidential)

Communications

In April 2020, the Communications Department at Rich Township High School District 227
finalized and distributed the April 2020 Newsletter which announced new district initiatives for the
2020-21 school year, collaborated with Educational Services, Business Office, and Human
Resources Department to develop and distribute multiple crisis communications documents in
response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and worked closely with Educational Services
Office to identify how the District will commemorate its senior classes from Rich Central, Rich
East, and Rich South. The Communications Department also collaborated with Global 360
Marketing to execute multiple projects in response to the COVID-19 crisis, including the April
2020 newsletter, planning for end-of-year activities, and videography for other related crisis
communications.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, end-of-year ceremonies for the Class of 2020 at each Rich
Township High School campus will be conducted in a virtual format rather than in-person. This
significant change caused the previously established plans for graduation and prom to be altered to
prioritize the health and safety of our students, families, staff, and community. The District
surveyed senior students and established a graduation committee (staff only) to help determine the
most favorable graduation ceremony. Many students were in favor of a contactless or delaying the
ceremony until social distancing guidelines are relaxed. Committee members supported a
contactless ceremony to best protect students, families, and staff during this pandemic. In May
2020, the Communications Department, in partnership with the Educational Services Office and
Global 360 Marketing, will finalize plans for the Class of 2020 graduation.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/EDUCATOR