A school commemoration is intended to bring closure to a period of grieving and serves as a point from which to move on. A trauma informed approach will ensure that all students and staff can return to their focus of learning and teaching. Prior to any commemorative activities or events occurring in any of Newark school buildings, a Commemoration Request Form must be completed and submitted to the NCSD Superintendent for review by the Commemoration Committee.

Commemorations

A commemoration is a way for a school community to recognize and reflect on a person in a respectful and meaningful way. Commemorations should reflect the multifaceted needs of the school community; balancing the needs of the moment (to remember and to comfort), with the needs of the many (to heal and return to daily living and learning) and the needs over time (to consider precedents being set) while being respectful to the deceased individual and their family.

For each commemoration, it is important to think about the precedent that is being set and the long-term implications:

• Can commemoration be equitable to all future deaths?
• Will the commemoration be a secondary trigger of grief or trauma to members of the school community?
• Does the commemoration support the TIG lens of returning the school community to normal routines and support the “needs of the many”?

It is recommended that:

• Commemorations will be permitted for students/staff who were enrolled/employed at the time of the death.
• The commemoration will wait until the immediate impact of the loss has subsided but will occur within a calendar year.
• If a temporary location for commemoration is established (i.e. student’s locker or desk) items left will be offered to the family after one week.
• Allow student and staff opportunities to attend services within the community.
• Within the classroom, activities that address the loss will be conducted as is developmentally appropriate, with the support of TIG/BHT.

Commemoration Committee

The Commemoration Committee, (Newark District leadership in collaboration with TIG Coordinators will review all proposed commemorations, in memory of a student or staff member.

• Newark Central School reserves the right to accept or reject any and all commemorations donated or purchased in memory of a student or staff member.
• Commemoration in existence at the time these guidelines are adopted, whether in compliance with these guidelines or not, may be removed and offered to the family.
• All commemorations will be privately funded.

Suggested options include:

• Contributions made to the organizations designated by the family, i.e. Cancer Society, MADD, local charities, etc.
• Scholarships established in the name of the deceased student/staff.
• Donation of library books, school supplies and equipment with the approval of Newark District leadership. Donated books may include a book plate and equipment may include an engraved plate no larger than two by six inches. Wording on the plates will be limited to “Donated in Memory of” or “In Memory of” and the student/staff member’s legal name, and year of donation. Any engraved plate other than bookplates may be removed and offered to the family.

Unacceptable commemorations include those which may:

1. Violates state and federal guidelines (for example Title IX).
2. Alter the conduct of a regular school instructional day, school activities & schedule, or school related events.
3. Require the retirement or discontinued use of school property. This may include such items as monuments, sports apparel/equipment, statues, benches, etc.
4. Infringe on the separation of church and state.
5. Require the use of public funds for purchase, development or maintenance beyond the normal care and maintenance of school properties.
6. Any item that is permanently affixed to the building (i.e. plaques).
7. Depict any item with a photo of the deceased (with the exception of Yearbook, see below).
8. Portray any other item which the Commemoration Committee determines is not in alignment with the spirit of the Guidelines or appropriate for the situation being considered.

Yearbook Guidelines

1. Appropriate recognition may be designated within the yearbook for all student/staff members who have died during the school year. The deceased student/staff will have a picture of the same size, located in the same place and order within the yearbook. “In memoriam” will be added under the student/staff member’s legal name. In the case of a senior, the other information submitted for the senior may be included (i.e. nickname, favorite memory, extra-curricular activities, quote).
2. If there is a death after the printing of the yearbook and the student has not graduated, the student’s picture may appear in the next year’s yearbook with “In memoriam” added under the student/staff member’s legal name. If the student was enrolled in high school, the student’s picture may appear in the anticipated graduation year’s yearbook upon consultation with the student’s family. If offered, family will be able to purchase additional pages that are offered for family acknowledgement.

Graduation

1. Graduation is a time to recognize the many years of work and achievement of all students in the graduating class.
2. Any student who dies during their senior year may be acknowledged at graduation (with parent and administration approval) prior to the conferring of diplomas for the graduating class. The family will be contacted and offered tickets to graduation for family members.
3. If a diploma/posthumous diploma is to be awarded, it will be presented to the family by a staff member in a private ceremony. Non-familial students should not be involved in the presentation.
4. In the case of any students who have died during their high school career, their parent/guardian will be responsible for requesting that they be acknowledged in a similar fashion at the time of graduation of their class.

Notice of Contact Information

Family members of deceased students/staff members are encouraged to inform the school of any address changes so that the Newark School District may stay in contact with family regarding any commemorations. Only applies if commemoration is approved.