FFA Memorials

MEMORIALS

The Board recognizes that when a school community experiences the sudden death of a student or staff member, it is important to the school community and to those who are personally affected by the death to acknowledge the event.  Additionally, certain traumatic events occurring on a local, state or national level may also give rise to the need for school unit acknowledgment through appropriate activities.  Requests from students, staff, parents or others for remembering or memorializing a person or event may be approved by the Board, superintendent or designee, subject to the provisions of this policy. 

The Board recognizes that remembrances of flowers, personal messages and mementos are often created at lockers, parking spaces and other areas on district property upon such losses or events.  

Schools may observe a moment of silence in memory of the individual or in recognition of certain traumatic events as deemed appropriate by the superintendent or designee.  Additional district counseling services may be made available to provide support.  Deaths will not be announced or memorialized on reader boards.   

School will not be dismissed early or cancelled on the day of a memorial or funeral service unless approved by the Superintendent. 

Memorials may be permitted at the discretion of the building principal. The building principal will consult with the family of the deceased, as appropriate.  The display of all remembrances will be temporary in nature, removed in a timely manner and offered to the family. 

Contributions may be made to a general scholarship fund established by the school unit memorializing a member or members of the school community or in memory or recognition of certain events. 

Requests may be made to memorialize an individual or event in school yearbooks, at graduation ceremonies and other district activities.    Activities that will not detract from scheduled classroom or school activities, or the celebration of student accomplishments may be permitted, with prior building principal approval.  Activities or events may be rescheduled or cancelled with prior superintendent approval only. 

In considering memorial activity requests, school administrators will balance memorializing or commemorating the individual or event on the one hand with avoiding creating an atmosphere that glamorizes a traumatic event or self-destructive behavior on the other.                                                           

Items may be accepted by the district in memory of an individual or event with Board approval only.  The Board will consider any maintenance costs to the district of such gifts.  Items received become the property of the district and will be used for the purpose for which they were donated. 

Flags may be lowered only in accordance with state and federal law.  District property (e.g., buildings, rooms, fields, gymnasiums, etc.) may be named or renamed to memorialize an individual with Board approval only. 

The Board will be considered the use of district property for memorial services in accordance with Board policy KF – Community Use of School Facilities and applicable administrative procedures. 

Cross Reference:       EBCA – Emergency Management Plan

                                    FF – Naming of Facilities

                                    KCD – Public Gifts/Donations to the Schools

                                    KF – Community Use of School Facilities 

 

Adopted:  March 24, 2025