HS Graduation Ceremonies May Lack Diplomas
Some High Schools May Not Have Diplomas in Time for Graduation Ceremonies
Dover, Del.–May 26, 2005Jostens, a Minneapolis-based company that leads the market in graduation paraphernalia including diploma certificates, diploma covers and class rings, is experiencing delays in getting graduation diplomas to schools across the country, including many of Delaware’s thirty-three high schools.
Delaware’s Department of Education (DOE) has been closely monitoring all of its high schools to determine if they have received their diplomas from Jostens.As of this afternoon, 23 high schools and the Sterck School for the Deaf have yet to receive their diplomas for this year’s graduation ceremonies.Milford High School will graduate this evening; they have received their diplomas.
Each January, DOE provides all Delaware high schools with a list of expected students who are to graduate. Each high school verifies the names, makes any corrections as needed and then forwards the information back to DOE.DOE sends the revised information to Jostens for printing of the diplomas. The high school information was forwarded to Jostens beginning in February. The diplomas are then printed and shipped directly to the high schools.
In June of 2004, Jostens announced it would move its diploma operation from Red Wing, Minnesota to Shelbyville, Tennessee. In 2005, as graduation dates loomed closer,DOE and many of Delaware’s high schools that tried to contact the printing plant were continually frustrated by a total lack of response from plant officials.High schools typically receive their diplomas from Jostens about 2-3 weeks prior to graduation. Schools need this time to sign, verify and sort all diplomas and affix the appropriate diploma seal on the document.All of Delaware’s diploma seals were hand delivered to each high school last week by DOE.
“I am quite upset that some of our students may not receive their diplomas on time,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff. “Our high school graduates have worked so hard for this special day.They deserve to have their diploma in hand.”
Josten’s pledge is to have diplomas shipped Federal Express overnight to all schools no later than five days before graduation, but that has not been the case here in Delaware.John Charlton School received their diplomas one day before graduation, while two high schools (Lake Forest and Seaford) graduate tomorrow and have yet to receive their diplomas.
Other errors from Jostens have caused diplomas to be returned. Diploma plaques ordered by Delcastle Technical High School students had the wrong superintendent signatures; they have still not received their diplomas.Paul Hodgson Vo-Tech High School ordered miniature souvenir diplomas which were error-free on the front, but had “Dade County, Florida” printed on the back.POLYTECH High School received their diplomas with the wrong signatures on them and had to be returned and reprinted. Positive Outcomes Charter School’s order was incorrect and had to be rerun, as well.
“I want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with Delaware’s recent tiered diploma legislation,” said Secretary Woodruff. “This is about Jostens’ printing plant in Tennessee that provides our schools with diplomas.”Added Secretary Woodruff, “We appreciate the help our Delaware Jostens representative has provided in trying to resolve the situation. We all hope that Jostens will be able to deliver all of our diplomas on time.”
| District/School | Forwarded to Jostens |
Graduation Date |
Diplomas Received |
| APPOQUINIMINK SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Middletown High School | 3/16/2005 | 5/29/2005 | NO |
| BRANDYWINE SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Brandywine High School | 3/1/2005 | 6/5/2005 | NO |
| Concord High School | 3/4/2005 | 6/5/2005 | NO |
| Mount Pleasant High School | 2/22/2005 | 6/5/2005 | YES |
| CAESAR RODNEY SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Caesar Rodney High School | 3/1/2005 | 6/4/2005 | NO |
| John S. Charlton School (DAPA) | 2/17/2005 | 5/20/2005 | YES |
| CAPE HENLOPEN SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Cape Henlopen High School | 3/30/2005 | 6/7/2005 | NO |
| CAPITAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Dover High School | 4/14/2005 | 6/1/2005 | NO |
| CHRISTINA SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Christiana High School | 3/1/2005 | 6/8/2005 | NO |
| Glasgow High School | 4/13/2005 | 6/7/2005 | NO |
| Newark High School | 3/3/2005 | 6/6/2005 | NO |
| Delaware Autism Program (DAPA) | 3/1/2005 | 6/9/2005 | YES |
| Sterck School (DE School for the Deaf) | 4/13/2005 | 6/9/2005 | NO |
| COLONIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| William Penn High School | 3/11/2005 | 6/3/2005 | NO |
| John G. Leach School (DAPA) | 3/15/2005 | 6/2/2005 | YES |
| DELMAR SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Delmar Senior High School | 3/11/2005 | 6/3/2005 | YES |
| INDIAN RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Indian River High School | 2/25/2005 | 6/1/2005 | NO |
| Sussex Central Senior High School | 3/3/2005 | 5/31/2005 | NO |
| Howard T. Ennis School (DAPA) | 2/25/2005 | 6/9/2005 | YES |
| LAKE FOREST SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Lake Forest High School | 3/3/2005 | 5/27/2005 | NO |
| LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Laurel Senior High School | 2/25/2005 | 6/2/2005 | NO |
| MILFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Milford Senior High School | 2/25/2005 | 5/26/2005 | YES |
| NEW CASTLE COUNTY VO-TECH SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Delcastle Technical High School | 3/1/2005 | 6/2/2005 | NO |
| Hodgson (Paul M.) Vo-Tech High | 2/24/2005 | 6/1/2005 | YES |
| Howard High School of Technology | 2/17/2005 | 5/31/2005 | YES |
| POLYTECH SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Polytech High School | 2/17/2005 | 5/27/2005 | YES |
| RED CLAY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Alexis I. duPont High School | 3/11/2005 | 6/4/2005 | YES |
| John Dickinson High School | 4/5/2005 | 6/4/2005 | NO |
| Thomas McKean High School | 4/21/2005 | 6/4/2005 | NO |
| Calloway (Cab) School of the Arts | 3/1/2005 | 6/3/2005 | NO |
| SEAFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Seaford Senior High School | 4/5/2005 | 5/27/2005 | NO |
| SMYRNA SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Smyrna High School | 3/1/2005 | 6/4/2005 | NO |
| SUSSEX TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Sussex Technical High School | 2/25/2005 | 6/2/2005 | YES |
| WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT | |||
| Woodbridge Senior High School | 3/1/2005 | 6/5/2005 | NO |
| CHARTER SCHOOLS | |||
| Charter School of Wilmington | 3/11/2005 | 6/4/2005 | NO |
| Positive Outcomes Charter School | 3/11/2005 | 5/27/2005 | YES |
| Campus Community School | 2/17/2005 | 6/4/2005 | NO |
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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