Hi GCHS students and parents.
I had a myriad of messages on my machine this morning from unhappy parents concerning the new policy by GCHS of only accepting yearbook images next year that are taken by Root Studio from Hilliard, which is a satellite of H&R Imaging in Chicago. I would like to make two things clear concerning the latest email that is circulating from the school. The email states that we do not support the school like Root Studio.
1. Be abundantly clear, ROOT STUDIO’S INTEREST IS NOT SOLELY THE BENEFIT OF THE YEARBOOK, THEY EARN REVENUE FROM ALL ACTIVITIES THEY PHOTOGRAPH AND THE PHOTOS THEY SELL.
We have always cooperated fully with the yearbook advisor and have on many occasions, emailed over images when students have been late having their pictures taken. Not only that, but if we attend an event and photograph, we have always been willing to GIVE the school the images to use if the yearbook staff has not been able to get them. Just recently, we provided pictures to Westfall HS and have always done so to all schools who request it.
2. To say that we do not support the yearbook, is an injustice to us. We have purchased a FULL-PAGE AD IN THE YEARBOOK FOR OVER 15 YEARS. The cost is $300 per year. Two years ago, we purchased an ad that was never put into the yearbook, but when we found out, we did not make an issue of that, we merely allowed them to keep the ad money and apply it to the next year. We also, always, purchase an ad in the sports programs. We are also sponsoring the scorers' table for winter sports for the next three years. We sponsor posters for the Lady Hounds basketball team. We have supported the Band through the Band Bazaar and donate to the Scholarship Program.
Our commitment this year is over $1500. Over the years, we have funnelled TEN'S OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS into GCHS because we feel it is important to support our community.
As a final note, please be assured that we will be more than happy to provide you with SENIOR PICTURES OF YOUR STUDENT THAT YOU CAN TREASURE AND BE PROUD TO GIVE TO YOUR FAMILY. You are only obligated to have the FREE SCHOOL PICTURES taken by Root Studio.
If this policy is allowed to stand, you do not even have to travel to Hilliard to have them done. They will be at GCHS to take school pictures on December 15 and school pictures look like school pictures no matter where they are taken.
We are so very sorry that the picture in your SENIOR PICTURE IN YOUR YEARBOOK WILL NOT LOOK ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE FRESHMEN’S PICTURES.
We thank you for all you support. Especially all of you who have called and emailed. I photograph enough kids from enough schools that my concern is for you more than for my business. We will be fine. I have a great time with high school seniors and believe their senior year and pictures should be something SPECIAL.
And again, I want you all to know how sorry I am that the school has made the changes to the yearbook picture policy for the kids that require them to get their SCHOOL PICTURE from Root, aka H & R Imaging of Chicago.
What breaks my heart as an artist is that your senior year is the one year where you are free to be as creative as you wish to express, through your senior picture, who you are and what matters to you. I cannot fathom senior pictures in a public school yearbook without Varsity jackets, sports memorabilia, cars, pets, musical intstruments, and on and on. This is a right of passage and a privilege of senior status.
AS ALWAYS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE STUDENTS OF GROVE CITY HIGH SCHOOL AND WILL ASSIST THE YEARBOOK STAFF IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
Susan Wiberg
A Moment In Time Studio
