GHS NEWS

Below is the complete transcript of the announcement made on the GHS website concerning 2020s commencement ceremony:

May 17, 2020

Good Afternoon Gloucester High School Seniors, Parents, Guardians & Families:

This communication comes to you as a follow-up to my initial communication last week regarding commencement exercises for our Senior Class of 2020. As you know, we are facing some of the most unique and unforeseen circumstances in recent history. Regardless, our team at GHS remains committed to providing an outstanding and memorable experience for the Class of 2020.

I am excited to let you know that after a few weeks of planning and brainstorming – our team has developed our plans for the commencement exercises, scheduled for the week of June 15, 2020. Our plans have many moving parts and follow the current health and safety guidelines set forth by Governor Northam. At the same time, our plans will allow each student the priceless opportunity to walk across the graduation stage to receive his/her diploma and celebrate with his/her family. The moment will also be captured by professional photographers and our school division will be creating a feature video (highlighting the Class of 2020) which will air at a later date to be determined on Channel 47 and on social media outlets.

Listed below are the details you need to know to participate in our 2020 commencement exercises. Please read over these details carefully as it is important that these are followed:

As stated previously, our commencement exercises will occur during the week of June 15, and will span over that entire week. Each senior will have an individual appointment and will be given a specific date and time during that week indicating when he/she will need to arrive at GHS. The individual appointment dates and times will be shared with seniors and families by the end of this week. In addition, please denote the following:

- Seniors should arrive wearing formal attire under their caps and gowns.

- Each senior is allowed to be joined by his/her parents or guardians.

- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Arriving late to your scheduled appointment could disrupt the schedule of the event for all of our seniors. This is very important to help this run smoothly and allows us to adhere to social distancing and gathering guidelines as prescribed by Governor Northam.

As you enter the parent loop parking lot, a staff member will direct you where to park. After parking, please stay in your vehicle until a staff member directs you to enter the building. After checking in inside GHS, the excitement begins! Seniors, upon our direction, will have the opportunity to cross the graduation stage and receive their diplomas. Parents and guardians will have the chance to witness these once-in-a-lifetime moments. As stated earlier, professional photographers will be on hand to photograph our seniors as they cross the graduation stage. Our photographers will also be able to take photos with the graduate and parents after the student has walked off the stage. Please keep in mind that this process will be fast-paced, so plan accordingly. Once photographs are complete, seniors will visit a final table to pick up a few mementos from GHS and then a GHS staff member will direct family members back to their vehicles.

While this year’s Graduation ceremony certainly does not resemble graduation ceremonies of the past, we have an opportunity to create a legacy that is entirely unique to this year’s senior class! The challenge we face each day is to make the best out of every situation we encounter, and I know this community will rise to the occasion! I know that our “ONE Duke Family” will come together and make this a graduation that will never be forgotten!

As we work through this process, I do ask that you please be patient and adhere to all of the rules and regulations that will be put in place on-site. Please know that all requirements being put in place are for your safety as well as the safety of others.

I look forward to seeing all of our seniors and parents/guardians at the scheduled appointment times. It will truly be an honor to celebrate and recognize each senior in such a special way! In closing, please feel free to contact us if you have any specific questions.

Sincerely,

Craig Reed, Ed. D.

Principal, Gloucester High School