May 23, 2020

Dear Senior(s) and their Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for attending our graduation walk-through and photo opportunity for our virtual commencement ceremony this last week. It was great to be able to see all the graduating seniors and be a part of the year-end celebration. I want to remind you that the commencement ceremony will be posted live on May 31st at 2pm through the following link: triadgraduation.org. As well, please be on the lookout for a manila envelope that will be coming through the postal mail the week of 5/27/20. In the envelope will be the graduates diploma, formal graduation photo, and copies of the commencement program. You should also expect an email from Voegele Photography during the week of June 1st that will include instructions to order more of these graduation formal photos along with a Class of 2020 group picture. We are proud of these graduates! Congratulations again!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the high school office.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rodney Winslow
Triad High School Principal

May 5, 2020

Dear Senior(s) and their Parents/Guardians,

As we get closer and closer to the end of the year, the excitement is building for our seniors as they reach this milestone of graduation. I hope that graduates have enjoyed their Class of 2020 yard sign placed by over 30 different staff members from Triad High School this last week. It was a joy for our staff to be able to recognize the seniors this way. Putting together a plan for a virtual commencement ceremony has not been an easy task, however, it has been an opportunity to show appreciation and acknowledgement to a very special class.

In the following letter you will find detailed information in regards to the virtual honors night, graduates receiving their diploma as they walk across the stage, graduation photo, and locker clean out procedures. I encourage you to read through these instructions and being present during the assigned date seniors have been given to walk across the stage in their cap and gown.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact any one of our high school administrative staff. I appreciate your willingness to be flexible and safe as we follow social distancing guidelines described below.

Again, congratulations to the Class of 2020 and their many accomplishments!

Sincerely,

Rodney Winslow, Ed.D.

Triad High School Principal

Virtual Honors Night

• Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00pm

• Scholarship announcements

• Special building and community honors

• A link to the stream will be at triadgraduation.org for seniors, families, and community members.

• If your student is honored this night, you will receive an invitation through the postal mail to attend the virtual event. Families should receive confirmation of their student being a part of this night by May 13th.

• Medals will be distributed to seniors during the senior stage-walking/photo schedule. Scholarship paperwork and certificates will be sent home via postal mail. Plaques will be available for pick-up at a later date.

Diploma Distribution Video

We are making plans for our seniors

• to “walk across the stage” to receive diplomas.

• Video students picking up their diplomas and turning their tassels.

• Recording the student speeches given during the ceremony.

Video plan:

• In an effort to maintain social distancing guidelines for the safety of our staff, graduates, and families, we have scheduled times for students to participate. Assigned times are set for May 12, May 13, May 14 and May 20 using the schedule linked here:

Senior Diploma Stage-Walking Schedule

• For logistical reasons, we ask all graduates to keep their scheduled time unless unavoidable conflicts require a change. If you find yourself in that situation or need to arrange for an evening appointment between 6-7pm on May 12 or May 14, please email Mr. Ackerman at joshua.ackerman@tcusd2.org.

• Graduates and their immediate family members will use the main gym entrance and check-in at the table. The graduate and immediate family members need to meet in the parking lot if driving in separate vehicles. They should then come into the gym together. Proper attire for our graduates includes dress clothes, a tie is preferred for boys with dress shoes. Please do not wear tennis shoes, sandals without ankle straps or shorts. The white collar for girls is based upon graduate preference. Graduates should be dressed in their cap and gown upon arrival to the gym.

• Immediate family is defined as those residing in your household and parents living in a different household. Extended family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. are, unfortunately, not permitted for safety reasons.

• Waiting areas and stations will be marked to allow for social distancing while families are waiting.

• State of Illinois guidelines require face-coverings when in public places and indoor spaces where six feet of social distancing is unable to be maintained.

• All graduates and their immediate family in attendance may bring their own face-covering/face mask to the diploma distribution. If a face mask is brought, graduates may remove their face-coverings prior to walking across the stage.

• Please DO NOT attend if someone is or has been recently sick. Individuals who appear ill will be denied entry.

• No family is required to participate if they are not comfortable attending. A picture of the graduate will be used for the virtual ceremony instead.

• After check-in, the graduate and their immediate family will enter the Gym.

• An explanation of the what will take place in the gym may be found by accessing the following link here:

Graduate Diploma Stage-Walking/Photo Map

• • Graduate will receive their honors night medals.

  • Graduate will be able to drop off item for Class of 2020 - Time Capsule

  • Time capsule item must be a single sheet of paper, photo, etc.

  • Graduate will walk up the left side of the gym with their immediate family following social distancing guidelines.

  • Graduate only will take the ramp to stage.

  • Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who live with the graduate are allowed to present a diploma cover to their graduate on the stage.

  • Parents should wear appropriate attire for the presentation.

  • Only two people and the graduate will be allowed on stage.

  • The parent(s)/guardian(s) should only hand the diploma to the graduate. - no handshakes or hugs. Handshaking and hugs by family members may take place after the video has been completed off of the stage.

  • A candid photo of the diploma cover being given to the graduate will be taken on the stage by our school photographer. These photo files will be given to parents free of charge in June by email.

  • Graduate will move to front of stage, use the steps to gym floor, and turn tassel on cap while on gym floor

  • Graduate and immediate family will move to the right side of the gym to take a formal graduate photo with our school photographer. A 5”x 7” copy of this photo will be given to parents with their diploma by postal mail in early June. If parents would like extra formal graduate photos, they may purchase them by using this form:

Voegele Graduation Order Form

• • Graduate will take a picture of whatever they would like at the next station. It may be a “fun picture” with family or a “Cap Toss.” These photo files will be given to parents free of charge in June by email.

  • Graduate and their immediate family will exit the building via the Gym Doors near the circle drive so the senior can grab their Chromebook, charger, and other items that need to be turned in from their vehicle.

  • In an effort to maintain everyone’s safety, please avoid assembling in groups before or after your scheduled session.

  • Senior will need to turn in textbooks, Chromebooks, outstanding fees.

  • The senior will enter the green hallway and pick up their clearance sheet.

  • Senior will clean out their locker and bring their Chromebook, charger, and other items that need to be turned in to the entrance of the cafeteria.

  • In the cafeteria a staff member will sign-off on their returned books, Chromebook and charger.

  • When their clearance sheet is complete they will go to the attendance window and turn in their clearance sheet and settle up any fees with Ms. Murray.

  • Once the clearance sheet has been turned in, the senior will exit through the main entrance.

Virtual Commencement Ceremony

In order to accommodate the editing of the videos, the Virtual Commencement Ceremony will be made live on Sunday, May 31 at 2:00pm. A link to the stream will be made available on triadgraduation.org.

Though nothing compared to a traditional graduation ceremony, we are committed to providing as much of an “experience” for our graduates as possible. The virtual ceremony will include:

• • Pomp and Circumstance

  • Class Officers Pledge of Allegiance

  • Recognition of graduates entering any branch of the military.

  • Graduates entering the military, please fill out this service form.

  • Traditional Student Speeches from the Senior Class President and Student Body President

  • Accomplishments and highlights of the Class of 2020

  • Presentation of the Class of 2020

  • Awarding of Diplomas

In-Person Commencement Option

• If the State of Illinois allows for large gatherings in the future

• A student survey will be used to determine availability for a date in mid to late July.

• Number of guests may have to be limited depending on state guidelines

Josten’s Resources

Josten’s has created virtual commencement announcements and invitations for graduates to download, edit, and share. Please clicks on the link for access:

• Virtual Commencement Announcement

• Virtual Commencement Announcement Inserts

4/28/20

Dear Senior(s) and their Parents/Guardians

We are excited to share with you news about end-of-the year events that will be set up for our seniors in the Class of 2020. During these unprecedented times, as your principal, I have been impressed with our senior’s resilience and flexibility to manage this abrupt change to the end of their high school career. This has been difficult for everyone, no doubt. I don’t want to lose sight that we are able to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. Triad is planning to have a hybrid virtual graduation for seniors on Sunday, May 31st at 2pm. If conditions change for an in-person graduation to take place on our Triad campus during the summer months, we will in addition, host a graduation ceremony for those that can attend. We need your help to create the virtual experience for seniors. During the week of May 11, seniors will be invited with their parents to come to the high school in ten minute increments in their cap and gown. Students will be videotaped as they walk across the graduation stage to receive their diploma cover. This year, we are allowing parents to hand the diploma to their child. This provides a unique experience where families can be together. They will then be photographed with their diploma cover by our school photographer. Once these videos have been created, they will then be added to other speeches and traditions for a virtual experience. More information concerning the filming schedule, social distancing guidelines, and virtual announcements for families will be sent early next week.

The last day for senior remote learning will be Friday, May 8th. There will be no 2nd-semester finals this year. Senior grades will be finalized between May 11 and May 19th. As described in the Parent Remote Learning Plan for THS, semester grades will be at least the same grade as their 3rd quarter grade if students have stayed actively engaged in their learning. Additionally, with teacher discretion, students could possibly improve their semester grade from the 3rd quarter grade based on the level of engagement they have with their learning from the 4th quarter. Seniors who have not been actively engaged with their 4th quarter work may receive an incomplete and need to work with their teacher to continue their learning. Seniors with incompletes may have till May 22nd to finish their work. It is important for all seniors to communicate with their teachers and stay actively engaged.

Honors Night will be held virtually at 7pm on Tuesday, May 19th. If your student is honored this night, you will receive an invitation through the mail to attend the virtual event. Seniors recognized during honors night will be given their medals ahead of time when they walk across the stage during the week of May 11th. They may pick up their certificates and scholarship information from the school on May 20th and 21st. Observing social distancing guidelines, seniors will need to turn in their Chromebooks, textbooks, and empty out their lockers on May 20th and 21st. Seniors will receive notice via email, the time they are allowed to enter the building during these two days. Only a small number of students will be allowed to enter the building at a time. If there are no items in senior lockers, students will be able to drop off their items via curbside drop off.

Though we are not together during these unrivaled times, we look forward to celebrating with your graduate in the coming month. They have much to be proud of. Thank you for your support and congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Sincerely,

Rodney Winslow, Ed.D.

Triad High School Principal