Class of 2020 Graduation Details
Good afternoon Class of 2020 and families,
Please take a few minutes to read through the details of the Class of 2020 graduation that are included in this message. Please keep in mind that I am trying to answer as many questions as possible about graduation.
As a reminder, seniors who have met all graduation requirements and have no financial obligations will pick up several items at Hand on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Seniors should arrive at 8:30 a.m. in a vehicle and drive under the bridge. At no time will seniors exit their vehicles. There will be three stops during this event, the first will be to pick up the pre-ordered brunch, the second will be to pick up cap/gown/mask/yearbook/senior awards/etc., and the third and final stop will be for a brief discussion (from the vehicle) with Mr. Bodner and Mrs. Whitcher to ensure the correct pronunciation of each student's name when it is read during graduation. Seniors are invited to park in the front lot of Hand to enjoy their senior brunch while remaining in their vehicles.
Graduation is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2020. The rain date for this event is Friday, June 19, 2020. As detailed in earlier communication, each family is allowed one vehicle per graduate. As a courtesy to all graduates and their families, only vehicles that seat 7 or fewer will be allowed to attend the event so that the view from other vehicles in not blocked. Decorating vehicles and caps is encouraged for this special event and for the parade that will take place at the end of the ceremony.
See below for information specific to the graduation ceremony.
Parking:
- During the distribution of materials on June 16th, seniors will receive a form that includes their name and a specific parking space number. This form is required and must be placed on the vehicles dashboard to be granted access to graduation on June 18th. There will be an additional and smaller card given to all seniors on the 16th. This form details each student's name and has a number on it. Seniors, please be sure to bring this to graduation. (More to come on the use of this card below.)
- The Daniel Hand and Polson parking lots will be shut down on Wednesday, June 17th in the early morning to allow for the necessary preparations for this event.
- In the spirit of open communication, please know that a tow truck will be onsite. If any vehicles are parked without an invitation or in the incorrect space, they will be towed away at the owner's expense. A graduate/family involved in this unfortunate circumstance will forfeit their invitation to participate in the graduation ceremony.
- Parking will be organized and managed by Madison Public School employees and members of the Madison Police Department.
- Graduates/families should arrive in one vehicle at 5:00 p.m. and drive into the Daniel Hand driveway where you will meet with Madison Public School employees for check-in. After the initial check-in, you will proceed under the bridge and loop around where you will meet with an administrator by the flagpole at the front entrance. From there, you will be directed to a specific staff member to ensure your vehicle is parked in the correct location. Parking in the correct space will ensure student names are read accurately during the graduation ceremony. Once parked, remain in your vehicle until the event begins.
- If windows in vehicles are closed, masks are not required.
- If windows in vehicles are open, masks are required.
- The event will begin soon after all graduates/families vehicles are in the assigned parking spaces.
Graduation:
- Audio during the event will be in two forms. One will be through a standard sound system with speakers that will be heard by all attendees if windows in vehicles are open. A FM transmitter will also be used allowing attendees to tune in to a specific radio station during the event. The specifics of the station will be shared with you when you arrive at the event.
- The Daniel Hand High School Administration and Superintendent of Schools will be on the stage. The total number of staff on the stage has been reduced significantly to ensure proper social distancing. All staff positioned on the stage will be wearing a mask unless they are speaking at the podium.
- A summary of the event is as follows:
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Playing of America the Beautiful (MP3)
- Greetings and Speeches from students
- Speech by the Principal
- Presentation of Candidates
- Vehicle Parade led by the Madison Police Department
Per the order detailed above, after the Principal delivers a brief speech, Daniel Hand Security personnel will invite 5 students, in order, to the stage. Students will exit their vehicles, walk (while social distancing) to the shed, and line up in order. Students should bring the small name card with their number as they approach the stage so they can check with their peers in front and behind them to ensure they are in the proper order. Tiger Paws will be painted on the sidewalk to ensure each student maintains at least six feet of distance between the student in front of and behind them. As a new and hopefully exciting addition to this event, two family members per graduate will also be invited to walk with their graduate to the shed. Once at the shed, the two family members will continue to an area in front of the stage that will allow for an excellent photo and/or video opportunity. These areas will be marked by painted tiger paws. Please be sure that the camera for the livestream and recording of this special event is not interfered with during this process. Also be sure that the professional photographer is not interfered with during this family photo/video opportunity. Seniors and family members will be required to wear a mask as they approach the stage and when they are out of their vehicles. For this purpose, a black mask with a tiger paw will be included this year with the cap and gown for the graduate.
While preparing to walk across the stage:
- Seniors, be sure the tassel is hanging on the right side of your cap as you approach the stage.
- Security personnel will check with each student as they approach the stage to ensure the order is accurate as well as reminding each graduate of social distancing expectations.
- Mr. Bodner or Mrs. Whitcher will read the name of each graduate. Just before each name is read, the graduate should be on the top level of the stage waiting for their name to be called. Once their name is called, the name card can be discarded or saved.
- If a student's name is read incorrectly or if the name does not match the student, we ask the student to stop at the podium to inform Mr. Bodner or Mrs. Whitcher, and we will correct the error.
- Students will walk across the stage and pick up their diploma case that will be on a table. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, I will not be able to shake the hand of each graduate this year.
- A professional photographer from Lifetouch will be onsite and will take an individual photo of each graduate as they cross the stage. Students have the choice to remove their mask while walking across the stage but we ask that the mask be put back on as soon as you exit the stage. We upgraded the 5x7 size of the photo to 8x10. This photo will be mailed to each family a few weeks after the event.
- When the last student of the Class of 2020 is announced, all graduates will be asked to move the tassel on their cap, with their left hand, from the right to the left to signify their graduation.
- Tossing caps is not allowed (due to the potential to damage vehicles or injuring attendees), but I suggest at this point, all vehicles honk horns and flash headlights in tribute of the Class of 2020.
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, Madison Public Schools staff will assist in the safe dismissal and exit of all vehicles. This dismissal will be an invitation for all participants to join a parade led by the Madison Police Department. I anticipate that the parade will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. The parade route is detailed below.
- Right out of Daniel Hand
- Right onto Copse Road
- Left onto Fort Path Road
- Left onto Meeting House Lane
- The parade will conclude at the Green.
I am excited to provide our graduates with an opportunity to assemble as a class one last time while wearing their cap and gown and walking across the stage as their name is read and celebrated. Again, please feel free to decorate caps and vehicles. I do apologize for the long email but I am trying to share as much information as possible to ensure this is a memorable event for our graduates, their families, our staff, and the community.
I am looking forward to seeing the Class of 2020 this evening, tomorrow morning, and of course, on Thursday.
Stay healthy,
Mr. Salutari