We also need to emphasize that part of the commencement ceremony would involve having students walk across the stage (in person and with caps and gowns) in the gym to receive their diploma cover. The plan to get this done safely and within the guidelines of social distancing is to schedule times for students and parents to come to GHS. This would be done over a few days. The schedule for students to walk across the stage will be as follows:
5/11 Monday Students with last names that begin with:
“A-BA” will arrive and begin to line up at 5:30pm
“BE-BU” will arrive and begin to line up at 6:15pm
“C” will arrive and begin to line up at 7:00pm
“D” will arrive and begin to line up at 8:00pm
5/12 Tuesday Students with last names that begin with:
“E and F” will arrive and begin to line up at 5:30pm
“G” will arrive and begin to line up at 6:15pm
“Ha - Hol” will arrive and begin to line up at 7:00pm
“Hor - J” will arrive and begin to line up at 8:00pm
5/13 Wednesday Students with last names that begin with:
“K and L” will arrive and begin to line up at 5:30pm
“Ma - Mee” will arrive and begin to line up at 6:15pm
“Men and N” will arrive and begin to line up at 7:00pm
“O, P and Q” will arrive and begin to line up at 8:00pm
5/14 Thursday Students with last names that begin with:
“R - Sell” will arrive and begin to line up at 5:30pm
“Sha - Sta ” will arrive and begin to line up at 6:15pm
“Stew - Wea” will arrive and begin to line up at 7:00pm
“Wen and Y” will arrive and begin to line up at 8:00pm
5/15 Friday 5:30 – 8:00pm
Valedictorians will arrive and begin to line up at 5:30pm we will also film their speeches at this time. Class Officers, Exchange Students, Color Guard members, will arrive and begin to line up at 6:30pm Students who were not able to make their scheduled times will arrive at 7:00pm.
• When students come to pick up their diploma cover, they would be able to invite their immediate family. Immediate family for the purpose of this event will be defined as the parents/guardians of the student, and the siblings of the student’s current household. Please do not bring other family members as we need to restrict the number of people in the building. This is for the safety of our students, staff, and their families.
• It is highly recommended that students and their family members wear masks or face coverings. Students could take their masks off while walking across the stage and having their picture taken.
• Students should wear their caps and gowns.
• Please do your best to arrive at the posted times. This helps us space the number of families out for safety and social distancing. Students would enter through the arch by the cafeteria and enter door 2 (at the main gym entrance). We would have a queue line with correct spacing set up at this location and through the hallway. When students enter the door, there will be instructions on how to proceed. Please make sure to follow the spacing set by the queue line. Balloons will mark the spacing needed between families.
Students and their families would enter the gym near the music classroom (visitor bleacher side by pop machines). Please follow the spacing set by the queue line.
At the north end of the gym the stage will be set. Students will be prompted to walk across the stage by having their names called. The student will pick up their diploma covers and walk to the end of the stage. This part of the event would be recorded for the virtual ceremony. At the end of the stage, students would get their picture taken with their diploma covers. Prior to leaving the gym, students will pick up their carnation. Please make sure to adhere to the directions given by the host, as we are limiting the number of people in the gym at one time.
Once students were finished with their picture and flower they would exit to the athletic office hallway. Students and their families would continue to walk down the athletic hallway making a right turn toward the main office. Students and their families would exit through the main doors at GHS. This would conclude this portion of the event.
Please keep in mind that we must limit the number of people in each area of the high school. We have procedures like wearing masks, spacing between families, and limits to the numbers of people in the building, to keep you and your families as safe as we can.
Sincerely,
Stan Hughes