May 29, 2020
Dear North Hunterdon Class of 2020 and Parents/Guardians:
We recognize that this has been an emotional time for the Class of 2020 and we sincerely thank you for being patient and bearing with us as we continue to review the ever-changing guidance and restrictions on graduation ceremonies. We want to provide you with an update on where things stand at this point in time and how we will honor the Class of 2020.
As you heard on Tuesday, May 26th, Governor Murphy announced that in-person graduation ceremonies would be allowed on or after July 6, 2020. The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) then posted further guidance late on Wednesday, May 27th that put limitations on that announcement.
We were disappointed to read the NJDOE’s guidance that in-person ceremonies are subject to the restriction on social gathering size in place at the time of the ceremony. Right now, outside gatherings can be no more than 25 people. Though that will most likely change by July 6th, it is unlikely that the social gathering size will be increased to 450 people in order for us to hold an in-person ceremony with all graduates in attendance, without including parents. Therefore, multiple ceremonies would have to be planned.
To clarify, at this time only virtual ceremonies and drive-in or drive-thru ceremonies can be planned prior to July 6th. While we discussed holding a drive-in ceremony (similar to a drive-in movie), we determined that we cannot safely and effectively provide a quality graduation ceremony in this format given the restrictions, which also includes no idling of cars.
You can review the NJDOE’s guidance on graduation ceremonies here: https://www.nj.gov/education/covid19/boardops/commencement.shtml. Plans for an in-person ceremony must be submitted to and approved by the NJDOE.
We have received feedback from numerous seniors, parents and have reviewed the responses from the graduation survey, which were split equally among the three options provided. We also engaged in discussions with multiple stakeholders. In consideration of all of the above, we have decided to honor the Class of 2020 as follows (these plans are subject to change if new guidance is received).
- On June 5th, seniors will receive their cap and gown upon return to the high school to clean out lockers and return textbooks and Chromebooks. Honor cords and sashes will also be provided. Unfortunately yearbooks will not be delivered before the end of the school year. We will send out a notice when they are delivered and available for pick up.
- During the week of June 8th, administration will personally deliver to each senior’s home a personalized lawn sign with his/her photo, courtesy of the PTSA, and their diploma certificate with cover. Delivery schedule to be determined.
- On June 12th, to mark what was the official day of graduation and so that we can honor every graduate in the Class of 2020 all together as one, we will air a virtual ceremony online at 12:00pm. The virtual ceremony will mirror the traditional ceremony with speeches from administration, top students in the class, and the reading of each graduate’s name with his/her photo displayed.
- We will plan in-person ceremonies to occur on or after July 6th. If the entire Class of 2020 cannot be accommodated in one ceremony per social gathering restrictions, we will plan multiple ceremonies at the high school. Dates, times, size limits and format of the ceremony to be determined.
We recognize that our decision will not please everyone, but please know that our goal since day one has been to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2020 to the best extent possible following the restrictions in place. We do not want June 12th to pass without some recognition of the Class of 2020. We look forward to planning in-person ceremonies in July to gather our graduates together one last time.
Again, we appreciate your patience as we work to solidify graduation plans among the ever-changing guidance from the state. If any of the above plans change, we will let you know.
Sincerely,
Greg Cottrell, Ed.D.
Principal
North Hunterdon High School
