Important Graduation & Senior Celebration Information

I am pleased to announce our plans for the CCHS Graduation ceremony that will allow for a long-overdue celebration of the Class of 2020.  Several weeks ago, we surveyed students with three options to consider for commencement exercises (Drive-in, virtual, or socially distanced with no spectators).  Garnering nearly eight-out-of every ten votes, students selected the socially distanced option with no spectators. We were waiting for official approval from state and local leaders to move forward, and I am excited to say approval has arrived.  

At that point, without approval, we could not broadcast plans that were simultaneously underway that could potentially allow for limited spectators at the Graduation ceremony.  We have faith in our students and feel strongly that we can plan a safe, celebratory graduation with limited spectators.  Our patience and planning have paid off.  

Please read the information below on the Graduation ceremony including the information from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  

In the coming weeks, a future correspondence will provide additional details on the graduation ceremony, but it is essential we save the date and provide information so families can plan.   Please note, all plans are subject to change if circumstances change or if state and/or town rules and regulations change.  

Graduation

Date:

• 19 July
• This is the first day an outdoor ceremony is allowed.
•  The ceremony must be outside, so rain date(s) will be the entire week of 20 July.  

Time:  

• 9:00am
• This may change if held during the week due to rain.  

Spectators: 

• Each graduate will receive two tickets for their family.  
• School personnel will also be in attendance.  

Additional Details:  

• Everyone will maintain social distancing and wear masks.  
• We purchased masks for students.  
• The ceremony will be broadcast live by Minuteman Media Network.  

As noted, future correspondence will provide detailed information on the graduation ceremony.  

Student Masks Are Provided

Likely not a single person around the globe escaped some form of impact by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Everything is relative, and COVID-19 has gradations of impact, but as noted in a previous blog post, few have suffered more than the Class of 2020. Although a graduation ceremony with limited spectators is not the exact model we are accustomed to, it is the best we can do under the conditions. We are so excited for this day to come.

Additional information celebrating seniors is below.  

Senior Exit Survey
Seniors, please complete the survey for the Guidance Department.  
https://forms.gle/gcAgAoSaYyLQVWo86



Senior Parade
Due to the rainy forecast Saturday, we decided to CHANGE the DATE of our Senior Parade. 

Please plan to join us on SUNDAY 31 May, from 4:15 - 5:30 pm. We will send out a detailed email about logistics for all participants later this week. All CCHS seniors and their family members are welcome. 

Please sign up on this Google Form by noon on Friday, 29 May, if you plan to join us. Once you have registered, you will receive an Evite where you can see who else will be at the parade, and add/access photos after the event.

Here is the FAQ document for seniors and families, which should address most of your questions about the parade. Seniors, you can email jcottonherman@concordcarlisle.org or anyamekye@concordps.org directly if you have any questions about your participation. We especially wish to hear from any senior who wants to attend but is dealing with transportation challenges. We will do all we can to help you be a part of this special event.

We can't wait to celebrate all of you this SUNDAY at CCHS. We hope to see you there!

With congratulations from all of us at CCHS.  

Senior Awards
A virtual ceremony will take place on 9 June.  All students and families receiving an award will receive an email invitation.     

Graduate Lawn Signs- We delivered lawn signs to all Graduating seniors.  

Tote Bags
We are in the process of ordering our version of a CCHS "swag bag." We plan to fill them with small items and arrange for a pickup in June of student records, cap and gown, and other things.  Details and the date to follow soon.  


Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Graduation Guidance

On Thursday, 21 May, DESE sent districts guidelines developed in conjunction with the Department of Public Health about high school graduation ceremonies (download). High school graduations are an important ceremony in the lives of the graduate and their loved ones. High school graduation ceremonies should proceed with the following schedule and guidelines:

• Ceremonies held between now and Saturday, 18 July should be held virtually or in extremely limited other circumstances following safety protocols (e.g., car parades).
• Ceremonies held beginning Sunday, 19 July may take place OUTSIDE under the standards outlined in the guidance and assuming the public health data supports the continued opening of our state.

As an agency, DESE would also like to make a special effort to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. As graduation time approaches, please encourage the high school community, particularly teachers, to share highlights about the graduating class on social media with the hashtag #ThatsMyStudentMA and tag the DESE account at @MASchoolsK12 on Twitter or @MassachusettsDESE on Facebook. The Department hopes to feature a rotating display of photos of the class of 2020 (from before the school closures) on our homepage and welcomes photo submissions from schools and districts. Please add them to the online folder and include the district in the file name as soon as possible.
 
In addition, Governor Charlie Baker, in partnership with WGBH, will deliver a commencement address to the Class of 2020 as part of a celebration for graduating seniors that will be broadcast at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, 9 June. In addition to the Governor’s remarks, the event will feature congratulatory messages from local celebrities, a performance by members of the Boston Pops Orchestra, and a speech by students.

A Message to your Graduating Seniors from Congresswoman Lori Trahan

Registering to Vote Read Congresswoman Lori Trahan's letter to Seniors here