Important Graduation Information

As outlined in a previous blog post, we are thrilled the state is permitting an in-person graduation ceremony and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.  A collective experience that comes with a shared responsibility to ensure it is safe, orderly, and joyous.  

In a typical year, we would rehearse with the students multiple times.  Like so many other moments, it was simply not possible.  Organizers of graduation did a walkthrough today, and I am providing some essential details for graduates.  Most, but not all, of this information was included in a previous blog post, so please read all the information below carefully. 

As customary, after the speeches, we will read the names of all graduates.  Students received their diplomas in June, and tomorrow they will receive the accompanying sleeve for their diploma. This process will be contactless.  We will call students by row and they will line up to the left of the stage. There will be cones spaced 6 feet apart designating where to stand.  The sleeves for the diplomas will be on a table to the left of the stage.  Students need to grab one while waiting for their name to be called.  

I) The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 will occur tomorrow, 19 July, at 9:00 am.  Due to the forecast, we may begin the ceremony early.  The last arrival time for guests is 8:20, so once all guests are seated, the ceremony will begin.  

a) Personal Items 
Programs, masks, and one bottler of water will be located below the seats when you arrive. Please arrive with your own mask. You are welcome to bring a hat, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer, but please do not bring an umbrella as it will restrict the view of other guests.  

b) Arrival Time
Please arrive at the appropriate time (see below)


c) Each graduate is permitted two guests
Additional guests are not permitted, and seats are not available. The grandstands are for CCHS staff only.  


d) All attendees are required to wear a mask

The Governors Office and the Massachusetts Department of Education require all attendees wear a mask.  Masks for students are provided and will be placed on their seats.  Please wear a mask upon entry to the facility.


d) Graduation Seating

All students received their seating assignments on Thursday.  All chairs are labeled. Graduates and their two guests will be seated in triads on the turf of the stadium field.  

e) Dismissal
Following the graduation ceremony, graduates and guests will be dismissed by row to proceed back to their vehicles. Please exit through the same entrance you arrived through. No one is allowed to congregate on the field following the ceremony.

f) Graduation Parking

To maintain proper social distancing, all graduates and families are required to arrive at their given time and park in their assigned location as designated in this document.  The location number corresponds to the graphic above.

g) Graduation Pictures
For proper social distancing, all graduates and guests must remain in their assigned seats during the ceremony.  Graduates will be called up one row at a time to receive their diplomas.  Students received their official diploma in June.  At the graduation ceremony, they will retrieve the corresponding sleeve that houses the diploma from the table.  

h) Graduate PicturesA professional photographer will be on-site to take pictures.  Guests may not approach the stage to take a picture.  The professional photographs will be available following graduation. Details to access the images will be emailed at a later date.


i) Ceremony: Live Broadcast, Streamed, Youtube

• Graduation will be covered live on both MMN and WIQH.  On MMN, it will be on Channel 9 and 99, and also streaming video at www.concordma.gov/MMN.  WIQH will broadcast the ceremony on 88.3 FM in the Concord area, and streaming (sound only) online at WIQH.org
• Both WIQH and MMN will provide live coverage of the graduation exercises 
• MMN will rebroadcast the festivities at multiple later dates on Channel 99, and will also make it available on www.concordma.gov/MMN for streaming via their "on-demand" button
• The ceremony can be viewed on their Youtube channel. For further information, contact MMN at MMNetwork@concordma.gov,  telephone  978-369-5038

j) Arrival Times