Despite the ongoing pandemic, graduating students in Highland may still be looking forwrd to donning their caps and gowns and walking up the aisle to receive their diploma, even if they have to wait an additional month. That’s the announcement the district made last week.
The district is planning to hold a traditional outdoor graduation on Thursday, July 30, more than a month later than normal, in order to allow enough time for the region to continue to open up, following the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and many businesses in Ulster County have been closed since mid March, with students conducting their studies through online classes. Other school activities including spring sports, the prom, and the spring musical production were all canceled. But the district announced on its Facebook page last week that it plans to conduct a traditional outdoor ceremony.
“The survey results have been reviewed and all of the wonderful suggestions from seniors and parents have been considered. It was overwhelmingly clear that our students wish to have an in-person ceremony and prefer to wait until later in the summer in order to have a better chance of being able to share the experience with their classmates,” noted the post on the Facebook page. “Therefore, we have made the decision to reschedule Highland High School Graduation for the Class of 2020 to Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. (rain date of July 31). Specific details will come at a later date. As our region moves into the different phases of reopening, we will be carefully monitoring restrictions that may be in place for that time period to ensure our plans meet any requirements. There are still many unknowns, however, it was important to try our best to honor our student’s wishes. It is their moment. Please stay tuned!”
Rain date for the ceremony would be Friday, July 31.
The Wallkill Central School District is also planning on having a traditional graduation ceremony with no restrictions at the high school on June 26 at 6 p.m.
If the high school is unable to perform the ceremony on June 26, due to guidance from state and local officials, it will be rescheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 7. The rain date would be 10 a.m. on Aug. 8.
There are four options that are available for the high school to choose from on the rescheduled date of Aug. 7. Each option will be based on the most up-to-date guidance they receive from state and local officials. Option one would call for a traditional graduation ceremony at the high school with no restrictions while option two would include a traditional graduation ceremony at the high school with social distancing between graduates and only two family members allowed on the turf with each graduate. Option three would call for a traditional graduation ceremony at the high school with social distancing between graduates and no audience (a live stream of the event would be made available). The fourth option is for a drive-in graduation ceremony held off campus.
“We will make every effort to provide you with timely notification on whether the graduation ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 26, 2020 will need to be rescheduled,” Wallkill Senior High School Principal Joseph J. Salamone told parents and guardians. “The decision may not be made until the week of June 22 since we want to make every effort to hold the graduation ceremony on its originally scheduled date. If we are provided guidance prior to this date, we will notify you sooner. We will use a similar notification timeline in August, if needed.”
There will be a Moving Up Parade for the eighth graders at John G. Borden Middle School on June 25. The students’ families will line up their cars (one car per family) at Wallkill Senior High School.
Teachers and staff will be there to cheer students on as they say hello to their new school, while safely social distancing and remaining in their cars. Staff will direct students along the parade route to the middle school, where students will receive their certificates and a special edition t-shirt. Students’ names as well as any awards they have received will be announced on their arrival at the middle school.
Each elementary school in the district will have a car parade.
Plattekill’s is scheduled for June 23, Ostrander’s will take place on June 24 and Leptondale’s will occur on June 25. Each parade includes a photo scene for students as well as a gift bag. Plattekill will also have a virtual dance party on June 23.