Following is a text version of Mr. Arietta’s June 14, 2020 video message to the Class of 2020.
Dear Class of 2020 Seniors and Families,
Last week, I surveyed both seniors and their parents regarding their preference for one of two graduation formats, now that Governor Cuomo will allow socially distanced, outdoor ceremonies for up to 150 people starting June 26. The options were:
- Option 1 – Seven small ceremonies of 45 students on Thursday, June 25. Each student would be allowed two guests. No teachers would be present. All ceremonies would be live streamed.
- Option 2 – Three ceremonies of 100 students each on Friday, June 26. Students would not be allowed to have any guests. Some teachers would be able to attend. All ceremonies would be live streamed.
A combined total of 343 seniors and parents responded to the survey; slightly more parents voted than seniors. Option 2 received more votes overall than Option 1 (174 vs. 169), with 61% of our seniors who responded in favor of Option 2. Therefore, we will proceed with Option 2. Thank you to all who responded.
Graduation will be held on Friday, June 26 at the Tappan Zee High School’s Joseph J. Hickey Memorial Field. We will hold three, socially distanced ceremonies (10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM). The ceremonies will be spaced throughout the day to allow our District Facilities Department ample time to properly clean and sanitize. In the event of rain, the ceremonies will be moved to the same times on Saturday, June 27.
Seniors have been assigned, according to alphabetical order, to one of three ceremonies. Each ceremony will be available for viewing via public livestream. With the format now finalized, our staff is focused on the extensive logistical planning for June 26. Detailed information regarding the ceremonies, including student arrival time for each ceremony, parking arrangements, graduation portraits, cap and gown returns, etc. will be emailed to families this week. There will be no rehearsals for the ceremonies.
Any graduating seniors entering the military service or service academies who are required to report for basic training prior to June 27 should contact their school counselor by Friday, June 19.
We appreciate the patience and partnership of our seniors, parents, staff and TZHS PTSA leadership throughout this long and challenging process. Without question, each one of us would prefer a single, traditional ceremony that could accommodate the entire Class of 2020, their families, faculty, administrators and Board of Education. However, we are thankful to be able to provide our seniors with the opportunity to graduate in person with larger numbers of their classmates than originally anticipated.
I look forward to seeing the Class of 2020 at graduation!
Sincerely,
Rudy Arietta, Principal