Graduation Options 1 and 2

Graduation is supposed to take place in a month. The week leading up to it should include the prom and other senior memories. It should have been the best week of her entire academic career. One of the benefits of no long homeschooling -- the grand celebrations.

We've been slowly losing these big benefits. First it was the last weekend of the school play and cast party when she would have made her senior speech, the one she has been writing for three years. Then the senior fashion show (we didn't even have a chance to pick out her dress). Then the Disney trip (stage managers are never invited unless they are also a performer, but they included Ashley). 

Yesterday we received the following message about graduation options. Neither one is very appealing. We have a couple of days to cast our votes. Meanwhile parents are already voicing their displeasure, and wondering if we can meld the two into one more acceptable solution.

The way it is worded, we are being pushed into option 1 -- basically a meet and greet photo op. If we choose option 2 and the governor bans graduation ceremonies, then all we get is a video of the yearbook. Gee thanks. Don't count on seeing alumni donations from this class for the next fifty years.

Really, really hoping they come up with a better plan.

Graduation Option 1

In researching this option, we have found a few examples that would allow us to provide you with a virtual experience that closely approximates the experience of the traditional Notre Dame Graduation Ceremony. We will be able to provide a personal and uplifting private graduation ceremony for our graduates and their quarantined family then broadcast a Notre Dame graduation live on June 7, the date of the Class of 2020 graduation.  Here is our plan:

1. During the week of May 24, each graduate will select a time through Sign-up Genius to visit our Notre Dame Campus.
2. Graduates will come to school in their graduation finest, graduation cap, graduation gown and their Notre Dame stole. Graduates may bring with them their immediate family.
3. Upon arrival, graduates and their families will process to the grotto.  Here each graduate will be taped receiving his or her individual recognition.
4. Family members will be with the student and have close up picture opportunities.
5. Graduates receiving other awards during the graduation ceremony will also receive, and be taped receiving these awards.  
6. Legacy graduates, as is our tradition, will receive their recognition from their parent or grandparent alum. If in this time of social distancing the alum can not join us on this day, the class of 2020 graduate will be able to have a parent stand-in for the missing loved one. This opportunity is unique for the Class of 2020 Graduate.
7. Upon receiving their diploma, 2020 graduates may toss their graduation cap into the air in celebration of this milestone. This is another unique opportunity we are able to afford this class. 
8. Unlike in the traditional ceremony, the graduate and their family will have an opportunity for a group photo taken by a professional photographer following the taping of their recognition.
9. Class of 2020 students in our virtual ceremony, you are welcome to decorate the top of your graduation cap. Please make sure your message is appropriate and limited to the top square of the mortarboard. The message must be in keeping with the expectations of a Notre Dame graduate. This is another unique opportunity we are able to afford this class. 

Each individual graduate video will be assembled into one, cohesive graduation ceremony to include the valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, words from our superintendent, principal and president, and music provided by our Notre Dame Performing Arts program. On Sunday, June 7 at 9:15 a.m., Fr. Jason will live stream the class of 2020 Baccalaureate Mass from our beloved Notre Dame Chapel. Directly following at 10 a.m. on our YouTube channel the Notre Dame family and guests will celebrate the class of 2020 graduation live stream from their living rooms.  

Graduation Option 2

In light of the current restrictions, we are prohibited to assemble the over 4,000 people who typically attend our indoor graduation ceremony.  In the unlikely event that Governor Murphy’s mandate allows for gatherings of 1,250 people, Notre Dame will schedule an appropriately socially distanced graduation ceremony on Notre Dame High School’s Nolan Field.  This option will only be possible based on the directives of Governor Murphy on May 15, which must provide clarity and parameters for outdoor gatherings of 1,250 persons.  

1. Graduates will be limited to 3 tickets.  
2. With the number of guests, both sets of bleachers will be used. Half of our guests will be seated on the Visitor’s side of the field and will be facing the backs of their graduates.  
3. Extra tickets will not be issued for this event. 
4. Based on current and predicted future guidelines and to ensure the safety of all attendees, graduates will need to maintain their social distance on the field. Students will not be able to process in or out of Nolan Field, nor will they approach the stage during this ceremony.  
5. Each graduate's name will be called, and graduates will stand and be recognized. 
6. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will address their class with their speeches.
7. The president and principal will address the class. .  
8. To adjust for the summer heat and the lack of shade on Nolan Field, the graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m.  

Based on the plans of our graduates and the great desire of Notre Dame to recognize this exceptional class, this option must occur no later than June 30. If we are unable to gather as a large assembly either due to the Governor’s restrictions or inclement weather, we will then provide a video graduation using students’ senior portraits.

Update: once the governor said school was closed through June 30, Notre Dame went with the first option with some modifications, but did say if the governor allows larger gatherings by early August, they will hold a senior-only football field graduation. Maybe they'll have two graduations? Gov. Murphy is supposed to make an announcement about that tomorrow. Meanwhile, we are now allowed to gather outside in groups up to 25. Hopefully that means we'll be getting some prom pictures without the prom.