***UPDATE: Thank you for your comments and concerns. We recognize that these plans are not ideal. However, this does not rule out the possibility of having a more traditional ceremony. District leaders have been tasked with making difficult decisions in these unprecedented times, keeping the safety of students and the community in mind. Once the CDC guidelines have been lifted to allow for gatherings of 500 or more, the district plans to revisit a traditional graduation ceremony. Principal Williams plans to host a Zoom meeting for all Senior parents and students tomorrow (4/23) at 6:00pm. A link to the meeting will be sent via text to parents.***
Priorities for this decision were to 1.) create a meaningful experience for Senior Graduates, and 2.) create a meaningful experience for Senior parents.
On Thursday, April 30, all Senior Graduates will schedule a 5-minute meeting at the Auditorium between 10:00am and 12:30pm. Students are asked to wear their graduation cap and gown, and will be video recorded walking across the stage and receiving their diploma sleeve. Students and up to 2 guests will enter near the front of the Auditorium (to the right of the Auditorium sign). All doors will be propped open, and staff members will be on site to direct participants. Participants will not touch any doors or items and will not come into direct contact with anything but their diploma sleeve. After receiving their diploma on stage, they will exit into the lobby where they will take a brief photo. They will then exit the building and leave the premises. Each Senior will be contacted by CHS Office staff to schedule an appointment.
On Thursday, May 7, 7:00pm, a video announcement of 2020 Scholarship winners will premiere on Facebook.
On Friday, May 8, 6:00pm, CHS will host a Graduate Parade at Charleston High School, open to all members of the public (vehicles only). This is a great way for the public to honor and celebrate our Senior Class of 2020 since they are not able to hold a traditional ceremony. Senior Graduates will be lined up in front of the building, spaced out according to CDC guidelines, and public vehicles will be allowed to enter the main CHS entrance and drive through the marked path toward the Auditorium exit. Event coordinators ask the public to creatively decorate their vehicles if desired (window chalk, athletic numbers, balloons, Blue and White, etc.). Noise makers and honking are allowed and encouraged, but stopping or exiting of vehicles will not be permitted. Students will receive their diplomas at the end of the parade.
Following the parade, the Graduation Video will premiere on the District Facebook page on Friday, May 8 at 8:30pm. The video will follow a similar format to the traditional commencement ceremony, and will include Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches as well as video of each student receiving their diploma sleeves.
On Thursday, April 30, all Senior Graduates will schedule a 5-minute meeting at the Auditorium between 10:00am and 12:30pm. Students are asked to wear their graduation cap and gown, and will be video recorded walking across the stage and receiving their diploma sleeve. Students and up to 2 guests will enter near the front of the Auditorium (to the right of the Auditorium sign). All doors will be propped open, and staff members will be on site to direct participants. Participants will not touch any doors or items and will not come into direct contact with anything but their diploma sleeve. After receiving their diploma on stage, they will exit into the lobby where they will take a brief photo. They will then exit the building and leave the premises. Each Senior will be contacted by CHS Office staff to schedule an appointment.
On Thursday, May 7, 7:00pm, a video announcement of 2020 Scholarship winners will premiere on Facebook.
On Friday, May 8, 6:00pm, CHS will host a Graduate Parade at Charleston High School, open to all members of the public (vehicles only). This is a great way for the public to honor and celebrate our Senior Class of 2020 since they are not able to hold a traditional ceremony. Senior Graduates will be lined up in front of the building, spaced out according to CDC guidelines, and public vehicles will be allowed to enter the main CHS entrance and drive through the marked path toward the Auditorium exit. Event coordinators ask the public to creatively decorate their vehicles if desired (window chalk, athletic numbers, balloons, Blue and White, etc.). Noise makers and honking are allowed and encouraged, but stopping or exiting of vehicles will not be permitted. Students will receive their diplomas at the end of the parade.
Following the parade, the Graduation Video will premiere on the District Facebook page on Friday, May 8 at 8:30pm. The video will follow a similar format to the traditional commencement ceremony, and will include Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches as well as video of each student receiving their diploma sleeves.