Senior Events 5/11/20

As always, I’ve been thinking extensively about how best to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2020.  I’ve attached an outline of the senior calendar, and want to reiterate below some of our upcoming recognitions.  That said, if the Governor changes the stay-at-home order and associated guidelines, after May 18^th, we will revisit these plans.  

• Our graduation ceremony remains postponed and is currently scheduled for Friday, July 31^st at 7:00 pm.  The rain date is Saturday, August 1^st.  Out of a deep and profound respect for the Class of 2020, we want to do everything possible to make this graduation special and to incorporate the valued traditions of graduation.  Our priority for this event is the awarding of diplomas, in the presence of family, at HHS.  Whatever happens, we will find a creative way to deliver these hard-earned diplomas in person.
• If guidelines permit on the day of July 31^st, we’ll replicate the senior parade into the school.  Seniors will be led down the high school driveway and into the school.  They’ll make their way through the halls, into the auditorium, and out into the courtyard for a class cookout! 
• On our original graduation date of June 5^th, we intend to hold a televised student-recognition ceremony at 6:30 pm in honor of this date and in tribute to the Class of 2020.  We’ve asked a few students to speak, and we’ll perform a reading of student names – unassociated with caps-and-gowns, diplomas, and graduation.  This student recognition ceremony is not replacing graduation. Rather, we are recognizing this important date and affording deserving students the honor of addressing their classmates and community in the event that our formal ceremony on July 31^st is unable to run, or needs to be pared down. 
• On Friday evening, May 29^th, we’ll be organizing a town-wide car parade for our seniors!!!  We’ve been in communication with Town Officials, and details surrounding the event are currently in the works.  We’ll have decorated senior cars, maybe a fire truck or two, and some police cruisers in the mix.
• Other public recognitions and celebrations are planned – including some surprises - that will culminate during senior week (May 26^th, May 27^th, and May 28^th) and conclude with the town-wide car parade on May 29^th.

Please note: Some of these events may include recognizing seniors on an individual level, which would require the release of individual names and addresses to community members hoping to celebrate members of the Class of 2020.  If you would prefer to opt out of community recognition, please email me, and I’ and move your name and address from our distribution list. 

As we learn more about the future of the stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, we will adapt our plans accordingly.  We will do our very best to keep you informed and to make these weeks ahead as special as possible for the HHS Class of 2020.

That’s it for now.  Be well.  Be safe. 

Matthew Paquette
Principal