New Paltz High School Class of 2020 Class Officers and Advisors 196 Main Street, New Paltz, New York 12561 Phone: (845) 256-4100 Email: bmasseo@newpaltz.k12.ny.us jdolan@newpaltz.k12.ny.us

Dear New Paltz High School Seniors and Families,

New Paltz High School staff is looking forward to welcoming you to our campus for Act 1 “The Final Bell” on Monday, June 15th during your scheduled time slot, Act 2 “Walking Together” on Tuesday, June 16th during your scheduled time slot, and Act 3 “Moving Forward Together” on Friday, June 26th.

To support a safe environment for our graduates, staff and guests, we will be following social distancing protocols. We are providing details, guidelines and suggestions for each “act” in order to conduct a smooth, safe, and dignified commencement. We ask that you review the details, guidelines and suggestions carefully for each “act” as we must adhere to them in order for the implementation of our plans to meet county and state restrictions and ensure the health and safety of all graduates, staff and guests.

As per New York State Guidelines, any individual who (1) displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19, (2) has tested positive for COVID-19 with the last 14 days, or (3) within the last 14 days was in close or proximate contact of an individual who had symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19, is not permitted to attend the celebration.

Entry tickets are only needed for Act 2: Walking Together and Act 3: Moving Forward Together. Tickets may be printed using the links below or the images located at the end of this document. Students and loved ones are encouraged to bring tickets to enter Act 2 and Act 3. The tickets can also be shown on a device. In case a ticket is not accessible, the administrator at the entrance will have a class list as attendance will be documented.

Entry Ticket Act 2: Walking Together Vehicle #1

Entry Ticket Act 2: Walking Together: Vehicle #2

Entry Ticket Act 3: Moving Forward Together

Act 1: The Final Bell- Monday, June 15, 2020 We ask that you prepare for this event by writing the student’s name on a large piece of paper that can be easily viewed from a 6+ foot distance. This will make for easier identification at each of the stations listed below.

Seniors must enter by way of the main entrance. In order to limit the amount of traffic we are asking that you arrive on campus during the times below based on your last name. NPHS personnel will be on hand to ensure that vehicles move through the campus in an efficient manner and visit each station in the proper order. Please use the attached map to see the designated traffic pattern for the day.

Station 1 - Drop off district music instruments Please note, no one will be permitted to exit their vehicle as items will be passed through the car window.

New Paltz High School staff members will document items that are dropped off and provide a receipt to the individual.

Station 2 - Receive Senior Survey/ Drop off textbooks, library books, Chromebooks, calculators, classroom materials, etc.

Please note, no one will be permitted to exit their vehicle as items will be passed through the car window.

Students who were unable to complete the senior survey will be given a paper copy of the survey. They will be asked to complete the survey in their vehicle when parked in the main parking lot while enjoying their ice cream/snack. A staff member will collect completed surveys before dismissal.

New Paltz High School staff members will document items that are dropped off and provide a receipt to the individual. Please make sure each item being returned is labeled with the student's name as an additional check.

Station 3 - Pick up cap/gown/chord/stole/gift

Please note, no one will be permitted to exit their vehicle as items will be passed through the car window.

At this station, seniors may pick up of the following: -pre-ordered cap and gown -pre-ordered honor cord -Honor Society stole for Honor Society members -a gift from the Class of 2020

**There will be a limited number of caps and gowns for purchase with a check written out to NPHS Class of 2020 in the amount of $45 (limited availability). If assistance is needed, please contact Bonne Masseo or Joe Dolan.

Station 4 - A special treat from the NPHS PTSA Please note, no one will be permitted to exit their vehicle as items will be passed through the car window. At this station, a special treat will be delivered to each senior.

Seniors will be asked to park in a designated area to enjoy their ice cream/snack and complete the survey if needed. With 10 minutes remaining in the allotted time slot, Dr. Fernandez will share the announcements for the “last day of classes” and dismiss the group by ringing the final bell. At that time, we will ask all seniors to safely exit campus.

Act 1 Schedule

9:00 am to 9:45 am Last name begins with A-C

9:45 am to 10:30 am Last name begins with D-G

10:30 am to 11:15 am Last name begins with H-M

11:15 am to 12:00 pm Last name begins with N-S

12:00 pm-12:45 pm Last names begins with T-Z

Unfortunately, YEARBOOKS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. Alexis Mallory and the yearbook committee will arrange for a different pickup date.

Act 2: Walking Together- Tuesday, June 16th We ask that you prepare for this event by writing the student’s name on a large piece of paper that can be easily viewed from a 6+ foot distance. This will make for easier identification at the name card distribution station.

Seniors must enter campus by way of the main entrance. In order to limit the amount of traffic we are asking that you arrive on campus during the times below based on your last name. NPHS personnel will be on hand to ensure that vehicles move through the campus in an efficient manner following the designated route. Please use the map near the end of this document to see the designated traffic pattern for the day.

Each student has been given a scheduled time (see below) for up to two vehicles to come to New Paltz High School. Families bringing two vehicles must coordinate arriving together prior to entering campus. This is necessary to ensure both vehicles proceed to the stage together.

Graduates are encouraged to wear a cap and gown.

Tickets should be presented to the NPHS staff member at location #1 shown on the map. Tickets can be printed or shown on a device. The staff member will also have a class list in case a ticket is not accessible. Only two vehicles per senior will be allowed to enter.

At location #2 along the route, graduates will be given a name card.

At location #3 along the route, individual students will be invited to exit the vehicle. At this time, the student will give their name card to the staff member who will announce the graduate. The student will then begin their walk through the arch and across the stage to receive their diploma cover. Masks may be removed by the student during their walk for their photos.

After the student exits the vehicle, the drivers will be asked to proceed forward and stop in the designated area in front of the stage (location #5). At that time, up to two loved ones, wearing masks, will be invited to exit their vehicle and go to the designated spot (location #4) to take pictures and videos. Additional loved ones will be able to witness this moment from their vehicles.

We will have a photographer capturing these moments which will be utilized in Act 3.

*Please note: images taken during Act 2 will be accessible to students via a New Paltz Central School District’s Google Drive Shared Folder. This folder will be accessible to members of the Class of 2020 through students' school accounts. Information needed to access the Shared Folder will be located on the senior class website and images will be accessible July 1, 2020 through August 1, 2020.

Members of Honor Society are asked to return their stole in the designated area after exiting the stage. After receiving their diploma cover, the student and their loved ones must return to their vehicles and exit campus.

Act 2 Schedule

9:00 am to 10:00 am Last name begins with A-C

10:00 am to 11:00 am Last name begins with D-G

11:00 am to 12:00 pm Last name begins with H-M

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Last name begins with N-S

2:00 pm-3:00 pm Last names begins with T-Z

*Please be aware that participating in this celebration does not signify that you have met all requirements for graduation. Your eligibility to graduate will be based on your transcript which will be finalized on June 26, 2020. All graduates will receive their diploma in the mail along with a commencement program.

*If we need to postpone on either the 15th or 16th due to inclement weather, we have designated the 17th and 18th as rain dates. Act 1 must be held before Act 2. Please continue to follow the senior class website for updates.

Act 3: Moving Forward Together - June 26, 2020

Moving Forward Together will take place on Friday, June 26th in the parking lot at New Paltz High School. Students are encouraged to wear their cap and gown and decorate their vehicles.

Due to available parking and NYS DOH regulations, only one vehicle per graduate will be permitted to attend Moving Forward Together at the New Paltz High School. NYS DOH guidance states: “Students, and only immediate family members who reside in the same household, should arrive and remain in cars for the entire ceremony.” Guests may exit a vehicle to use the bathroom facilities located by the auditorium in the band wing of the high school. The doors in the right hand corner of the parking lot will be open. If exiting a vehicle to use the bathroom, we ask that guests practice social distancing and wear a mask.

Important note: All vehicles must be able to fit in a standard size parking space. We will be asking guests to turn off vehicle engines allowing for a more open air experience.

Arrival Time Schedule

At 8:00 pm we will welcome small and medium size cars to enter campus. NPPD and NPHS personnel will be on hand to ensure that vehicles move through campus in an efficient manner to parking spots that ensure optimal viewing for all guests.

At 8:15 pm we will welcome small to midsize SUVs and minivans to enter campus. NPPD and NPHS personnel will be on hand to ensure that vehicles move through campus in an efficient manner to parking spots that ensure optimal viewing for all guests.

At 8:30 pm we will welcome large size SUVs, etc to enter campus. NPPD and NPHS personnel will be on hand to ensure that vehicles move through campus in an efficient manner to parking spots that ensure optimal viewing for all guests.

Vehicles arriving at the scheduled time noted above will be directed to parking spots. In order to reduce traffic congestion, allow NPHS personnel to direct vehicles through campus in an efficient manner and ensure all optimal viewing of the pre-recorded ceremony for all graduates and loved ones, we ask that all guests adhere to these entry times determined by vehicle size. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Once all vehicles have been parked, we will celebrate together by viewing the pre-recorded ceremony of the commencement exercises in a drive-in theater fashion. This pre-recorded component will feature the same components as past commencements and will feature music from our band and choir, a commencement speaker, and speeches from the class valedictorian, salutatorian, and school officials. In addition, it will include moments captured during Act 2. All audio of the ceremony will be transmitted on an FM station to each vehicle.

At the conclusion of the pre-recorded video ceremony, Dr. Fernandez will direct students to move their tassels and pronounce them graduates of New Paltz High School. Following this moment, NPHS personnel will lead the recessional. The recessional will lead all graduates to exit the campus of New Paltz High School in an orderly parade-like fashion. We ask that all drivers follow the directions given by NPPD and NPHS personnel to make this traditional component of the commencement ceremony meaningful, orderly and safe.

For those that are unable to attend Act 3: Moving Forward Together, the video ceremony will be posted on the high school homepage by 8:45 pm on June 26, 2020 for all loved ones to view online.

If we need to cancel the Moving Forward Together on June 26th due to inclement weather, a rain date will be announced if a date can be secured in a timely fashion. Otherwise, the video will be posted on the district website for families to enjoy at home together. Please continue to follow the Senior Class website for any updates.

We know that these past months have been frustrating with many uncertainties and cancellations. We are hoping that everyone will help make these commencement celebrations special for our Class of 2020. Commencement is a momentous occasion, and we want to make it memorable for years to come. Thank you for your continued support of New Paltz High School’s Class of 2020. Sincerely, Aedan Sennett - President of the Class of 2020 Ashlyn O'Hara - Secretary of the Class of 2020 Christina Rust - Treasurer of the Class of 2020 Zack Grazioso - Vice President of the Class of 2020 Joe Dolan- Senior Class Advisor Bonne Masseo- Senior Class Advisor

*Note: Maps and tickets are located below.

Act 1 Traffic Pattern Map

Act 2 Traffic Pattern Map

Entrance Ticket Act 2 Vehicle #1

Entrance Ticket Act 2 Vehicle #2

Entrance Ticket Act 3