![graphic with text that says washingtonville hs class of 2021 graduation update & clipart image of graduate.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1623960701/wsk12nyus/ewzmf32a2vevehx9akoh/Gradupdate_web.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1623960701/wsk12nyus/ewzmf32a2vevehx9akoh/Gradupdate_web.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1623960701/wsk12nyus/ewzmf32a2vevehx9akoh/Gradupdate_web.png","width":800}])
Dear Class of 2021 and Parents/Guardians
As you are aware, we have been planning our senior events for the past couple of months. From the beginning, it has been our hope to provide events that would allow us to celebrate together as a class and community. Of course, this includes our graduation ceremony. Throughout this time, we have been paying close attention to the changing guidelines and adjusting our plans accordingly. Fortunately, we have been able to plan our Senior Field Day events and Senior Banquet to include the entire class rather than have separate events.
Over the past few weeks we have seen positivity rates declining and vaccination rates rising. This has led to some changes in the COVID guidelines. Late yesterday we received an update from the Department of Health.
As New York passed the 70% vaccination threshold, the state’s health guidelines- including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening and contact information for tracing will become optional for most industries including pre-k-12 education end of the year events. However masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals, pursuant to federal CDC guidelines.
These new guidelines now will allow us to have one graduation ceremony at the High School. This is very exciting to say the least. The class of 2021 will have the opportunity to celebrate and be honored together as a class.
- Washingtonville High School Graduation - 1 Ceremony on June 24th @ 7pm
- Rain dates are June 25th @ 7pm & June 26th @ 10am.
- Rehearsal will now take place on June 24th @ 10am.
- Graduates will receive their caps and gowns as well as their graduation announcements.
- Each graduate will now be permitted 4 guests.
- Tickets will be distributed at graduation rehearsal.
- The ceremony will also be live streamed for the rest of our community.
- On June 24th, our campus will be open only to graduates, their four guests and the faculty and staff needed to run our graduation ceremony smoothly.
- We will not be requiring proof of vaccination, antigen test results, or negative COVID test results. (We will require that unvaccinated persons attending the ceremony wear masks.)
- We will still have our graduation parade on June 26th @ 10am.
- Rain date June 27th 10am. (more details will be provided soon)
Over the next week, we will be providing additional information and details about the ceremony. Included in this information will be seating and parking maps.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused for those planning on attending the 4:00 ceremony. However, from the very beginning, it has been our seniors' wish to be able to graduate together. We are very pleased that they will have this opportunity after what has been a very difficult year and a half.
As we have stated from the very beginning, it will take a complete team effort from our students, guests, and community to properly celebrate the Class of 2021 while following the guidelines to promote the safety of all who attend our senior events.
Sincerely,
Dr. Larry Washington
Superintendent of Schools
Brian T. Connolly
Principal