May 28, 2021
11:14AM
UPDATE!!!!
Dear Eighth Grade Families,
Thank you for all the feedback and support that we have received regarding our plans. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we follow policies together.
You will find another important update regarding Graduation we have just learned of. There is a need to add another ceremony time on June 17th to accommodate our students and families as the NYC guidance states we must count the graduates as part of the number of participants along with guests and family members.
We will still add the awards ceremony to each Graduation. There will not be a separate awards ceremony this year. Students will be recognized at each graduation ceremony, respectively.
I ask that you please read this letter in its entirety and plan accordingly.
Graduation Times:
Based on the large number of in-person attendees we have assigned time slots for students that will allow us to stay within the capacity mandates set forth by both NYC and NYS. On June 17, we will hold three separate ceremonies beginning at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM all taking place on the field at Staten Island Tech High School Athletic Field.
If your last name begins with the letters S-Z, you will be attending the 9:00 AM ceremony.
If your last name begins with the letters K-R, you will be attending the 1:00 PM ceremony.
If your last name begins with the letters A-J, you will be attending the 5:00 PM ceremony.
Please note there is no flexibility on the assigned time slots. A great deal of planning and effort will be going into the development of this plan and the time slots are used to create a balance of attendees.
Arrival:
For 9:00AM Ceremony
Students should arrive between 8:00 -8:45 AM
Guests may enter premises beginning at 8:15 AM. There are no assigned seats, and our staff will be assisting and directing guests to seats so we are following all policies around outdoor large events.
For 1:00PM Ceremony
Students should arrive between 12-12:45PM
For 5:00pm Ceremony
Students should arrive between 4:00 -4:45 PM
Guests may enter premises beginning at 4:15 PM. There are no assigned seats, and our staff will be assisting and directing guests to seats so we are following all policies around outdoor large events.
Requirements for ALL Guests Attending the Ceremony:
As per NYS and NYC guidelines, the following protocols and procedures remain in place:
- Two (2) Tickets per family (No Exceptions)
o Families with multiple graduates will only receive two (2) tickets to the event to stay within capacity restrictions.
o Social Distancing, Capacity Limits and Contact Tracing Guidelines must be followed at all times
o Please note the graduates do not count in your family ticket total.
- Each of the two guests attending MUST provide one of the following (No Exceptions)
o A negative COVID Test within 72 Hours of the event
o Proof of Vaccination against COVID-19
o Proof of having COVID-19 within the last 90 days (per doctor's note)
- Each Attendee (students, staff, and parents) must complete the NYC DOE Health Screening https://healthscreening.schools.nyc/
- Masks must be worn by each attendee (regardless of vaccination status or negative Covid Test) for the duration of the ceremony. We are on NYC DoE property and must follow the policy by the DoE. If NYS and NYC guidance changes we will notify you.
- Attendees must adhere to social distancing guidelines and always remain 6 feet apart from non-family members.
- No photo ops will be permitted on the premises and the field must be cleared immediately after each ceremony.
These rules and procedures seem strict but, in the end, it is what is required in order to see our graduates receive their diplomas surrounded by their loved ones.
Avoiding Potential Exposure Prior to June 17th:
We need to be clear that June 17 is a firm date. We cannot change the ceremony in the event that one or multiple students are unable to attend because he/she tested positive for COVID. Nor can we change the ceremony if one or multiple students are unable to attend because he/she is on a 10-day isolation as a result of a close contact (this includes but is not limited to a family exposure, classroom exposure, bus exposure, outside of school exposure) with someone that tested positive for COVID.
Please understand that these potentially unpleasant circumstances are a reality of the times we live in. I caution you to be mindful that ANY POTENTIAL EXPOSURE (this includes but is not limited to a family exposure, classroom exposure, bus exposure, outside of school exposure) and/or POSITIVE TEST within the ten-day window of June 6 – June 16 will be cause for a 10-day isolation. This will result in a student not being granted access into the ceremony.
Students that are absent in person during that window on their scheduled Cohort Day(s) will be marked PRESENT if they login and fully participate in Remote Learning.
As we have stated all along, we do not set policy, but we are obligated to adhere to policy, and we cannot and will not make any exceptions.
The ceremony will go on as planned on June 17. I implore you to please be careful and plan accordingly within the 10 days leading up to the ceremony on June 17.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support as we all work together to ensure the success of our graduation ceremonies!
Sincerely,
Lenny Santamaria
Principal
Joseph Simione
Assistant Principal