HAMLET — After a thorough review of guidelines provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as well as information from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office, Richmond County Schools has worked diligently to build a proposed graduation plan that meets safety requirements while giving students and their families the maximum traditional graduation experience possible.
RCS has collaborated and reached out to DHHS, our school nurses, school representatives and contractors, to build an initial graduation plan and determine their availability in helping make these ceremonies possible. In order to have appropriate time to implement this plan and to build the digital graduation ceremonies, RCS is following the below outlined plan for families and senior students. These celebrations depend on NCDHHS guidelines and restrictions being lifted on mass gatherings.
Graduation for Ashley Chapel Educational Center
Ashley Chapel Educational Center’s virtual graduation was filmed Monday, May 11. The initial plan is to air their graduation on Thursday, June 11 at 6 p.m. Again, we are trying to hold out for as long as we can, in hopes that some type of traditional graduation ceremony is possible and/or other possible options.
Graduation Guidelines for Richmond Early College High School
Who can take part?
Each graduate can bring up to four family members with them when they walk across the stage. Note: Before the graduate or any family member enters the celebration, a RCS nurse will conduct a temperature check using an external device. We are encouraging all students and family members to wear a mask to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families. The graduate will take the mask off when it is his/her time to walk across the stage.
Where and when will it take place?
Richmond Early College High School will complete the video portion of the virtual graduation for each student on Tuesday-Thursday, May 19 – 21, at the Cole Auditorium. Each graduate will be given a specific time between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. to show up on campus and check in. That time will be relayed, and an appointment confirmed by REaCH staff in the coming days. If you do not hear from a school staff member by May 18, please contact REaCH for further information.
How will this ceremony work?
The Cole Auditorium will be set up in stations on the videoing days. These are listed below:
· A student will be assigned a time to report to the Cole Auditorium in their cap and gown. That student and up to four family members of their choosing would report to the check-in tent at the time they are given. If they arrive early, the person running the tent will take a phone number and instruct the student and family to return to their vehicles and call them when it is time to begin.
· After the check-in tent, the student and family members will report to Station 2. This will be located at the entrance doors on the right side of the Cole Auditorium. Here a nurse will check everyone in the party’s temperature in line with NCDHHS guidelines.
· A student and the family will advance to Station 3 only once the family ahead of them has moved on. Here they will receive any graduation regalia (cords, sashes, etc.) that has not yet been given.
· After that, the student and family will advance to Station 4 when it becomes available. This is the holding station for entering the auditorium.
· Once the auditorium is cleared, the student and family will go inside. Family members will be advised where to sit in the auditorium. The student will go to the stairs to the right of the stage and wait to be instructed to start the process of walking across the stage.
· The student’s name will be called by Ms. Smart as he or she walks across the stage and takes his/her diploma from the table. The student will then exit the stage on the opposite side. (THIS IS WHAT WILL BE VIDEOED.)
· Once the student has completed the video portion, his/her picture will be taken on the stage in the cap and gown.
· When the video process is complete, the student and his/her family will have an opportunity to take photos of their own from a designated photo op spot. There will be a photographer on site.
· Following that photo, families will be directed to the exits of the building.
The initial plan for our graduation is to air it on Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. Again, we are trying to hold out for as long as we can, in hopes that some type of traditional graduation ceremony is possible and/or other possible options.
How can we watch it?
All the photos/videos taken, as well as pre-taped speeches and other traditional graduation ceremony moments will be edited together to form a digital graduation ceremony that will be located for access on our school’s website (www.richmond.k12.nc.us/REaCH).
Will photos be for purchase?
We are currently working on securing a photographer for options on photos of our graduates. More information will be provided to you concerning this very shortly.
Graduation Guidelines for Richmond Senior High School
Who can take part?
Due to the large number of students participating in the video, only one car per graduate can attend the recording of the virtual graduation. We are encouraging all students and family members to wear a mask to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families. The graduate will take the mask off when it is his/her time to walk across the stage.
Where and when will it take place?
Richmond Senior High School will complete the video portion of the virtual graduation for each student on Tuesday-Thursday, May 19 – 21, at the high school. Each senior homeroom will be given a specific time between 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. to show up on campus and check in.
Tuesday, May 19
9:30 – 10:30 12-19 Hamilton, Ingram, Steele, Daniel
10:30 – 11:30 12-1 David & 12-2 James
1:00 – 2:00 12-3 Campbell & 12-4 Deese
2:00 – 3:00 12-5 Floyd & 12-6 Gilliam
3:00 – 4:00 12-7 O’Neil & 12-8 A. Larsen
Wednesday, May 20
9:30 – 10:30 12-9 C. Larsen & 12-10 Howard
10:30 – 11:30 12-11 McDougald & 12-12 Eller
11:30 – 12:00 Junior Marshals
1:00 – 2:00 12-13 McDonald & 12-14 Moss
2:00 – 3:00 12-15 Jones & 12-16 Russell
3:00 – 4:00 12-17 Hudson & 12-18 Learn
Thursday, May 21
9:30-11:30 MAKE UP DAY (No photographer on site)
DRESS REQUIREMENTS WITH CAP AND GOWN:
Females: Wear light, solid-colored dress (dress should not hang longer than the gown). Shoes must be solid white, nude or black heels, flats or sandals. No tennis shoes, boots or flip flops will be allowed. If you choose to wear hose/stockings, they must be natural in color.
Males: Wear khaki or black dress pants, white collared button-up dress shirt, dark colored solid tie (no bow ties or string ties). Black or brown dress shoes only. No tennis shoes, boots, or flip flops will be allowed.
STOLES, SASHES, CORDS EARNED:
(NHS, BETA, NTS, Senate, Junior Marshal, Suma, Magna, Laude)
These items will be prepared in a ziplock bag with your name on the bag. Place each item back in the ziplock bag once you have completed your walk across the stage or at the photo station and return it to the marked tote at either station.
VIRTUAL WALK PROCESS:
It is very important to come dressed according to the dress code, including your cap and gown due to the tight schedule prepared.
· Checkpoint 1 – You will be checked in while still in your vehicle at the entrance to the front circle and park when directed to do so.
· Checkpoint 2 – There will be a second check in table to log your video spot.
· Checkpoint 3 – At the stage, the student will walk to the middle of the stage, pick up your diploma cover (no diploma), pose for the photographer with Mr. Butler then exit the stage.
· Checkpoint 4 – Seniors will have the option of a second picture taken by a photographer.
How can we watch it?
The initial plan for our graduation is to air it on Friday, June 12. Again, we are trying to hold out for as long as we can, in hopes that some type of traditional graduation ceremony is possible and/or other possible options.
All the photos/videos taken, as well as pre-taped speeches and other traditional graduation ceremony moments will be edited together to form a digital graduation ceremony that will be located for access on our school’s website (www.richmond.k12.nc.us/RSHS.
Will photos be for purchase?
Proofs from Photo Specialties will be mailed to the parents. Purchases can be made at that time.
