Summit Middle School Students To Graduate (Again) Thursday

SUMMIT, NJ — Finishing middle school is so nice, Summit's eighth graders will do it twice.

The eighth graders at Summit Middle School already held a virtual graduation ceremony in June (the virtual presentation can be found here). But now, large groups are allowed to gather outdoors, as per governor's orders.

Unlike the recent Summit High School ceremony, the middle school procession this Thursday will not be livestreamed.

Summit students return to school in seven weeks. (See the Summit school administration's thoughts about fall classes here).

Principal Dr. Donna Gallo sent the below directions to families, including coronavirus precautions.

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Dear 8th Grade Families,
I hope that this letter finds you and your families well and enjoying the start of summer. This letter contains specific information about the in-person graduation ceremonies for LCJSMS. Please review carefully.

DATE AND TIMES Abbreviated Graduation Ceremonies will be held on Thursday, July 16 at Tatlock field.

● 9 a.m. ceremony: Graduates with last names beginning A-L
● 11 a.m. ceremony: Graduates with last names beginning M-Z
In the event of rain, the ceremonies will be moved to Friday, July 17th during the same times. Communication will be sent via Honeywell Wednesday afternoon.
PROCEDURES FOR ARRIVAL
● Please arrive between 8:30 - 8:50 for the 9:00am ceremony
● Please arrive between 10:30 - 10:50 for the 11:00am ceremony
● There will be NO tickets for this event. Once a graduate has arrived with their two guests they will be permitted to enter Tatlock field. Students will then be directed to the field and guests can find a seat in the bleachers.
● Graduates need to wear masks when they arrive at Tatlock, but can remove them once they are seated on the field.
● All guests should adhere to the six-foot social distancing requirements, and it is strongly recommended that guests wear masks.
● Guests seating: The bleachers on the home and visitors side of the field will be marked off with locations for guests to sit. Please adhere to these marked locations. The bleachers also contain handicap accessible seating.
● Please see the picture at the end of this document that shows the layout of the field for each graduation ceremony and field entrance locations.
● We will not be conducting temperature checks of graduates or guests. However, if you are feeling ill, please do not attend the ceremony.
● Reminder: The ceremonies are expected to last about 30 minutes. We suggest students wear sunblock and are hydrated.
GRADUATION PROGRAM Graduation Program will be available via QR code at Tatlock field.
GRADUATION DRESS CODE
● Boys: Collared shirt for boys (Jacket & Tie Optional)
● Girls: Dresses, skirts or slacks and blouses for girls
● Parents... use your best judge for the dress code as it is July and much hotter than our typical graduation ceremony.
● Tuxedos, jeans, and sneakers are considered inappropriate. We recognize how few choices are available for appropriate dresses. If you find an appropriate dress that is strapless, please consider having your child wear a sweater, scarf, or shawl over their shoulders, or consider adding thin straps if possible. It is very difficult to walk in spiked heels on the turf field; wedges, chunky heels, or flats are recommended.
OUR SAFETY PROCEDURES
● Each ceremony will be abbreviated but will include a student speech and the distribution of diplomas. We will do these while also meeting the health and safety requirements set forth by the Governor and the New Jersey Department of Education.
● Staff will be on hand to sanitize between ceremonies. In addition, the stair handrails on the stage will be sanitized between graduates.
Sincerely,
Dr. Donna Gallo

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