April 23, 2020
Dear Class of 2020:
I want to thank you for your understanding and cooperation throughout this unprecedented time. As promised, here is a detailed plan for Graduation 2020. Graduation will be held on Friday, May 8 at 6:00 P.M. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be postponed. The first alternate date is Saturday May 9, and the second alternate date is Sunday, May 10. We have worked closely with city and county officials to plan this ceremony, and it is imperative that all graduates and their families follow the instructions.
Students who wish to participate in Graduation 2020 must return the enclosed form by Friday, May 1. Forms may be returned via Google Docs or to the black mailbox next to the entrance of the high school. Each graduate will receive an assigned parking spot via email once all forms have been received. Any graduate who does not have a driver or vehicle may contact me, and I will make arrangements for a volunteer to drive you.
All graduates must ride in an automobile (car, truck, or SUV) with no trailers or floats. Graduates must have a parent or adult to drive their vehicle. Vehicles may be decorated with appropriate decorations. On May 8, graduates may start arriving in the high school parking lot at 5:15 P.M. Graduates should be in their assigned parking spots by 5:45 P.M. Throughout the route, drivers and participants must abide by all state and local laws and COVID-19 restrictions. We recommend immediate family members ride in the vehicle with graduates so they can see their graduates receive their diploma. Throughout the route, graduates should remain in their vehicles and will only be allowed to exit the vehicle to receive their diplomas and for the Class of 2020 hat toss.
At 6:00 P.M., Graduation 2020 will begin. A map of the route is enclosed. Family and friends are encouraged to station themselves along the route while adhering to state and local laws as well as COVID-19 restrictions. The ceremony will be transmitted through radio broadcast. Only the participating vehicles will be allowed in the high school parking lot, and no one other than media or school personnel is allowed outside a vehicle on the high school parking lot and in front of the Charles Bland Stadium.
The route will conclude at the high school. As the vehicles re-enter the high school parking lot, each vehicle will stop in front of the Charles Bland Stadium entrance. At that time, each graduate will exit the vehicle to walk across the stage and receive his or her diploma cover. After the graduate walks, he or she will re-enter the vehicle, and the vehicle will return to the assigned parking spot. Once all graduates have received their diploma covers and returned to their assigned parking spots, all graduates will exit their vehicles for the grand finale, the DHS Class of 2020 graduation hat toss. Following the grande finale, we ask that all graduates re-enter the vehicle and safely exit the parking lot. We have been notified by the Dexter Police Department that students may not congregate on school grounds after the ceremony.
Instructions regarding returning all school-owned property and paying all fines and fees are enclosed. Diplomas will be mailed as soon as all fines and fees have been paid.
Sincerely,
Alana Dowdy
Dexter High School Principal
Dexter Seniors have already received this letter via email. A hard copy letter also went out via USPS and should arrive at their street address.
Class of 2020 Route to Graduation
(Return to drop box or make a copy and return as a google doc by Friday, May 1)
Graduate Name:___________________________________________
Who will be driving your vehicle? ____________________________
Color of Vehicle: __________________________________________
Make and Model of Vehicle: _________________________________
License Plate of Vehicle: ___________________________________
_________________________ __________________________Graduate Signature Parent Signature
Graduation Ceremony Map and Instructions:
We are working closely with the Dexter Police Department, Fire Department and the City of Dexter to make this a great experience. They have asked that we please adhere to all local guidelines. The following points are very important so please read carefully and inform anyone who plans to view the parade.
Meet in the High School parking lot at 5:15 at your assigned spot (will be mailed out after forms are received).
Ceremony begins at 6:00.
Seniors and families will ride in one car per graduate through the parade route and must be driven by parent or guardian, no student drivers.
If you do not have a car or driver, email Mrs. Dowdy and we will get a volunteer car and driver.
Other family members can be stationed along the parade route.
You may NOT stop or exit cars at any point along the parade route.
Cars may be decorated but may not obstruct the view of the driver.
Only graduate cars will be allowed on the high school campus.
Family members and other spectators may utilize the BEC lot, Southwest lot, back lots along Brown Pilot, Central Lot, and Middle School Lot.
Please do not park in the grass or in anyone’s yard.
We will have a designated STOP on Bearcat Drive, where the senior will exit the car, go to the stage and receive diploma cover, then return to their car.
Cars will then return to the designated parking area.
We have been told that nobody will be allowed to congregate. Parade viewers must observe appropriate social distancing. Nobody may gather for photos anywhere on campus.
We are planning a radio broadcast so that everyone can listen to the ceremony from their cars. Details will be announced closer to the ceremony. We will send that out via text and email.
Senior Pick Ups/ Payment of Fines and Fees
Beginning on May 6, seniors will be able to participate in a drive through drop off and pick up.
Each senior will need to do the following (with only one person out of the car at a time):
Pull up in front of the high school at the assigned time for your advisory class.
Return your chromebook and chromebook charger and case by placing on the cart provided.
Place any textbooks or library books on the library cart.
Go to the ticket booth to pay any fines and fees.
Pick up the handled shopping bag labeled with your name. This bag will contain any personal belongings from your locker, cords for graduation for honors students and a list of any fines or fees still owed.
*We will return any books that were left in your locker
*We will only allow students to come during their designated advisory time, due local and state regulations. If you need to make alternate arrangements, you will need to email me after graduation.
*Diplomas will not be mailed until the student has paid all fines and fees and returned any materials, books, chromebooks. All fees for caps and gowns must be paid as well
*Anyone who wishes to pay fines and fees now, may place payments in an envelope with your name on it and put it in the black locked box outside of the high school entrance. We will mark those payments off as we receive them.
*These dates are for seniors only, underclassmen will be scheduled the following week.
*It is acceptable for a parent to pick up and drop off for their senior, but we will not allow other students to pick up your belongings.
May 6
9 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.: Myers / Hobgood
12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.: K. Boles / Chappell/ 7th hour CCE Students
May 7
9 A.M. - 12:00 P.M: Colley / Dickens
12:00 PM - 3:00 P.M.: A Simmons / Giles
