MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SCHEDULED TO GRADUATE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 19. MSA STUDENTS WERE SENT A SCHOOLOGY MESSAGE FROM MR. KING WITH THEIR APPOINTMENT TIME.
Dear Graduate and Family,
This spring has been unprecedented for all, and sheltering at home has meant missing milestones and public recognition of your achievements. The sadness and disappointment you feel about the loss of prom, celebrations, athletic seasons, and graduation are understandable. While we are all disappointed our graduation celebration at the Convention Center will not take place, I am pleased to announce that Ocean Lakes High School will host an individual cap and gown ceremony for graduating students. While some of the logistical planning is being finalized, I would like to share information regarding processes.
Our plan has many moving parts and follows the current health and safety guidelines set forth by Governor Northam and the CDC. The ceremony will provide students the opportunity to walk across a graduation stage to receive their diploma in the company of family and guests. A professional photographer will be onsite to capture the moment.
Listed below are details you will need to know to participate in the graduation ceremony. Please read over these details carefully.
Several critical health and safety expectations need to be shared:
- Each graduate is permitted to bring ten (10) or fewer guests to the ceremony.
- Under the recent Executive Order from Governor Ralph Northam, all guests and visitors to VBCPS buildings are required to wear face coverings. More specifically, when entering and exiting school buildings or in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained, face coverings must be worn. A face covering includes anything that covers your nose and mouth, such as a mask, scarf, or bandana.
- If the graduate or a guest has a fever or cough or has recently had a fever or cough, they should not attend the ceremony.
- Graduates and their guests are not permitted to bring or carry any personal items into the school building (except cellphones, personal cameras, and car keys). Expressly, gifts (boxes), large camera bags, purses, backpacks, noisemakers, balloons, and signs are not permitted.
- Appropriate attire for graduates and guests is expected.
- School officials, security assistants, and School Resource Officers will be onsite to help ensure a safe experience for participants.
- When the individual ceremony concludes, graduates and their guests are to exit the school building and campus as quickly as possible. Congregating in larger groups is not permitted.
I appreciate your adherence to the stated expectations and safety precautions. Please know these are in place for your safety and the safety of others.
While this year’s graduation ceremony does not resemble graduation ceremonies of the past, it does provide an opportunity to create a memory that is unique to the Class of 2020! The Class of 2020 has been remarkable in all endeavors. It is with a tremendous amount of pleasure that I wish each member of the class congratulations. Seniors, I know that the same resolve and imagination that got you to this moment are the very things that are going to sustain you through whatever lies ahead. I have every confidence that you will make a better world in the future.
Best wishes,
Dr. Le Blanc
Ocean Lakes High School
Class of 2020 MSA Graduation
June 19, 2020
The Twenty-Sixth Graduating Class of Ocean Lakes High School will hold individual graduations on Friday June 19, 2020. Though we are disappointed we will not be able to conduct our traditional graduation, we hope to make this individual graduation a memorable event for the graduate and their family. After reading the information below, If you have any questions regarding the Cap and Gown Ceremony, please contact John Williams, Student Activities Coordinator at John.Williams@VBSchools.com.
ADMISSION: Each student is permitted to bring up to 10 guests to his/her ceremony. Students and their guests should arrive no later than 25 minutes before their scheduled time. If a graduate is not on time, the next class member will move forward to their time slot. We will attempt to slot the late graduate into the first available opening.
PARKING: Students and their guests should enter the campus through the East Entrance (student parking lot). Parking attendants will direct cars into the front bus loop and then numbered bus bays. If there is a need for handicapped parking, please inform a parking attendant. Once in the bus bays, students and guests will remain in their cars until the parking director calls them. Students and their guests will then proceed to the main entrance of the building.
GRADUATION DIRECTIONS: Graduates should arrive with their cap and gown and dressed appropriately for graduation. (Students who have not received their cap and gown may contact Mr. Eric Harvell at Eric.Harvell@Jostens.com). When directed, the graduate and their guests will enter the building and check-in at the front desk. Graduate and guests should maintain appropriate social distancing at all times when in the building and must wear a face covering.
Graduates should bring the items belonging to the school with them into the building. For example:
• Charged Chrome Book and charger
• Calculator and charger
• Team Uniforms
• Textbooks, library books and any fundraising materials belonging to the school
• Any other items that may have been secured from a teacher or staff member
The graduate will check-in and receive an index card with their name printed on it. This card will be used for entrance into the gymnasium, so hold onto it. After check-in, the graduate will be directed to turn in their Chromebook, charger, and any other items belonging to the school. The graduate will be able to pick up their purchased yearbook and previously ordered athletic picture packets. Additionally, senior members of VHSL Activities (Forensics, Debate, Yearbook, Newspaper, One-Act Play, and Scholastic Bowl) can pick up their award packet.
When directed, the graduate and their guests will move to the gymnasium foyer and wait until invited into the gymnasium. At that time, guests will move to a designated spectator area near the center court. The graduate will enter the gymnasium, give their card to the name reader, and wait until their name is announced. At that moment, the graduate will proceed to the stage (set up in front of the home bleachers). The graduate will pick up a diploma cover as they move onto the stage.* Once on the stage, the graduate will move to a designated spot, display their diploma cover to guests, and pose for a picture taken by a Lifetouch photographer. Guests can take photos of their graduate while they are on the stage. Dr. Le Blanc will certify the graduate. The graduate will then move their tassel from the right to the left side of their cap and exit the stage. Once off the stage, the graduate will proceed to the diploma table located at the far end of the gymnasium to receive their diploma from a school counselor. Afterward, the graduate and their guests will be directed to exit the gymnasium and, subsequently, the building (through the east doors). The graduate and their guests will return to their cars. Graduates and their guests are asked to leave campus without delay.
*Graduates of the Math Science Academy will pick up their medallion before picking up their diploma cover and put the medallion over their head before moving to the stage.
Congratulations to our Ocean Lakes Graduates! Best wishes to all of you!
