HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

The Class of 2020 is facing an unprecedented season of change due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), which has led to the modification of the spring schedule or cancellation of events/activities, including many hallmark moments of the high school experience. We recognize graduation is the culmination of a student’s academic journey and a time to celebrate with family and friends. Our entire Collier County Public Schools family has an emotional investment in making sure our seniors are honored and celebrated.

 

Class of 2020 Video/Virtual Commencement Ceremony - June 3, 2020

A video/virtual graduation ceremony will be held for each high school on June 3, 2020, including each student’s name being announced, a photo of each graduate in cap and gown, and speeches by student leaders, school/District administrators, and School Board Members. Students, parents, extended family members, and guests will have the opportunity to remotely view the video streaming at their school's designated graduation time via the District and each high school's website. This allows for unlimited viewing! Below is the schedule for the Class of 2020 Video/Virtual Graduation. Further information regarding how to view the stream will be forthcoming. Seniors/parents will receive date/time details regarding cap and gown photos from their respective school.

 

SCHEDULE: June 3, 2020 - Class of 2020 Video/Virtual Commencement

• Barron Collier High - 2:00pm
• Everglades City School - 5:00pm
• Golden Gate High - 1:00pm
• Gulf Coast High - 4:00pm
• Immokalee High - 7:00pm
• Lely High - 5:00pm
• Lorenzo Walker Technical High - 6:00pm
• Naples High - 7:00pm
• Palmetto Ridge High - 7:00pm

 

Plan to Reunite and Celebrate the Class of 2020

The act of walking across the graduation stage is unmistakably meaningful to all of us: students, families, school/District staff, and the community. Given the state of our country, we recognize traditional commencement ceremonies will not happen on June 3 as previously planned. Therefore, in an effort to reunite the Class of 2020, all high schools will host an event in July.

 

July 24, 2020 at 8:00am (rain contingency on July 25, 2020 at 8:00am)

Optional for students, as students will have officially graduated June 3, 2020.

If guidelines from the CDC allow for a gathering of the entire senior class and parents/guests, each high school will hold a ceremony on a school’s athletic field. This event will allow students to walk across a stage and take a photo with the principal in order to honor the Class of 2020.

 

If schools are unable to hold the July event, all high schools will host an event in December.

 

December 2020 (or later depending on CDC guidelines)

Optional for students, as students will have officially graduated June 3, 2020.

If CDC guidelines do not allow for the July ceremonies, each high school will offer the opportunity for the entire Class of 2020 to reunite and celebrate in December (or later depending on CDC guidelines at that time). Think of this as the Class of 2020’s FIRST REUNION!

 

CCPS will share further details using all of our communication methods as guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are updated.

 

SENIOR AWARDS

Senior Awards will be conducted as virtual live streaming events in May. The date/time for each school’s event will be communicated by each high school, as well as through social media and the District website. Each school’s ceremony will be streamed at its designated time on the District website (collierschools.com) and on channel 99 (Comcast, CenturyLink, and Summit Broadband). Each video will be available after the live stream on school websites and social media channels, as well as replayed on The Education Channel (channel 99 - replay schedules will be published when available).

 

UPDATE - SENIOR YARD SIGNS

We are excited to provide Class of 2020 yard signs to every senior in our District! Previously, we advised that these yard signs would be delivered to each senior's home; however, we have slightly changed those plans in order to ensure all of our seniors receive a sign. Seniors will pick up one (1) yard sign at their school at the same time they pick up their cap and gown. This date will be provided to seniors/parents by each school.

 

We appreciate your patience, understanding, and flexibility during these challenging times. The Class of 2020 will forever be remembered for resilience through these unique circumstances.

 

Dr. Kamela Patton

Superintendent of Schools