The Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School District will hold its Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2020, on school grounds. GMU has the privilege of hosting an on-campus graduation that allows all of our seniors to be together in the same place at the same time as outdoor ceremonies will be permitted beginning June 26.
As per New York State Department of Health guidelines, all in-person graduation ceremonies taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited to a maximum of 150 people. This maximum includes all students, administrators, teachers, staff and guests and may not be exceeded for any reason.
All graduates and guests must remain six feet apart from every other family unit, and everyone is required to wear a mask at all times. Seniors will be allowed to temporarily remove their masks while receiving individual diplomas, speaking on stage and posing for related photographs. Graduation caps may not be tossed into the air at any time.
To ensure GMU does not exceed the 150-person maximum, each of our graduating seniors may have three guests, who are encouraged to arrive together in one car. Please note that any individual who displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19, has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days or has been in close contact with an individual who had symptoms or tested positive within the last 14 days is not permitted to attend our graduation ceremony.
Graduates may arrive in their own vehicles (separate from guests) but must be in place in the gymnasium parking lot by 5 p.m. All seats will be assigned and may not be switched. Guests may only leave their seats to use restroom facilities, which will be limited. Person-to-person contact during the ceremony is only allowed by members of the same family/household.
Following the ceremony, GMU will host a Community Graduate Parade from 7-7:30 p.m. All community members are invited to join in and drive through our front circle to wish our graduates well from a distance. Vehicles may not be approached or exited during the parade. Following the parade, graduates and remaining guests may leave. Post-ceremony gatherings/activities on school grounds are not permitted, as per NYSDOH guidelines.
GMU’s 2020 Graduation Ceremony will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/gmucentralschool.
Graduation coverage also will be featured on our digital platforms:
Website: https://www.gmucsd.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMUCentral/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMUCentral
In the event of poor weather, GMU’s 2020 Graduation Ceremony will be moved to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27. If necessary, the second rain date is 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28. You will receive an automated phone call should the time or date change. All NYSDOH guidelines will remain in effect.
Graduation Rehearsal
GMU seniors are required to attend a graduation rehearsal at school with their caps and gowns from 9-11 a.m. Friday, June 26. The rehearsal will include a class picture in graduation caps and gowns. A light breakfast will be provided.
For More Information
NYSDOH Guidance for Graduation Ceremonies During COVID-19
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/06/doh_covid19_updatedgraduationguidance_061420.pdf
Governor Cuomo Announces Outdoor Graduations of up to 150 People Will Be Allowed
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-governor-cuomo-announces-outdoor-graduations-150-people-will
Posted 6/24/2020