6/11/20...they will have a graduation in June (insert worried face)

Not happy that the first message about graduation didn't include anything about masking, but Carolyn indicated that she would be willing to ask the principal to send out the strong requests, if not requirement for masks.  I think it would mean a lot coming from a student who wants to go to college in the fall without this threatening that situation.  She hasn't seen her friends in months, let's make that sacrifice worth it in the fall!!!

Important Commencement Information

Dear Parents/Guardians of Members of the Class of 2020,

We are excited to share with you that we are able to host our commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames on Saturday, June 27th. For those of you who have had the opportunity to attend Ankeny commencement exercises in the past, you can expect us to take great care in honoring our graduates in this fantastic venue. Due to our need to follow Iowa State’s public health guidelines, the Iowa Department of Education guidelines, as well as our own student and staff health and safety guidelines, this ceremony will be substantially different than those in previous years.  In an effort to support you in making plans to attend, we want to provide you with as many details as possible in advance of our ceremonies.

We have created a virtual commencement ceremony including all of our featured speakers (school board president, superintendent, and principal), our student speakers, as well as a photo of each member of the Class of 2020 with their name both visually and verbally. This will be made available on multiple platforms to ensure access for all. Our event on June 27th will be a shortened and socially distant ceremony at Hilton Coliseum following the guidelines below.

Next week via U.S Postal Mail each student will receive 4 tickets for their family with NO EXCEPTIONS.  Because we will not be providing students additional tickets, students whose parents live in separate households will need to work together to determine how to make use of the tickets.  Tickets will be sent to the primary household of the student listed first in Infinite Campus.

The details below will help you navigate parking, entering, finding a seat, and enjoying the ceremony.  We have also linked a slide show to review with your student detailing their role and steps in the ceremony. The slides are of particular importance for your senior since we have no ability to rehearse the ceremony with them in advance. 

PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY

• PARENTS - Determine 4 guests to attend and ensure each guest has a ticket for entry. FIll out form for name pronunciation and Lifetouch photo form by using this link -> bit.ly/CentennialHS2020. Ensure your student has reviewed rehearsal slides.  
• STUDENTS - Review these slides to ensure you know your role and steps during the ceremony.

PARKING

• PARENTS - Please park in one of the large parking lots south of Hilton and enter through the south entrance (see attached map of parking).  If you need handicap accessibility, please plan to park in Lot B-2 and enter through the lower west doors as indicated on the map. ISU ushers will meet you and your family at the south doors and usher you directly to seats. 
• SENIORS - Please park in one of the parking lots south of Hilton, enter through the southwest ticket office doors.

ENTERING

• PARENTS - Doors will open approximately 1.5 hours prior to commencement.  You must enter through the south entrance, unless a family member needs ADA access. An ISU usher will meet you at the door and usher you to an assigned seat.  Ushers will be taking ONLY 15 people per trip from the door to seating. This will take more time than normal for entry, so please plan to arrive early.  ISU has a clear bag policy so please plan accordingly.
• SENIORS - Once through southwest ticket office doors, report directly to the ground level.  A school official will meet you on the ground level and usher you to your seat. 

SEATING

• PARENTS - Due to our need to limit capacity, each family will receive 4 tickets for the ceremony.  NO ADDITIONAL TICKETS WILL BE PROVIDED.  Seating for the ceremony will be on the south, west, and north sides. Seating will be allowed only every other row and families will be spaced with 3 open seats between each family.  Ushers will direct your seating, so please comply with the directions your usher provides.  Students will not process but will begin the ceremony seated on the floor in alphabetical order.  Sign language interpreters will be located on the west side of the stage (left side as you face the stage), and students will walk across the stage to receive diplomas from south to north (right to left as you face the stage).
• STUDENTS - A school official will meet you at the ground level entrance to the floor at Hilton and escort you directly to a seat with your name on it.  Under your seat you will find a white packet of important documents, including your transcript, immunization card, and diploma.  PLEASE DO NOT OPEN YOUR PACKET UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE CEREMONY.  On top of the packet will be a commencement program.  

VIEWING THE CEREMONY

• Everyone who attends our ceremony does so wanting to hear the name of their loved one as they cross the stage.  For this reason we ask that you not shout, clap, or use noisemakers when your student's name is announced.  Doing so limits the ability of the next student's name to be heard by their family.  Thank you in advance for helping us to honor every student who is graduating.  
• Student caps and gowns are not to be adorned with any tape, pins, or other items. Spirit of the Jaguar medals, senior academic medals, and Silver cords, NHS cords, Quill and Scroll cords are encouraged to be worn.
• Hilton does not permit balloons, silly string, air horns for students or their families. Items of this nature will be confiscated by Hilton ushers.

FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY

• PARENTS - Follow the directions provided by ISU usher as you exit.
• STUDENTS - Please remain seated in your chair until a school official arrives and escorts you out the west side of the arena. 

We will send a reminder email the week of June 22nd with any other information you may need.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jen Lindaman

Principal