Dear Members of the Class of 2020 and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of the Class of 2020:

On June 9, Governor Murphy stated that he expects to permit the size of outdoor gatherings to increase to 500 people effective July 3.  As you know, RFH is planning a graduation ceremony for the class of 2020 on Wednesday, July 8 (rain date is July 9).  (This plan is subject to the approval of the NJDOE.)  While we are thrilled to be able to plan an outdoor ceremony for the class of 2020, the 500 person limit presents some challenges.  The class of 2020 is comprised of approximately 235 students.  The RFH administration is committed to providing each graduate with two guest tickets and ensuring the class of 2020 can celebrate this milestone together.  As such, a plan has been developed to accomplish both objectives.  

RFH will facilitate two ceremonies on July 8, one at 9:00 AM and the other at 11:00 AM. The 9:00 AM ceremony will honor students with the last names A - Kre and the 11:00 AM will honor students with the last names Kri - Z.

As mentioned, every graduate will be given two guest tickets.  Additionally, each graduate will be given one ticket to the opposite ceremony.  To illustrate this, the following example is offered:

“Sally Senior” is scheduled to participate in the 11:00 AM graduation ceremony.  She is receiving two guest tickets.  Sally is electing to invite both of her parents to attend the 11:00 AM ceremony.  Sally is also receiving one ticket for her (ticket not transferable) to attend the 9:00 AM graduation ceremony where she can be seated among the class of 2020 to watch her classmates in the earlier part of the alphabet graduate.  Sally’s attendance at the 9:00 AM ceremony is strictly voluntary.

RFH administration anticipates the ceremonies to be between 45-50 minutes in duration.   It is imperative that parents/invited guests enter and exit the ceremony area as quickly as possible.  This will ensure an efficient transition and will provide ample time to disinfect the seats as required.  If feasible, please carpool (graduates and attending family members) or consider walking to the ceremony as parking is limited.   In order to facilitate these ceremonies, RFH MUST follow all public safety protocols in place on the day of the events.  Detailed information regarding public health requirements and ceremony logistics will be mailed home along with the ceremony tickets and diplomas during the last week in June. (Students will receive their diploma covers during the ceremony on July 8.) In the very near future, seniors will be emailed a confirmation of ceremony attendance questionnaire.  It is very important that each senior indicates whether or not s/he will be attending her/his assigned ceremony.

If you have not done so already, please register for the Virtual Celebration of the Class of 2020 scheduled to launch on Friday, June 19 at 5:00 PM.  Click here to register.  This ceremony is available for on-demand viewing through the access link and will be accessible for six months.  As previously indicated, the Virtual Celebration of the Class of 2020’s primary purpose is to confer the class of 2020’s diplomas.  However, due to nationwide yearbook production delays, this venue served as an opportunity to collect photographic images of members of the class of 2020.  Seniors were invited to submit candid shots from the last four years.  These images were supplemented by photographs taken by yearbook photographers, RFH student activity advisors, and the team of creative senior parents that developed an interactive social media activity for the members of the class.  For your convenience and planning purposes, the breakdown of the Virtual Celebration of the Class of 2020 is as follows:

Total Length:  approx. 1 hour 6 minutes
Introduction and Prelude:  approx. 12 minutes
Presentation of the Class of 2020:  approx. 4 minutes
Conferral of Diplomas:  approx. 27 minutes
Senior Candid Photos:  approx. 21 minutes
Alma Mater:  approx. 2 minutes

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in celebrating the class of 2020.

Sincerely,

Tracy R. Handerhan, D.Litt.
Principal