Class of 2020 Commencement Details

Dear Graduates and Parents,

I am writing with details about our upcoming commencement ceremony on Saturday, July 18 at 8:30 am in Kline Alumni stadium. We have a great deal of information to share with you in preparation for the ceremony and ask that you please read this letter carefully and in its entirety.

In order for this to be a successful event that is also safe and healthy, we will need to adhere to the plans outlined below. We want to celebrate our graduates and enjoy our time together while taking into account the health and well-being of the Bullis community. Thank you again for understanding the need to limit our guests who accompany graduates.

Pre-Ceremony Expectations and Events:

• Friday, July 17 - Health and Safety Questionnaire to be completed. We will email the forms on Friday morning and it must be completed in order for all participants to attend the commencement ceremony. There will be one online form and the questions will apply to the health of everyone arriving in your car.
   
• Friday, July 17, 7:00 pm - Livestream of our Senior Supper speeches from Caleb Robinson, ‘20 and Dr. Celeste McDaniels. Congratulations to Caleb and Dr. McDaniels on being selected by members of the Class of 2020. This will be followed by a viewing of the senior video and lastly reminders from me about Saturday’s ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony:

Bullis School and CDC Guidelines:

• All participants (graduates and guests) must complete the health and safety questionnaire online by Saturday morning.
• All participants must wear a mask.
• All participants are to sit in assigned seating.
• All participants must maintain six (6) feet of physical distancing with the exception of their own family members.

Student Attire: In addition to the cap and gown

• Boys: Dark slacks, white shirt, tie, dress shoes
• Girls: Light colored dress or white blouse/skirt or dark slacks and appropriate dress shoes (you will be walking on turf so think twice about heels!)

Arrival Times:

In an effort to minimize contact, we have divided the class into three (3) pods by last name. Please plan to arrive on campus at your designated time and proceed directly to your seats in the stadium. If you arrive early, we will ask you to remain in your car as we want to ensure physical distancing as families move to their seats.

• 7:30 am - last name A through G
• 7:45 am - last name H through O
• 8:00 am - last name P through Z

Parking:

Please plan to park at the Stadium in the grass lot directly behind the bleachers. We will have police officers and security staff on campus to help direct traffic. If you need parking assistance due to ADA regulations, please contact the Director of Security: david_buerger@bullis.org

Seating:

Each member of the graduating class and guests will sit together on Donoghue Field. The seats will be labeled with student names alphabetically from left to right with “A” in the first seat of the first row closest to the end zone at Falls Road. Staff will be available to help if you have questions. Each seat will also contain a packet with the Bullis Alumni Pin and Bullis Medallion. Please do not put these on until the ceremony begins. Dr. Boarman will guide you through the process.

Ceremony:

The program will begin promptly at 8:30 am when Dr. Boarman asks all students and parents to rise for the sharing of the Bullis medallion and pinning of the alumni pin. We will hear from two student speakers, then present diplomas, and conclude with a message from Dr. Boarman. Graduates and their parents will recess out by row at the discretion of staff serving as ushers. We expect the program to last approximately 2 - 2 ½ hours.

Livestream Commencement Ceremony: Family and friends wishing to watch can access our Livestream of the ceremony.

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Please send questions to our Director of Events and Alumni Engagement: laura_tsampas@bullis.org

Enjoy the weekend and I look forward to welcoming you back to campus in a week.

Very Respectfully,

Robert J. Pollicino
Head of Upper School