Update on Class of 2021 Events

Dear Class of 2021 Students and Caregivers,

We thank you for your continued patience as we continue to receive new guidance from the state and make adjustments accordingly. As you may know, Governor Baker has relaxed restrictions related to COVID-19; resulting in updated guidance from Commissioner Riley at MA DESE.

I want to provide details for each senior event again and explain the changes we have made.

Wednesday, June 2nd 12:30 pm – Graduate Lunch: Food Trucks and Outdoor Games

There will be several food trucks and outdoor games in front of Smith Hall beginning at 12:30 pm. Seniors should park in the South Campus lot. Unfortunately, we are not able to have the parade that was originally scheduled for June 2nd. After discussion with the Danvers Police Department, it is not possible to safely have the parade with all of the traffic on Route 62, which is a busy state highway. There will be many students and staff on campus due to activities and athletics while the parade will be occurring. I know this is disappointing, but I am confident that we have an amazing senior week planned with many fun events for the Class of 2021.

Thursday, June 3rd
8:30 am – Senior Breakfast, Yearbook Distribution, Sign Out
10:00 am – Graduation Practice
6:00 pm – Awards Night

The Senior Breakfast and Yearbook Distribution will begin at 8:30 am in the main cafeteria and the gym. We will also have senior sign out at this time. Graduation Practice will begin at 10:00 am and should last approximately one hour. This is the first year since we opened for us to be able to distribute yearbooks!

Awards Night will be held in the gymnasium on Thursday, June 3rd at 6:00 pm. Many members of the Class of 2021 will be recognized for achievement, merit, and service through scholarships and awards. Parents/guardians of those students will receive a personal invitation to the Awards Night ceremony. All graduates attending Awards Night are asked to wear their gown to the ceremony. Caps are not required.

Friday, June 4th 6:00 pm – Graduation

Rain Date: Saturday, June 5th 10:00 am – Graduation Rain Date (if inclement weather)

The Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2021 will be held at the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School Stadium. If a decision is made to move graduation to the rain date, Saturday, June 5th, seniors and caregivers will be notified shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June, 4th through the school’s Blackboard Connect phone message system. We have reviewed the information from Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley carefully and given the changes, we are able to offer two additional seats per family. These additional seats will be socially distanced seats on the bleachers. Therefore, each family will have two seats on the field with their graduate and two seats on the bleachers for additional guests. All seniors will receive a Graduation Invitation with their field seating assignment and two bleacher tickets at Senior Sign Out.

When outdoors, students will not be required to wear masks and students should distance when possible. In addition, attendees and staff will not be required to wear masks and are encouraged to distance from individuals not in their household as feasible. Attendees are encouraged to wear face coverings if they are not vaccinated.

It is always best to arrive early (by 5:00 pm) to avoid difficulties in parking your car and to allow time to be seated well before the procession begins. There will be designated parking for those guests with handicap plates.

Our Graduation Ceremony and Awards Night formally recognize the accomplishments of our seniors—all of whom have worked and succeeded in so many ways during their high school years. Please help your graduate reflect on the importance of both these occasions. Graduates should dress appropriately—men should wear collared shirts and slacks; women should wear dresses, skirts, or dress slacks so that gowns fit properly. We ask that there be no tank tops, shorts, or blue jeans, as these will detract from the dignity of commencement events. In addition, graduates must wear dress shoes or sandals. Please be advised: due to the delicate nature of both the synthetic field and track, high heels are not allowed. If a student arrives with footwear that is deemed inappropriate by the administration, the student will be given a pair of flip flops. Consider wearing flats or wedges, as they will not damage the turf. Guests wearing heels will be asked to sit in the stadium.

Both the Graduation Ceremony and Awards Night will be live streamed to our YouTube channel, for family members who are not able to attend.

Saturday, June 5th 5:30 pm Prom

As mentioned previously, we will hold the Prom on the lawn of Smith Hall, in a garden party style from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. We will provide appetizers and desserts, and we will have a DJ as well. Given that this event is outdoors, students will not be required to wear masks. Unfortunately, we are still not able to accommodate outside guests, this event will be for members of the Class of 2021 only.

If you have any questions, please contact me at sdonnelly@essextech.net.

Sincerely,

The Larkin Project