Dear Parents/Guardians and Husky Grads,

We are now just one week away from seeing our 2021 Husky Grads cross the stage. This newsletter includes updates regarding the In-Person Valedictory Event being held at North Delta Secondary on June 11 and 12 and information about the Valedictory Video to be released at the end of the school year.

Valedictory Video

It has come to our attention that there is some confusion amongst some grads regarding where the Valedictory Video will be published. The video will be published on Vimeo (NOT You Tube) and a password-protected link will be sent to grads and their families in order to access it. Any grads participating in the in-person valedictory event on June 11 or 12 who were not previously filmed by Mr. Lum wearing their cap and gown are being offered one final opportunity to do so this week. Please contact Mr. Lum (alum@deltaschools.ca) to arrange a time.  Under normal pre-COVID circumstances, Valedictory would be live-streamed so that friends and family who were unable to attend would still have the chance to see their graduating student cross the stage. While we understand that the Valedictory Video will not replace the opportunity for people to see their graduating student cross the stage in person, we hope that the Valedictory Video offers the opportunity for close family and friends to be a part of this important milestone celebration.

In-Person Valedictory Event

Each graduating student wishing to cross the stage on June 11 or 12 should now have selected a specific appointment time to attend the event. If your student has forgotten their appointment time, please contact the office. The event will take place in 20-minute time slots that include a maximum of eight graduating students and their accompanying guests. Highlights of students crossing the stage and other parts of the event will be included in the Valedictory Video.

It is important that all students and guests adhere to the safety precautions and event instructions below in order that this event is able to take place safely within Health Guidelines.

Event Safety Precautions

Due to health and safety restrictions, it is important that graduating students and household members adhere to the following restrictions:

• Each graduating student is permitted to have UP TO 2 HOUSEHOLD ADULTS join them at the school for this event.
• The graduating student should arrive at the school already dressed in their cap and gown.
• The graduating student and household members should arrive at the school 10 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. Please remain in your vehicle until 10 minutes prior to your selected time.
• Only one vehicle with the graduating student and up to two household members will be allowed to enter the parking lot.
• Only two household members will be permitted to leave the car and participate in the event. Additional spectators will not be permitted. This will be strictly enforced.
• Physical distancing and the wearing of masks will be required at all times, with the exception of organized photographs.
• Graduating students and household members are expected to leave the school grounds immediately following their scheduled time. We ask that families and friends who wish to take photos outside, please refrain from doing so on school grounds
• Graduating students who arrive late for their scheduled time may be asked to sign up for another time or may be required to wait until they can be safely accommodated in another time slot.
• As this is a school-sanctioned event, all school rules and the District Code of Conduct will be in effect in order to ensure everyone’s safety. Any indication that an individual is violating school rules or the District Code of Conduct will be treated seriously and entry into the event will be denied.

What To Expect During the Event

Graduating students and up to two accompanying adults will enter the front foyer through the main doors to the school. In the front foyer, students will receive their graduation folder. This will include a certificate, grad composite photo and each student’s Valedictory comment that they were asked to submit earlier in the year. Graduating students will also sign a Grad 2021 banner while in the foyer.

Students and guests will enter the gym and be asked to line up at marked locations along the west wall of the gym in front of the bleachers. As students approach the stage individually, they will hand their comment to the staff member so that it can be read as they cross the stage. Accompanying guests will be asked to move to the designated viewing area. There, they will be able to see and take pictures of their grad. Each graduate’s brief comment will be read as they cross the stage and each grad will also have a professional photo taken on stage by an Artona photographer.

Each grad will exit the stage along the red carpet. Accompanying guests may re-join their graduate part way along the walk down the red carpet. Each grad and their guests will then have the opportunity to have a ‘family’ photograph taken.

Throughout the event, Mr. Lum will be recording portions of the Valedictory event so that it can be included in the Valedictory Video.

Following the ‘family’ photo, each grad will receive a small keepsake as they exit the gymnasium through the east doors. Upon exiting the building, we ask that grads and their guests make their way to their vehicle and exit the school grounds.

Non-Sanctioned Events

We recognize that graduation is a significant milestone for our students and their families and acknowledge that this year is not how our grads envisioned their final year. While we want to make this year-end ceremony meaningful for students and families, we are relying on your cooperation so that we can remain consistent with the Provincial Health Officer’s Gathering and Events Order and the K-12 Health & Safety Guidelines.

Please be advised that any Grad activities that are not mentioned above have not been approved or endorsed by district staff and the Delta Board of Education, and are non-sanctioned events. Since these events are organized outside of the school purview, the school and school district can take no responsibility for such events and activities.

Community-organized and private events (not school-sponsored) must follow the requirements of the B.C. Restart Plan and the recently updated Order on Gatherings and Events. They must also have a COVID-19 Safety Plan. We encourage you to be aware of the nature and details of any events your children are participating in to minimize their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and to protect the wider community by helping to keep the number of cases low.

We are excited to recognize the achievements of the Graduating Class of 2021 and we look forward to graduating students and their accompanying guests being a part of the upcoming celebration on June 11 and 12.

Sincerely,

Mr. A. Akune, Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians and Husky Grads,

As a follow-up to the Grad Newsletter – May 20, the information below will provide greater detail regarding the In-Person Valedictory Event being held at North Delta Secondary on June 11 and 12.

Date & Time: Friday, June 11 – 4:00 – 8:20pm, Saturday, June 12 – 10:00am – 1:40pm

The event will take place in 20-minute time slots.  Up to eight students will be able to book a time during each 20-minute time slot.

Valedictory Event Sign Up

Earlier this week, a Valedictory Event Sign-Up Form was emailed to grads through their Delta Learns email accounts so they can sign up for a time slot on June 11 or 12. Students are able to sign up online for their preferred time on a first come first served basis.

Event Safety Precautions

Due to health and safety restrictions, it is important that graduating students and household members adhere to the following restrictions:

• Each graduating student is permitted to have UP TO 2 HOUSEHOLD ADULTS join them at the school for this event.
• The graduating student should arrive at the school already dressed in their cap and gown.
• The graduating student and household members should arrive at the school 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time slot. Please remain in your vehicle until 10 minutes prior to your selected time.
• Only one vehicle with the graduating student and up to two household members will be allowed to enter the parking lot.
• Only two household members will be permitted to leave the car and participate in the event. Additional spectators will not be permitted. This will be strictly enforced.
• Physical distancing and the wearing of masks will be required at all times, with the exception of organized photographs.
• Graduating students and household members are expected to leave the school grounds immediately following their scheduled time.
• graduating students who arrive late for their scheduled time may be asked to sign up for another time or may be required to wait until they can be safely accommodated in another time slot.
• as this is a school-sanctioned event, all school rules and the District Code of Conduct will be in effect in order to ensure everyone’s safety. Any indication that an individual is violating school rules or the District Code of Conduct will be treated seriously and entry into the event will be denied.

What To Expect During the Event

Graduating students and up to two accompanying adults will enter the front foyer through the main doors to the school. In the front foyer, students will receive their graduation folder. This will include a certificate, grad composite photo and each student’s Valedictory comment that they were asked to submit earlier in the year. Graduating students will also sign a Grad 2021 banner while in the foyer.

Students and guests will enter the gym and be asked to line up at marked locations along the west wall of the gym in front of the bleachers. As students approach the stage individually, they will hand their comment to the staff member so that it can be read as they cross the stage. Accompanying guests will be asked to move to the roped off viewing area. There, they will be able to see and take pictures of their grad. Each graduate’s brief comment will be read as they cross the stage and each grad will also have a professional photo taken on stage by an Artona photographer.

Each grad will exit the stage along the red carpet. Accompanying guests may re-join their graduate part way along the walk down the red carpet. Each grad and their guests will then have the opportunity to have a ‘family’ photograph taken.

Throughout the event, Mr. Lum will be recording portions of the Valedictory event in order to create a highlight component for the Valedictory Video.

Following the ‘family’ photo, each grad will receive a small keepsake as they exit the gymnasium through the east doors. Upon exiting the building, we ask that grads and their guests make their way to their vehicle and exit the school grounds.

We recognize that graduation is a significant milestone for our students and their families and acknowledge that this year is not how our grads envisioned their final year. While we want to make this year-end ceremony meaningful for students and families, we are relying on your cooperation so that we can remain consistent with the Provincial Health Officer’s Gathering and Events Order and the K-12 Health & Safety Guidelines.

We are excited to recognize the achievements of the Graduating Class of 2021 and we look forward to graduating students and their accompanying guests being a part of the upcoming celebration on June 11 and 12.

Sincerely,

Mr. A. Akune, Principal