Murdock High School Graduation Ceremonies to be Held on Alumni Stadium Field July 31
Murdock High School will hold an in-person commencement ceremony on Friday, July 31 at 5:00 p.m. on Alumni Stadium Field at Murdock High School on Memorial Drive, according to a letter sent to families by Murdock High School Principal Thad King. If necessary, the rain date will be Sunday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Attendance is limited to immediate household family members, and families must pre-register to be admitted. Pre-registration is a requirement of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The field will be marked out into designated areas, and family members may bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. "Throughout the ceremony, everyone's safety is our priority, social distancing will be strictly enforced," the letter states.
Graduates will be seated in front of the stage, six feet apart, with families seated behind them. Graduates are asked to arrived dressed in caps and gowns no earlier than 4:15 p.m.
The yearbook photographer will take professional photos of each graduate as they receive their diploma.
Mr. King states that new guidelines may be implemented as the date approaches, and asks families to be flexible. The schools are working with DESE and the Town of Winchendon to ensure a safe and healthy graduation ceremony.
Superintendent Sends DESE "Frequently Asked Questions" Factsheet to Winchendon Families
On Monday, July 13, Winchendon Public Schools Superintendant Joan Landers sent a letter to families of students that incorporated a list of "frequently asked questions" (or FAQ) about school reopening developed by Commissioner Jeff Riley of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
The FAQ summarizes some of the information included in the long guidelines document released several weeks ago. It emphasizes that the DESE recommends in-person learning as the preferred model over remote learning, saying "there is no substitute for in-person instruction when it comes to the quality of students' academic learning," and that school also supports "students' social-emotional needs, including their mental and physical health, and mitigating the impacts of trauma."
Other questions in the FAQ affirm that parents may choose remote learning instead of sending their child to school, and may change their mind and send a child to school after starting the year with remote learning.
The FAQ also explains the difference between formal homeschooling and remote learning, calling homeschooling "a type of private education." The FAQ informs parents that "the homeschooling program must be approved in advance by the superintendent or school committee of the district of residence."
As with previous information about plans to reopen school this fall, the FAQ has evoked a variety of responses from parents. Some parents are insisting that they will not send their child to school under the recommended safety protocols, which include mask wearing for students in grade 2 and up, distancing, small class sizes and classes staying in the same room for all activities, including lunch.
Monty Tech to Honor Class of 2020 in Unconventional Commencement Ceremony
FITCHBURG - On Wednesday, July 29th, Monty Tech will celebrate its 49th annual commencement, honoring the 333 members of the Class of 2020. While the graduation ceremony may look and feel different than in years past, school officials have gone to great lengths to capture a traditional feel in this very unconventional time.
The outdoor ceremony will begin at 6:00pm. Each student is allowed to invite four immediate family members, who will be asked to provide their names and wear wristbands, which will aid in tracing and tracking efforts, should the need arise. Because parking is very limited, graduates and families are encouraged to arrive in the same vehicle no earlier than 4:45pm. (One parking pass will be provided to each graduate prior to the ceremony.) Only those guests who have been registered, and are wearing wristbands will be admitted into the ceremony. These guests will be seated in a designated 10’ x 10’ space, marked within a larger grid that will accommodate guests for each graduate. Guests are asked to remain in their designated space for the entirety of the ceremony, respecting social distancing
guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two large LED projection screens will be in use, to ensure families are able to clearly observe their special graduate crossing the stage.
By order of the Commonwealth, all attendees must wear face coverings before, during, and after the ceremony. The only exceptions are when a person is unable to wear a face covering or mask because of a medical or other disabling condition. Speakers may remove masks
during their remarks. This year, the Class of 2020 will hear from two outstanding students: Valedictorian Kathleen Fahey and Salutatorian Alison Miller. In an unusual turn, both students hale from the school’s Dental Assisting program, and both will pursue advanced training in education to build on their high school vocational program.
While the 2019-2020 school year may have had an unpredictable ending, the long-standing tradition of celebrating student achievement is alive and well at Monty Tech. Congratulations to Valedictorian Kathleen Fahey and Salutatorian Alison Miller, and to each and every member of the Monty Tech Class of 2020.
In the event of a storm, the ceremony will be delayed to Thursday, July 30, 2020.
Monty Tech Awards Scholarships for College and Funds to Start Careers
FITCHBURG----Despite the pandemic putting a halt to annual senior fundraising efforts, Monty Tech was able to award more than $100,000 in scholarships for higher education and funds to enter the workforce to members of the Class of 2020 at a virtual award ceremony held recently in the school.
Principal Thomas R. Browne and Assistant Principal Dayana Carlson conducted the ceremony.
In addition to congratulating the class members on all their accomplishments the past four years, Principal Browne noted that due to the global pandemic this year’s graduates experienced obstacles unlike anything students have faced in over a century.
“We are incredibly proud of all you have had to go through this year. You were faced with unprecedented challenges. You met those challenges, and succeeded,” he said.
Superintendent-Director Dr. Sheila M. Harrity stated that although the pandemic put a halt to annual senior scholarship fundraisers, the school, thanks to its numerous supporters, was able to award more than $100,000 in scholarships for students going on to college and for equipment for those entering the workforce.
“Although COVID 19 may have pressed pause on some of the day-to-day activities as we knew it, the actions and relationships our students and staff have developed over the years have kept our school supporters committed and strong,” she said.
She noted how the pandemic had drastically changed the students’ final year of high school, resulting in them missing out on many senior-year elated events and traditions.
“While we all faced challenges together, the social isolation of the pandemic has been especially burdensome to our graduating seniors who have missed out on a number of the social events that mark this important transition in their lives. We only hope that the events and recognition like awards night that have been substituted for our traditional events will, in some small way, signify our recognition of your loss and our hope that you will always think fondly of your time at Monty Tech,” she said.