Graduations still to be held with restrictions

Graduation and proms are currently being planned, awaiting potential new guidance from New York State.

 WILLIAM FLOYD SCHOOL DISTRICT

The William Floyd School District will be hosting a curbside graduation on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On the students’ assigned day, parents are encouraged to begin lining up about 30 minutes before their scheduled alpha time.

On the day, graduates and families will enter through the William Paca Middle School entrance on Blanco Drive; cars will turn right and drive through and line up in the high school’s south parking lot. Beginning 10 minutes before each scheduled hour, cars will begin the procession past the tennis courts and the automotive wing of the high school, turning right to travel along the west side of the building into the staff parking lot.

Cars will proceed to the inner parent drop-off loop and one at a time, graduates will exit their car, walk across the stage, announce name and accept diploma cover. Social distancing will be adhered to on the stage and students will be required to wear a mask. A photograph will be taken of the graduate with the high school in the background. Photos will be available later for free download. Masks can be removed for the photo.

In the case of inclement weather, the rained-out alpha groups will be rescheduled to the first available good weather day beginning on Monday, June 28.

However, district officials sent a letter to the Gov. Andrew Cuomo requesting that he change outdoor graduation requirements. Should the Governor ease restrictions with enough time to transition to a traditional graduation without providing proof of vaccination or testing, the district will revisit the plan.

Also, the district is hosting a prom for seniors only on school grounds. The theme will be “Enchanted Forest” and it will be held on June 10.

Prom Night on Main Street is set for Monday, June 21, and is something the Class of 2021 never could have imagined. The students of Patchogue-Medford High School will start at the Veterans Memorial Park in Medford for a “mocktail hour” with soda trucks with specialty mocktails, food trucks with items to snack on, and professional photography to capture the special moment. Then, everyone will make their way down to Patchogue’s Main Street for dining, catered by the Patchogue Restaurant Committee, in addition to dancing and a few more special surprises.

"This amazing event is filled with a night of dancing, amazing food from local restaurants, fun activities with friends, a red carpet with paparazzi,  and memories that will never be forgotten," said Maddy Frascogna, Patchogue Medford Class of 2021 secretary."The community has gone above and beyond to make this a night no one will ever forget! The students are excited to have something so amazing to look forward to in such a rough school year! Personally, I am proud to be a Raider and cannot wait for such an amazing night!"

Saturday, June 26
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Last names A – Bee
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Last names Bef – Cap
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Last names Car – Dev
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.:   Last names Dew – Fy
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.:   Last names G – Hel
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.:   Last names Hem – Ko

Sunday, June 27
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Last names Kn – Ma  
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Last names Mb – Na
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Last names Ne – Pol

12 p.m. – 1 p.m.:   Last names Pom – Sag  
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.:   Last names Sah – Th  
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.:   Last names Ti – Z 

PATCHOGUE -MEDFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Graduation has been set for June 24 at 7 p.m. at the high school. 
The senior prom has been set for June 21 and will begin with a mocktail hour in Medford, where students will be able to take professional photos and prepackaged appetizers will be available. There will also be live music for about an hour before the class is shuttled to their next destination: Main Street in Patchogue, for outdoor dining.

Prom organizers have initiated the following safety measures:

If students decide to dance during the event, they can only dance with the group they are dining with. Groups are decided by students, but are designed to be small to limit any risk of infection. In compliance with COVID guidelines, parties of students who are dining together can dance as long as they are allotted at least 36 square feet. As the situation in the state evolves, the organizers will accommodate any added measures to ensure safety by staying in contact with state and local officials.

SOUTH COUNTRY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Bellport High School Graduation will be held on Friday, June 25. The graduation will start with a processional parade from the middle school, through Bellport Village, down South Country Road and up to the high school. Each graduate will be allowed one car with up to four additional family members and/or guests. Then, the ceremony will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. and will feature a large projection screen, sound system, FM radio transmission and live streaming.

During the ceremony, seniors will exit their vehicles and make their way to the staging area, present their name card to building administration, and walk across the stage to receive their diploma jacket.

Principal Timothy Hogan said the district will be adhering to all COVID-19 precautions in order to provide a safe and healthy environment and for the protection the students, parents, and staff. If anyone is experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms or is self-isolating, they should not attend the ceremony.

The South Country School District will also be holding their 2021 Senior Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Monday, June 7. The ceremonies will allow parents to attend in person as participating seniors receive a combination of community scholarships, military awards, building-based honors, department awards as well as Student Council and athletic awards.

The evening has been organized into three separate ceremonies (by alpha) to allow for in-person attendance while meeting the social-gathering guidelines outlined by the NYS Department of Health.

This year’s senior prom will be held on Friday, June 11 at Sunset Harbour. In order to manage social-distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols, the prom will be limited to members of the Class of 2021 only (no underclassmen or outside guests).

“Our end-of-year senior events are very special and meaningful,” said Hogan. “It is wonderful to celebrate with some sense of normalcy as our seniors complete their time at Bellport High School.”