Letter to the Class of 2020 Students and Families

The high school administration and staff is working to finalize plans for Senior Awards Night and Graduation for the Class of 2020. We want to share details and information with all of our seniors and their families.

Senior Awards Night
Senior Awards Night will be a fully virtual ceremony. It will be aired on PRTV and streamed on the PRSD website on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.  All of the traditional program recognitions will be included - department awards, National Honor Society service, honor graduates, scholarship recipients, perfect SAT/ACT scores, National Merit Scholars, top ten percent, and the tertiary, salutatorian, and valedictorian. Family members from across the globe and down the street will be able to participate in this celebration.
Click here for the video.
Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate will be a fully virtual ceremony. It will be aired on PRTV and streamed on the PRSD website on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.  The program will include student speakers, a staff reflection, and a message from a local youth leader. Families will be able to participate in this event.
 
Graduation
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. with a rain date of Saturday, June 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. The high school administration and senior leadership team have been collaborating with Allegheny County Health Department to determine if a modified, on-field event is possible. Specific details related to the live, on-field ceremony will be shared if health/safety guidelines permit.

Additionally, a virtual ceremony is also being designed. It will be aired on PRTV and streamed on the PRSD website on Friday, June 5, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.  This approach will ensure that graduation occurs as planned on June 5, 2020. Efforts are underway to develop a high quality, virtual ceremony that students will have for their lifetimes. Once again, family members from around the world will be able to participate in honoring all of our graduates.

Due to the need for the virtual ceremony, we would like to inform you of the following details for seniors to pick up their caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, and other awards. Each set of details will have the appropriate social distancing and health/safety guidelines as our shared priority.

●       Wednesday, May 20, 2020
○       Seniors will be permitted to come to the high school to drop off course books, library books
and technology devices and then retrieve materials from their lockers and other locations
as needed (art work, musical instruments, etc).
○       Seniors still needing materials will be able to drop them off May 27 or 28.
○       Seniors will pick up their pre-ordered cap and gown and their pre-ordered yearbook.
○       In order to maintain a safe environment for all students, please follow the schedule listed
below and make plans accordingly to come to the school.
●       Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, 2020
○       Seniors will come to the stadium to pick-up diplomas and other awards and have their
picture taken wearing their caps and gowns and holding their diplomas.  An individual
picture and one with family members will be taken at mid-field under the graduation trellis.
○       Students are encouraged to wear typical graduation attire (dress, black pants, dress
shoes). Full length pictures will be shared with seniors and their family in a digital format
and will be part of the virtual ceremony.

●       We need your assistance in making this moment happen for every senior and their family! We must
continue to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone, including maintaining social
distance. All guests must wear masks. PLEASE review and follow the scheduled times for diploma
pick-up as they are listed here:
Directions for Diploma Pick-Up:
●       Student & family members arrive at the designated time and park in Stadium lot
○       Line up at the Visitor Entrance Gate to the stadium wearing cap & gown. Waiting areas will be taped off to
ensure proper social distancing.
○       The line will form along the stadium sidewalk and extend to the main entrance. PLEASE remain in your
vehicle as needed until a spot is available should the line extend to this point.
●       Student and family enter through visitor gate and remain tightly together.
○       Staff members wearing masks and gloves will be at the visitor gate to deliver the diploma to the student
without physical contact.
●     A table at the gate will have a clear bag with the student’s diploma, awards & certificates, etc.
○       Senior and family move to midfield to have pictures taken by photographer John Madia. He will take one
photo of our senior and one of the senior and family. Masks may be removed for the photo.
○       The family will exit the stadium at the Scoreboard end of the field.
Finally, if a modified, on-field graduation ceremony is impossible due to health/safety restrictions on June 5, 2020, the high school administrators have surveyed their students and have identified July 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. as an alternative, on-field ceremony date.  The rain date will be Saturday, July 25, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.   

Beattie Career Center Pickup Information

● Beattie Career Center is sharing details on the guidelines during scheduled pick-up times. Click here for the information.
Senior Celebrations

●         “Light Up Pine-Richland Night” will be held on Friday, May 29th.  There will be a parade through the community led by the NRPD beginning at 5:00 p.m. This should be a wonderful community experience with green and white displays everywhere.  Let’s make this a special senior celebration night.   

●       We will communicate additional details regarding a summer celebration for our seniors as details and information are available.

●       Banners honoring senior athletes will be on display throughout the high school campus near the stadium, softball field and tennis courts during the week of May 18th.  Families are encouraged to take a slow ride through campus to see our senior banners on display. Please follow social distancing guidelines.
Congratulations Class of 2020! We look forward to seeing you on May 20th at the school. We look forward to seeing you and your family on May 27 or May 28 for diploma pick-up.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Nancy Bowman, Principal
Mr. Rob Puskas, Assistant Principal
Mr. T.J. Salopek, Assistant Principal
Dr. Stephanie Svilar, Assistant Principal