May 1, 2020

Dear Parents of Seniors,

"As the river flows before us, we move forward to succeed." This line from the Bolles Alma Mater is particularly meaningful today as we approach and plan for Commencement. There is no time more special on campus each year – this is a season of cherished traditions, lifelong reflection and celebration. Each year, Bolles honors distinguished new alumni who are ready to blaze their own trails and make a difference in the world. As we plan for our 88th Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2020, a collective passion and excitement for this special day guides our efforts.

The leadership team has been working diligently to ensure we are hosting an honorable and meaningful event for our seniors, with a focus on proper social distancing and good health practices. Hosting Commencement on Saturday, May 23 was certainly not a decision made lightly, and we do reserve the right to postpone the ceremony should the situation worsen/change in the next couple of weeks. At this time, the number of COVID cases is expected to peak in Jacksonville at the end of this month and in first days of May. We are currently in the beginning of Phase 1 of returning to normal life and hope to be in Phase 2 by mid-May. The recommendation to move forward with the May date additionally was made following examination of CDC guidelines, the National Coronavirus Response and state and local resources, as well as conversations with our accrediting associations, SAIS and FCIS.

Given these facts, I wanted to share with each of you how this year's Commencement will look and outline our guidelines for this special day:

Set-Up: The set-up will remain as it has for the past several years with the stage placed along the bluff of the river on the River Campus. Chairs will be set up in "family pods" six feet apart from the next family. Each graduate will arrive with their parents by 8:30 a.m. and sit with them in each family's assigned location. The set-up will spread from the gazebo and Commencement Pointe to the bluff by the Whitehurst Campus. Signs with the graduate's name will mark each family pod and will run in alphabetical order. We ask that families not move chairs or seat locations. The campus will remain closed, limiting restroom facilities and with only the outdoor areas on the River Campus open. Hand sanitizer stations will be available in a variety of locations.

Guests: Our Commencement ceremony in May will, by necessity, be much smaller and of limited capacity. In order to allow us to properly plan for appropriate physical distancing, Commencement will be open only to graduates and their parents. Please note that additional family members are not able to attend. We are asking graduates and their parents to arrive in one car and campus security will direct you to park in spots in the front of Bolles Hall or along the Whitehurst Campus.

Photos: Unfortunately, we will not be taking the traditional senior class picture in front of Bolles Hall. A professional photographer will be there to take each graduate's photo as they receive their diploma. In addition, Easy Edit Video will be live streaming the event and will have CDs available for individual purchase in the week following the event. The live stream may be viewed on the home page of www.bolles.org on the day of the event.

Attire: We realize some of you may not have been able to purchase the traditional dress for this event. While we still recommend this attire, (found here) we will have some grace recognizing the current situation. Your attire should be as close as possible to the traditional dress and honor the formality of the ceremony.

RSVP: It is vital that we hear from you of your plans to attend in order for us to make appropriate preparations for the day. Please take a moment and complete the RSVP form here. For those students who either cannot attend (due to distance) or choose not to for personal reasons, I will be hosting virtual graduations and will be in touch with you. In addition, every member of the Class of 2020 will be recognized and celebrated. If you are not able to attend, the senior portrait photo of each graduate will be shown on the live stream and on video.

Thank you in advance for your support and patience. We recognize that this is a departure from our important traditions, and hope you understand and trust that we are operating in the best interests of the Bolles community within existing limitations and concerns. Please know we care about and appreciate each of you and are proud to honor you at this special occasion you have each worked so hard to reach. Congratulations on this milestone—one of many yet to come!

Respectfully,

Tyler Hodges

President and Head of School