Families expressed a strong desire for students to cross a covered stage and receive the recognition that they have earned, so we have added an opportunity for graduates to participate in an in-person stage ceremony at Clarkston High School on Friday, June 12 between 9am and 7pm. We are constructing a stage near the stadium and will be inviting families to report to the CHS event lot at a designated time, where they will be greeted by cheering District staff members. Campus will be blanketed in blue and gold with congratulatory signage. When signaled, the student will exit the vehicle, approach the stage, be introduced, and receive his or her diploma cover and a class flower from our administration and Board. For the safety of all involved, family members must remain in the vehicle. All families will be given printed graduation programs.
We have hired professional photographers who will capture candid photos of these moments, and take a posed photo of the graduate on a green screen, which will allow families to choose their preferred background. Each student will receive a code for a free photo download, as well as have the opportunity to purchase additional downloads or prints. A video crew will be on-hand to capture the excitement and we will create a second graduation video with highlights from the Class of 2020's commencement weekend. This recap video will be shared in late June. Diplomas will be mailed or delivered in late June with personalized letters that feature heartfelt notes from our teachers to each graduate - a Clarkston tradition.
Unlike any previous senior class, the Clarkston Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to showcase their individuality and creativity by adorning their graduation caps in ways that are unique to them. Students, post a photo of your decorated cap on social media with the hashtag #Clarkston2020 and tag Clarkston Community Schools.
...and wherever you made memories in your home town!
Cruise by all of the places that have meaning for YOU, take a photo from your passenger window, and share it using #ClarkstonCruise2020.
The District will broadcast a virtual graduation ceremony for Clarkston High School on Saturday, June 13 at 7pm on the Clarkston Community Schools YouTube channel. Our Senior Board of students has been working tirelessly on this presentation, and we are confident that they, along with our media production team, administration, and communications department, will deliver a memorable virtual ceremony. The video will follow the format of a traditional graduation with a welcome from Board President Kelli Horst, and words from our senior speaker and administration. Students' names will be read, just as they would be in a traditional ceremony, and each student's picture will appear. Our Senior Board will share special reflections, photos, and memories; we will hear traditional graduation music by our CHS band and choir; honors will be highlighted to celebrate academic achievements. There will even be an invitation to participate in the traditional turning of the tassel.
LINK COMING SOON
On this day, your last day of senior year and what would have been your Senior Walk, we would like to first acknowledge the sense of loss that many of you are feeling. No one expected the year to end this way, and like you, we wish we were together at Clarkston High School today. Like you, we are feeling the absence of the traditional senior celebrations all of us hoped you would have this week.
In an ordinary year, end-of-year senior events run like clockwork. We are all aware of our roles and responsibilities, and while it is a tremendously busy time, we're able to operate individually and collectively as a team with a high degree of predictability. Things have been a little more difficult to navigate in this very extraordinary year. We want to thank those of you who have shown us grace, flexibility, and support as we work together to reimagine what these end-of-year senior events will look like in the weeks ahead.
The District has spent considerable time listening to your feedback and exploring alternative plans. We understand that many of you have different ideas about how to go about graduation. We agree with the prevalent opinion that a traditional graduation ceremony is the preferred way to honor our students' academic achievements; however, state and local guidelines regarding social distancing prevent the District from allowing mass gatherings at this time. As you are aware, neither state or federal officials are able to provide a clear timeline for when large gatherings will again be safe.
We realize that our alternative plans will not meet everyone's wishes and expectations, nor can we plan for every possible future scenario. Our goal is to provide the best possible commencement celebration for our students with the appropriate guidance from local and state officials. Ultimately, the plan for graduation and all subsequent details related to it, are the responsibilities of the school and district administration. We hope that you can embrace these plans and make it a joyful time to remember. Here are our current plans:
Caps, gowns, honor cords, yearbooks, and special gifts will be hand-delivered by CHS staff to homes from June 3 - June 5. (This replaces the on-campus distribution that was outlined in a previous communication.) Our staff will contact each family on his or her delivery route to set up a time and explain the process, which includes students gathering and returning any books, uniforms, technology loans, or other school materials. It would be helpful for you to start organizing these items now.
As we have shared previously, the District will broadcast a virtual graduation ceremony for Clarkston High School on Saturday, June 13 at 7pm on the Clarkston Community Schools YouTube channel. Our Senior Board of students has been working tirelessly on this presentation, and we are confident that they, along with our media production team, administration, and communications department, will deliver a memorable virtual ceremony. The video will follow the format of a traditional graduation with a welcome from Board President Kelli Horst, and words from our senior speaker and administration. Students' names will be read, just as they would be in a traditional ceremony, and each student's picture will appear. Our Senior Board will share special reflections, photos, and memories; we will hear traditional graduation music by our CHS band and choir; honors will be highlighted to celebrate academic achievements. There will even be an invitation to participate in the traditional turning of the tassel.
Families expressed a strong desire for students to cross a covered stage and receive the recognition that they have earned, so we have added an opportunity for graduates to participate in an in-person stage ceremony at Clarkston High School on Friday, June 12 between 9am and 7pm. We are constructing a stage near the stadium and will be inviting families to report to the CHS event lot at a designated time, where they will be greeted by cheering District staff members. Campus will be blanketed in blue and gold with congratulatory signage. When signaled, the student will exit the vehicle, approach the stage, be introduced, and receive his or her diploma cover and a class flower from our administration and Board. For the safety of all involved, family members must remain in the vehicle. All families will be given printed graduation programs.
We have hired professional photographers who will capture candid photos of these moments, and take a posed photo of the graduate on a green screen, which will allow families to choose their preferred background. Each student will receive a code for a free photo download, as well as have the opportunity to purchase additional downloads or prints. A video crew will be on-hand to capture the excitement and we will create a second graduation video with highlights from the Class of 2020's commencement weekend. This recap video will be shared in late June. Diplomas will be mailed or delivered in late June with personalized letters that feature heartfelt notes from our teachers to each graduate - a Clarkston tradition.
Unlike any previous senior class, the Clarkston Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to showcase their individuality and creativity by adorning their graduation caps in ways that are unique to them. Students, post a photo of your decorated cap on social media with the hashtag #Clarkston2020 and tag Clarkston Community Schools.
We are also moving forward with our plans for a car procession for families throughout the afternoon on Saturday, June 13. The optional "Class of 2020 Commencement Cruise" is a fun opportunity for families to drive through town in decorated vehicles to cheers and fanfare throughout our community (including a congratulatory banner over Main Street). This is not intended to be an invitation for parents or others to congregate or line the streets as we normally would for a parade. The idea is that businesses and residents along the route would be invited to decorate their windows, post signs, and clap and wave from their front porches. The District will be taking photos and video as the Class of 2020 cruises around town, which will be incorporated into our commencement weekend recap video. We are meeting with leadership from Independence Township, the Village, and The Oakland County Sheriff's Office this week to ensure this can be accomplished in a safe way with respect to traffic flow and social distancing guidelines. We will be sharing the cruise route and time frame in a future communication.
The CHS stadium will be illuminated on the evenings of June 12 and June 13 in honor of the Class of 2020.
Once again, this virtual ceremony, stage presentation, and commencement "cruise" do not preclude the possibility for a later celebration organized and hosted by the Senior Celebrations Committee of parents. We remain hopeful that off-campus social gatherings for graduates may be possible at a later time when it is safe and legal to convene.
Our alternative commencement plans reflect our best thinking given the opportunities and limitations as we know them today. Though the world around us feels uncertain, we do have the power to decide how we respond. We look forward to the weeks ahead and to our graduates' collective futures with optimism.
Sincerely,
Shawn Ryan
Superintendent
Gary Kaul
CHS Principal
It is our honor to recognize members of the Clarkston High School Class of 2020 who were awarded special distinctions for their extraordinary leadership and academic performance.
This year, we are trying to eliminate the number of seniors not pictured in the yearbook. Therefore, all seniors will have their picture taken on Schedule Pick-Up Day (Tuesday, August 13). This picture will only be used if a studio picture is not submitted to the yearbook advisor from the senior photo photographer.
Below is a list of recommended photography studios that have provided quality products and service to CHS students. If your student has not gotten their pictures done, please consider using one of these trusted photographers.
Photography By Joanne Gentile
Joannegentile.com
(248) 535-3056
David Yarnell Photography
(810) 814-3301
Flashes of Life Photography
Folphotography.com
(248) 535-6156
Russell Photography
(248) 408-7863
Amy Peterson Photography
www.throughamyslens.com
(248) 941-1836
Winship Studio
Winshipstudio.com
(248) 625-2825
Orser Studio
(248) 693-8770
Dianna Casetti
(248) 762-1008
Ilze Lucero Photo
Ilzelucerosphotography.com
(248) 962-3686
Photographers, please follow these guidelines. Any portrait submissions that fail to meet these requirements will be returned to the student and denied publication in the yearbook.
If you email portrait(s), please make sure you receive a confirming response from the yearbook staff within 24 hours. Also, include name of student in the email. Send attachments to the following address: chsyearbook@clarkston.k12.mi.us
If submitting a CD, please include the studio name, email address, the date submitted on the CD, also include student's names on a sheet of paper (or on CD if space allows). If mailing a flash drive, be sure to include ALL names of students.
Please send to:
Clarkston High School, attn: Allie Lanctot Yearbook Adviser
6093 Flemings Lake Road
Clarkston, MI 48346
Important: please email requests for confirmation of receipt of submissions.
The yearbook staff reserves the right to reject senior portraits for aesthetic and quality reasons.
Photos received after November 1, 2019 WILL NOT be included in the yearbook due to print deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to give the photographer sufficient time to deliver the senior portrait.
Questions may be directed to Allison Lanctot, yearbook advisor at chsyearbook@clarkston.k12.mi.us.
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook. To purchase your ad online, follow the instructions below. Jostens is managing your school's yearbook ad sales so please do not contact or send materials to the school. Please take into account our school's ad content guidelines on the bottom of this form during the creation of your ad online. All ad orders must be placed online by September 30, 2019
Create your ad online at www.jostensadservice.com
1. Choose your ad size and layout.
2. Enter your text and upload your photos.
How are the ad prices determined and what is the money used for?
Ad prices are determined by our school. The revenue from Recognition Ads helps support our yearbook and keep it
affordable for everyone.
How is the ad deadline determined?
The ad deadline is set by our school based on the production schedule for the yearbook.
Can I create my student’s ad on my mobile device?
Yes, you can design your recognition ad on a mobile device using the free ReplayIt app. Available for download from the
Google Play and Apple App store.
Can I send my materials to the school?
No, please do not send your materials to our school. Our school has selected Jostens to assist with our ad program. Please call the Josten's customer service number (800) 358-0800 if you have questions or need assistance in creating your ad. More questions? Call Jostens at (800) 358-0800.
If you are interested in information on the armed forces, military academies, or ROTC scholarships, contact the Counseling Office.
The Class of 2019 achieved success in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in the art studio, and on the stage; now they are pursuing lives of meaning and purpose in college and in life. It was an honor guiding our students through the process of finding, applying and selecting universities and colleges where they will not only thrive, but contribute to a new school community. Here's where the Class of 2019 is now.
Adrian College
Albion College
Alma College
Alpena Community College
American Musical & Dramatic Academy
Aquinas College
Arizona State University
Arkansas State University
Baker Auto Diesel Institute
Baker College
Benedict College
Brigham Young University
Butler Univeristy
Carthage College
Central Michigan University
Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland State University
College for Creative Studies
Colorado Mountain College
Columbia College Chicago
Columbus State Community College
Cornerstone University
Davenport University
Depaul University
Dorsey School of Business
Eastern Michigan University
Emerson College
Ferris State University
Grand Valley State University
The Central Enrollment Office will be closed the week of July 6 — July 10. During this time, enrollments may be submitted; however, they will not be processed by our Central Enrollment team until we return on Monday, July 13. We look forward to following up with you soon!
