But, there will be no rain date . . .
By John Tredrea
Graduation will be held at Hopewell Valley Central High School again in June 2007.
Ceremonies will be held on the field hockey field weather permitting as in past years, it was decided at Monday night’s school board agenda meeting.
But, unlike past years, there will be no rain date. In the event of inclement weather, the commencement exercises will be moved indoors, to the gymnasium. Not everyone wanting to attend the commencement will be able to fit inside the gym, however.
Those not in the gym will watch the commencement on closed circuit television, inside the school auditorium. Not having a rain date will make it easier for families to plan having visitors, from out of state, who want to attend the graduation, school officials said.
The decision to hold the graduation at the high school came at the recommendation of CHS Principal Michael Daher, new to the school this year.
Last year, school officials investigated moving the graduation off-campus, to The College of New Jersey, Sovereign Bank Arena or Rider University. They learned that, contrary to what they expected going into the investigation, they would not save any money by moving graduation. It would cost about the same $21,000 as it does to hold it on campus. They also learned that only the Sovereign Bank Arena, which is in downtown Trenton, could offer unlimited seating. "We have not explored other options this year," Mr. Daher said Monday night.
Mr. Daher favors holding the graduation on campus because of "tradition. Students want to be able to graduate at their high school. Probably 95 percent of our students have spent their whole four years of high school at Central High."
The principal added that, when June weather is at its best, "an outside ceremony is a very good experience for students and their families. And having it at the school makes it a community event. The downside of this plan is that, if it rains, we have to have it in the gym."
"I like the idea of a single date," said school board President Kim Newport. "It makes it easier for families to make arrangements for visiting relatives."