Dear Seniors and Families,
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you back to campus in a few days. Lakeville has not been the same without you!
We recognize that the coming weeks are not how you expected to start your final semester at Hotchkiss, and we want to assure you that we are committed to doing our best to make your Senior Spring as special as possible. We are focusing our attention on spring events and Graduation and want to provide you with a brief update of our planning thus far.
First and foremost, unless State Covid requirements preclude our doing so, we intend to offer seniors a memorable, in-person Graduation ceremony. Based on the experience of last year and current indications from the Department of Public Health, we will likely be limited in the size of the event we can offer, even in the best case. We have moved the official date of Graduation to Saturday, June 5. We also have made an initial decision that upper mids, lower mids, and preps will depart campus prior to June 5. This saddens us, as historically the younger students have played a special role in Commencement programming, but we believe we will have other opportunities during the spring to celebrate the seniors with the rest of the campus community. With regard to family and other outside guests at Graduation, it is too early to say whether we will be able to invite them to join the in-person celebration. We will continue to monitor Covid conditions and State requirements closely and aim to notify families by the end of April.
With that said, we want to invite input from senior families in the spring event and Graduation planning process. Having worked with many of you over the years, we know what creative thinkers you are, and we welcome your ideas. Please share them here in our virtual Senior Family Suggestion Box. In addition, we will invite you to participate in some upcoming brainstorming Zoom calls with Christy Cooper, senior class dean, that will take place in March. More information about these calls will be sent soon.
Overall, please know that we are committed to creating moments of connection and fun to celebrate your last few months at Hotchkiss. The Class of 2021 will stand out in Hotchkiss history as a class that valiantly led our community through unimaginable times. We have no doubt that you will continue to lead by example as you demonstrate the compassion, respect, and selflessness that you did this fall. You are an outstanding Hotchkiss class, and we will do our very best to create moments this spring to recognize and applaud you!
Safe travels back to campus!
All good wishes,
Craig W. Bradley
Head of School
Christina Cooper P'08,'11
Dean of the Class of 2021
