May 15, 2020
Dear Newton Seniors and Families,
We know how challenging this time has been for all Newton students since our schools closed abruptly on March 12. This closure has been especially difficult for you, our Newton high school seniors, and families. Instead of saying good-bye with the normal traditions, ceremonies, and celebrations, you left school not knowing how the final year of your time in the Newton Public Schools would play out.
We need to find creative and fun ways to celebrate you this year when a lot of usual traditions and ceremonies are not currently available to us. We are grateful to all who have quickly pivoted to plan creative and celebratory ways to honor our graduates and today we are excited to jointly invite you to one of two additional special community celebrations to honor the Class of 2020.
We will host two separate “Celebration Lanes” at Newton North and Newton South on the afternoon of Sunday, June 7 (exact times TBD and rain date Sunday, June 14). At Celebration Lane, Newton Public Schools administrators, principals, faculty, and staff, as well as our City leaders, will be welcomed to line the designated street by your school to celebrate you (in an appropriately physically distanced manner!).
We invite you and your family to drive (or bike or walk) through the “Celebration Lanes” to say “see you again soon” and to give us the chance to say “thank you and best wishes!” Show your school spirit – decorate yourself and your mode of transportation, make joyful noise and be acknowledged for all you have accomplished during your high school years. It may not be a “normal” tradition but let’s make it one we will long remember for its show of resiliency in the face of challenge and hope and positivity in the face of hardships.
We hope this special celebration will be a positive moment you can add to your memories of this truly unprecedented time. See you at “Celebration Lane” and congratulations on all of your accomplishments!
Sincerely,
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller & Superintendent David Fleishman City of Newton
P.S. More details on the “Celebration Lanes” are forthcoming through your school PTSO and administration. Stay tuned!
P.P.S. Please note that the “Celebration Lane” is in addition to the two-pronged graduation celebrations being planned by the high schools. We look forward to the Virtual Celebrations on June 10 and June 11 and to any in-person diploma ceremony that we may be able to hold later in the summer.
Translated versions are provided through Google Translate and may contain awkward phrasing and structure.
Graduation Celebration Event – Chinese Translation
Graduation Celebration Event – Hebrew Translation
Graduation Celebration Event – Japanese Translation
Graduation Celebration Event – Korean Translation
Graduation Celebration Event – Portuguese Translation
