NFA to hold graduation at Dodd Stadium June 9
Apr. 15—NORWICH — Norwich Free Academy will hold its graduation ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, at the Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium for the second straight year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But this time, graduates will be on the playing field and family members cheering on in the stands.
NFA Head of School Brian Kelly announced Thursday that pandemic conditions have not eased enough to allow for the traditional on-campus ceremony on the athletic field, with thousands of family and friends crowded in the stands and surrounding the field.
"Therefore, our number one priority has been ensuring we can provide the Class of 2021 with a fitting send off," Kelly wrote in a letter to staff and parents, "and I am pleased to announce that graduation will take place outside and in-person at Dodd Stadium, a location which allows us to maintain all current safety protocols and provide the same number of attendees as an on-campus graduation."
Each student will receive four admission tickets to the stadium, but with no provision for an overflow crowd. If it rains, the ceremony will revert to the parking lot, "with additional adjustments," Kelly wrote. More details about either scenario will be released as the date nears. In either scenario, the event will be livestreamed for viewing off site.
Last year, graduates and their families remained in or at their vehicles as the graduation ceremony, including welcoming addresses by NFA officials, student speeches and scrolling photos of graduates as their names were announced, was broadcast on giant video screens at the front of the stadium. Audio was broadcast on a low-power FM radio station.
Missing from last year's ceremony was the participation by members of the graduation class of 50 years earlier.
This year, Kelly said that tradition will be restored, with members of the Class of 1971 invited to participate in the on-field ceremony. The NFA Foundation will contact Class of 1971 members with details. The NFA campus traditionally hosts 50th reunion activities on graduation day.
In addition to the graduation plan, Kelly announced that the current COVID-19 guidelines will not allow for large indoor gatherings for the traditional Class Night and awards nights for academic, athletic and arts award presentations, which will be virtual this year.
The Visual and Performing Arts Awards Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 3; Champions Night for athletic awards at 6 p.m. Monday, June 7, and Class Night and Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 8. All events will be broadcast on NFA's YouTube Channel.
NFA also has a team planning several other traditional senior events, including prom, senior day and senior breakfast, Kelly said. If COVID-19 guidelines change, event plans could be adjusted, he wrote.
NFA has been holding classes in a two-day in-person hybrid learning model for much of the school year. Starting Monday, NFA will phase in four-day in-person learning. Wednesdays will remain a virtual learning day.
Beginning April 19, seniors will return to four-day in-person learning. The following week, beginning April 26, freshmen will start four-day in-person learning, with 10th and 11th graders joining them starting May 3.
"With students returning to campus more frequently beginning April 19, and a thoughtful and safe approach to our end-of-the-year events, I am optimistic about providing our students — and especially our seniors — with an opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated," Kelly wrote.
