May 6, 2020

Dear Parents of the Senior Class,

I write this letter to update you with plans to honor the Class of 2020. As I mentioned in last week's Pride Perspectives Q&A webinar, I have been meeting with a special committee of administrative leaders and members of the senior class in an effort to plan a virtual celebration of the Class of 2020 and the end of this school year, which will both honor and provide closure for Trinity-Pawling's seniors.

On behalf of the faculty and staff, please know that we share your disappointment over the impact that COVID-19 has had on the Class of 2020, particularly as it relates to their Commencement. In life, it is important to mark the end of a journey before beginning the next. Your sons' high school journey is coming to an end and it is important to celebrate and honor this ending. It is also the beginning of a new journey. This is why we use the term Commencement, or the beginning. As we cannot gather in person to honor this ending and beginning, we must not forego ways to celebrate and honor this class at the end of this school year.

Although this important milestone for the seniors and the celebrations associated with it will be acknowledged differently this year, please know that we remain committed to honoring the outstanding Class of 2020 and their achievements. Please be assured that we will find a way to supplement this month's remote Class of 2020 celebration with an event on campus at some point in the future, but we can not speculate when that will be possible at this point in time. Student safety, as well as maintaining the health and safety of the entire community, continues to be our top priority.

Our honored traditions of Stepping Up, Baccalaureate Service, and Commencement Exercises mean a great deal to the entire Trinity-Pawling community. Therefore, thoughtful planning and steps are being taken to ensure that we create a meaningful experience that pays tribute to this remarkable group of young men and acknowledges the importance of this turning point.

During the entire month of May, the School will be celebrating the seniors in many ways, such as Senior Week including Life Skill Classes; a Digital Bulletin Board for Senior Shout-outs;

Senior Spotlights on Trinity-Pawling platforms and publications; and more.

The Trinity-Pawling Graduation planning committee is currently finalizing plans for the

virtual Class of 2020 Celebration, which will be presented on May 22 and 23, 2020. More information will be forthcoming and posted on the website. A tentative schedule has been outlined as follows:

May 22, 2020:

10:00 AM - Underclassmen Award Presentations and Announcement of 2020-2021 Prefects (Zoom)

11:00 AM - Induction into the Trinity-Pawling Alumni Association for Seniors and Parents - Senior Memories Slideshow, Faculty Speaker, and Alumni Speaker (Zoom)

May 23, 2020:

10:00AM - Celebration of the Class of 2020 and Commencement Recognition (Livestream)

12:00 PM - Reception with Seniors and Faculty (Zoom)

Please know that we understand and empathize with the loss you and your sons are experiencing. We will do our very best to make these virtual events memorable and worthy of this important transition in the lives of your sons, so that they may continue on their journey with the knowledge that they have left an indelible mark on the Trinity-Pawling community.

In community,