Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony

May 20, 2020

Dear 12 th-grade students and families,

Last week, I shared that the District’s Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 9 starting at 11 a.m.

I’m writing today to share additional information about the ceremony and some exciting news around our overall plans to honor our graduating seniors. The virtual graduation will be streamed across numerous platforms to ensure that everyone who wants to join in the celebration to honor our graduating seniors is able to do so. Streaming platforms will include Comcast/Xfinity channel 52, Verizon Fios channel 20, the School District’s website at www.philasd.org/pstv/watch and our social media sites.

We also want every senior to be able to personally invite their family and friends to their graduation ceremony. Invitations that students can customize, download and share are now available at www.philasd.org/2020grad, our dedicated webpage where you can find all of the latest information about our Class of 2020 celebratory efforts as well as feature stories highlighting our amazing seniors. We will be adding new information and stories regularly so be sure to check back often.

Our entire Philadelphia community understands that these last few months have been very unexpected and disappointing ones for our seniors. More and more people and organizations across our city share that disappointment and are rallying to show just how much they care for, embrace and support our seniors during this challenging time. Some of the people who have signed up to participate in our Class of 2020 celebratory efforts include NFL pros Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins, Black Thought and Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Elton Brand. The Philadelphia Orchestra has graciously provided its latest performance of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No. 1 which will kick off the graduation ceremony. The Kimmel Cultural Campus is the official virtual host of the graduation after-party and is working with Philly’s own DJ Aktive, R&B group Good Girl and other artists on a multi-platform concert event planned for Tuesday, June 9th, from 7-8:30 pm. This virtual event will be streamed on multiple social media platforms, as well as the district’s television station PSTV. Other supporters include Comcast, The Free Library, Microsoft, iHeart Radio and DASH.

We are incredibly grateful for the many ways people are helping us to show our GRAD-itude for Philadelphia’s Class of 2020.

So mark your calendars. We’ll be unveiling more surprises in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe.

Sincerely, William R. Hite Jr., Ed.D.

Superintendent, The School District of Philadelphia