PITTSBURGH -- An in-person, socially distant commencement will be held for the North Hills High School Class of 2020 at Martorelli Stadium on Saturday, May 30 with a rain date of Sunday, May 31. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a planned conclusion of approximately 3 p.m. An RSVP is required for all students as detailed below.
To abide by social distancing guidelines and to ensure the health and safety of everyone who attends, each graduate will be given a scheduled time at which they should report to the stadium. No one should arrive more than 20 minutes before their scheduled time.
Attendees are limited to the graduate and no more than four (4) family members not to exceed five (5) total people. The graduate and family should arrive at the stadium in the same vehicle, if possible, and everyone must be wearing a mask at all times. No one will be allowed to enter Martorelli Stadium without a mask. No exceptions. Red NH masks will be given to all seniors.
Families should park in the upper parking lot off Perry Highway and make their way to the check-in station at the North Hills arch which will be located on the visitors side along the end zone opposite the field house. A map will be provided to families.
After checking in, the graduate and family members will make their way across Martorelli field following the queue marked by arrows and stopping at various checkpoints along the way to be sure a safe distance is maintained between the family in front of them. Families should expect this process to take about 20 minutes.
Once at the stage area, the student will have their name, accomplishments and post-graduation plans read as they walk across the stage and receive their diploma.
Each mini ceremony will be scheduled approximately one-minute apart to give each graduate and their family members time to take pictures and exit the stage area before the next graduate and family enters.
Photographer Jim Scott of Scott Studio will be located to the right of the stage as families exit the field to take the graduate’s picture and a family picture, if desired
From here, the graduate and family will be directed back to the parking lot. In order to maintain safe distances between all families for the health and safety of all involved, and to ensure we remain on schedule, graduates and their families must leave immediately after exiting the professional picture area.
All graduates who wish to attend commencement must RSVP by filling out this form. If you do not RSVP, you will not be given a time slot and thus will not be able to attend. All RSVPs must be received by the end of the day on Wednesday, May 13. No exceptions.
Your student’s graduation time will be sent to the email address provided during the week of May 18. As a reminder, do not arrive more than 20 minutes before your scheduled graduation time.
The ceremony will be live-streamed on the North Hills School District's YouTube channel, and pictures and videos will be shared throughout the day on social media.
The entire commencement will also be recorded and an edited video will be sent to families in June. This video will include speeches from Principal Kevin McKiernan, Board of Education President Allison Mathis and Class of 2020 President Averie Peet.
Caps and gowns will be distributed during the week of May 18. Look for additional communication with complete details next week.
Yearbooks will be distributed the first week in June during locker cleanout and book and iPad return. The complete plan for this week for all students is forthcoming.
If you have questions or need special assistance or accommodations, please contact your student’s assistant principal:
We know this isn’t our typical commencement and it’s not ideal. But we are certain this is the best we can do given the current circumstances.
As always, we thank you for ongoing understanding and support.
We are unbelievably proud of our Class of 2020 and all of their accomplishments, and look forward to celebrating them with you on May 30!