Blair cap and gown distribution held from May 26 to May 29

Blair administration will be distributing caps and gowns to graduating seniors from May 26 to May 29. The senior class committee released a document in English and Spanish explaining how students should pick up their caps and gowns in detail.

cap and gown distribution

Photo: Blair administration is distributed caps and gowns on different days depending on seniors' last names (courtesy of Senior Class Staff Committee)

Blair administration is distributed caps and gowns on different days depending on seniors' last names (courtesy of Senior Class Staff Committee)

Seniors will come to the school based on the first letter of their last name. Students with letters A-D will come on Monday, May 26; those with E-K will come on Tuesday, May 27; L-Q on Wednesday, May 28 and R-Z and make ups will come on Thursday, May 29. Caps and gowns will be distributed from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. all four days. 

Students are also encouraged to bring any materials belonging to Blair, such as English books, textbooks and anything else that is the school's property. These items should be placed in a tightly secured bag with the student's ID, first name and last name written on it or attached with a piece of paper. The bag will be taken while students are getting their caps and gowns. Athletic equipment and musical instruments will be collected on Tuesday, May 26 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the side of the building facing Colesville Road. Seniors do not have to give Chromebooks back until after the MCPS virtual graduation, on June 7, and there will be another plan to collect the computers.  

Seniors in vehicles should enter through either of the University Boulevard entrances and bring a piece of paper with their student ID, first name and last name to show the volunteers distributing caps and gowns. As students approach the bus lane, security will divide the cars into three separate lanes. Parent and teacher volunteers will set up tables along these three lanes to collect anything students drop off and hand out caps, gowns, tassels and anything else seniors would have gotten for graduation in a closed bag. Diplomas will not be handed out during this exchange and instead will be mailed to seniors after the virtual graduation ceremony.



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Photo: A diagram mapping out the traffic flow for picking up senior caps and gowns (courtesy of Senior Class Staff Committee)

A diagram mapping out the traffic flow for picking up senior caps and gowns (courtesy of Senior Class Staff Committee)

Students who use other modes of transportation should go to the Student Activity Center (SAC) entrance, following proper social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask or some sort of fabric to cover up noses and mouths. Seniors should still put any items belonging to the school inside a bag labeled with student IDs and first and last names. There will be tape on the ground showing students where to stand so that proper social distancing can be maintained. Teacher and parent volunteers will direct students on how to drop off school materials and get the bag with the cap and gown.

Staff are trying to make this process as speedy and as safe as possible. "Through the different windows of time with the different groups, making sure that we have separate lanes, making sure that we have individuals directing traffic, moving students through grabbing bags, pulling bags out quickly. I think those are all the best ways that we're trying to make sure that it's as efficient as possible," resource counselor Makeyda Soriano says. 

Blair staff wish for seniors to get their caps and gowns and enjoy their graduation as best as possible during this time. "I just hope that all the seniors take lots of pictures once they get their caps and gowns and share them out because we still want to celebrate with all the seniors," Soriano said.