Commencement

Commencement
Friday, June 4, 2021

• 7:15 AM: Seniors Meet in Front of Senior House for Individual Portraits and Class Photo (see note below on details)
• 9:00 AM: Ceremony at Centennial Courtyard

Commencement is, of course, the highlight of the end of our year and the end of the Senior Class experience. This ceremony, like the others at the end of the Senior year, has been shaped to reflect both the traditions and the innovations in Garrison Forest School’s history. The structure of the ceremony also reflects the importance of the relationship between the teachers and students, a hallmark of the Garrison Forest education. Members of the faculty join the Senior Class for this celebration, and we pause in the ceremony to honor a distinguished teacher and to acknowledge 20-year milestones in the tenure of faculty and staff members. Similarly, we honor student recipients of the Faculty, Alumnae, Jenkins and Shriver Awards, who are chosen by the faculty, and we recognize the Cum Laude Society inductees. To confirm the importance of community in our shared educational endeavor, our School’s stewards and the President of the School give remarks, and Senior Class families and friends join the celebration. The ceremony is approximately 90 minutes.

Commencement Seating Details:

There will be a Senior Family Section for Commencement seating, with each Senior Family receiving six (6) reserved seats for the Senior Family Section via a lottery. 

Due to social distancing requirements, additional seating will not be available; however, the ceremony will be livestreamed, with the link provided to families for sharing prior to the event. We invite your friends and family to join us virtually for this celebration. 

Centennial Courtyard is wheelchair accessible, and Garland Theater Lobby will serve as a cooling station with water for all guests. During the ceremony, please refrain from wearing or using items that obstruct others’ view of the ceremony (for example, umbrellas, iPads, posters and celebratory balloons). Important photography information may be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

In order to ensure that families of Seniors have the best seating possible, there will be a designated Senior Family Section.

Please read the procedures carefully for Commencement seating:

• Seating is selected in a random drawing by the Senior Class leaders.
• Each Senior has been randomly assigned six (6) reserved seats on the diagram for the Centennial Courtyard.
• Each Senior family will receive a printed copy of the diagram by mail indicating their assigned seats.
• The Courtyard diagram  will be posted for your review.
• The morning of Commencement, your last name will be clearly indicated on each of your reserved seats.
• You may not trade your assigned seats with another Senior family.

Seating Diagrams

• Courtyard (check back soon for diagram)

QUESTIONS? Please contact Reema Khanchandani, Head of Upper School.

Please check back soon for a more detailed calendar with times:

Tuesday, June 1
Senior ISP Meetings w/Mentors

Wednesday, June 2
Senior ISP Presentations
Advisory (All)

Thursday, June 3
Awards Assembly (All)
Senior Story
Final Advisory (All)
Senior ISP Feedback
Commencement Practice

Friday, June 4
Commencement

Galeone Photography takes an individual portrait of each girl prior to the Ceremony. Each girl must sit for an individual portrait (taken the morning of Commencement).

Following Commencement, all Senior families will receive an email from Galeone Photography with the password-protected GFS Commencement website to purchase any photographs.

Download the Galeone Photography Order Form.

In addition, GFS will arrange to have a composite group photo taken to adhere to all social distancing and safety guidelines; after getting their individual portraits taken, each girl will pose for a group shot and those photos will be digitally combined to produce a keepsake group photo. This photo will be provided for download free of charge to all Senior families. 

When do Seniors need to arrive for Commencement?

Each Senior must report promptly to Senior House no later than 7:15 AM for individual portraits by Commencement photographer, Galeone Photography. Photographers begin taking individual portraits at 7:30 AM. Every Senior must sit for a portrait (at no cost). Prints are made available at cost following Commencement through Galeone Photography and a link to the photo gallery will be sent to Senior parents in the days following the ceremony. Students not in front of Senior House at that time will not be included in the class photo. Ragged Robin bouquets will be given to each girl prior to the photos by class advisors. 

What about seating for Commencement?

In order to ensure that families of Seniors have the best seating possible, there will be a designated Senior Family Section. The seating in this section will be determined using a lottery system. Please refer to the seating procedures for details.

What about Commencement invitations and announcements?

These are distributed to Seniors after Spring Break. The School provides each Senior with six (6) invitations, 15 announcements and 21 "calling cards." If you would like additional invitations, announcements or calling cards, you may order these from Judy Sherman at Papers Plus (410-484-7488).

What are the dress requirements for Commencement?

Commencement attire should be formal. Students may elect to wear dresses or pants, but attire should be formal, white, long (ankle-length) and not strapless. Necklines, dress slits and cutouts should be modest and appropriate for the event. Shoes must be suitable for a formal occasion (flip flops are not acceptable). Students will also carry bouquets of Ragged Robins, which will be provided to each student by GFS when they arrive on the day of Commencement.

What are the deadlines and details for the Independent Senior Project (ISP)?

Visit the ISP webpage for all the dates and details your daughter needs to make her ISP meaningful and successful. If you have specific questions about ISP, please contact College Counseling at (410) 559-3129.

We are/our family is coming from our of town. Can you recommend nearby hotel accommodations?

The closest hotels to Garrison Forest are The Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn. Both are located in Owings Mills.

Hampton Inn: 410-654-2780

Hilton Garden Inn: 410-654-0030

If you prefer to stay in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and other attractions, we recommend the following hotels:

Baltimore Marriott Waterfront: 410-385-3000

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore: 410-576-5800

Please note that you will need to make your own travel accommodations to and from the hotel to Garrison Forest.