TEXAS, USA —
Midway ISD
A letter from Midway High School Principal Alison Smith was sent to seniors, parents and staff Thursday to announce that in-person graduation will be held on Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m.
Midway is going to host a senior walk at Midway High School on Friday, May 22 at 6 p.m. to honor the original graduation date weekend.
Both events will require safety plans based on COVID-19 restrictions. Smith said social distancing is a major factor that will require limits to the number of guests possible at graduation
Smith highly recommended that plans are made for only immediate family to attend the ceremony and plan for extended family to watch a live stream from home. Details on the senior walk and graduation ceremony are coming soon.
"Thank you all for your support of our senior class and Midway staff in these difficult times," Smith said.
Waco ISD
Waco ISD plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at Waco ISD Stadium on May 29 and May 30, according to a letter from Superintendent Susan Kincannon.
However, the ceremonies will be adjusted to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Kincannon said the ceremonies will be just for seniors. Families will not be able to attend. They will be broadcast live so families can watch on WISD-TV or online through the school's website.
Graduates will be required to wear face masks and keep at least six feet away from one another. Staff will also screen participants at the ceremonies for COVID-19 symptoms.
Seniors will also not receive diplomas at the ceremonies. Graduates and their families will get a scheduled time to pick up their diploma from their high school campus between June 15 and June 26. After receiving their diplomas, there will be an opportunity for graduates and their families to have photos taken by a professional photographer.
The ceremony for University High School seniors will be at 10 a.m. May 29 while the ceremony for Waco High School seniors will be at 10 a.m. on May 30.
"This year’s graduation will be different from any other," Kincannon said a letter to parents. "It’s not anyone’s first choice, but I believe that it allows us to accomplish both goals in a manner that also protects the health of our graduates and their friends and families."
More details on the ceremonies and diploma pickup will be made available later, Kincannon said.
Belton ISD
The district said Belton High School and Belton New Tech @ Waskow seniors will have a personalized outdoor ceremony on June 18 at Tiger Field.
“We jointly surveyed our 800+ seniors several weeks ago and heard loud and clear that they wanted to be able to physically walk across a stage for graduation,” said Ben Smith, principal at Belton High School. “Our plan for June 18 will allow them to do that and more.”
Under the plan, students will arrive at scheduled times on June 18 with New Tech students in the morning and Belton High students in the afternoon and evening.
“The celebration will kick off with a car parade as students arrive at the parking lot of Tiger Field,” he said. “We want them to decorate their vehicle, honk, wave and get excited as we celebrate their 13 years of hard work.”
Students will enter the stadium with up to five family members to take part in a personal graduation ceremony that includes walking across a stage and posing for photographs.
As they exit the concourse, students will pick up their official diploma and pose for additional photos. Graduation portraits and a video compilation will be shared with graduates later in the summer.
The principals estimate the entire process - from the student’s arrival in the parking lot until they leave - will take about 15-20 minutes per family.
“Later that evening, after the entire class of 2020 has graduated, they are all invited back to Tiger Field for a fireworks show,” New Tech High School Principal Jennisty Thomason said. “It’ll include a broadcast of special messages to the graduates.”
Seniors will receive emails in the coming weeks with additional details about safety protocols, scheduling and parking. The information will also be posted on www.bisd.net/extendedlearning
Temple ISD
Temple Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Bobby Ott announced Monday the district would hold an in-person graduation ceremony on June 12.
The ceremony will be at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor's football field, Crusader Stadium.
"Due to stadium capacity and maintaining a six-foot distance per household, TISD will utilize a ticket system in which each graduating senior will receive two tickets, in addition to their own, to distribute as they wish," Ott said.
Ott said for family or friends who cannot attend, the district will release a virtual graduation ceremony video on June 12.
In addition, Ott said the district contracted a video production team that will film the in-person graduation.
"We will then release that video to families a few days after the ceremony to allow those unable to attend to see their graduate actually walk across the stage," Ott said.
Killeen ISD
Killeen Independent School District seniors may get the chance to attend an in-person graduation ceremony, the district said in a press release Monday.
The district said, "If the opportunity allows, the district has reserved July 20 and 21 at the Bell County Expo Center."
KISD Superintendent Dr. John Craft scheduled a press conference for Tuesday at 10 a.m. to provide more details on the graduation, along with a return to work play for employees and the overall COVID-19 response.
The district currently has plans for a virtual graduation at the end of May.
Each student will submit a photo of themselves in their cap and gown. It will be placed on a slide along with a message and it will pop up when their name is called during the ceremony.
Copperas Cove ISD
Live graduation ceremonies will be held at Lea Ledger Auditorium on May 22 at 6 p.m. for Crossroads High School graduates and May 26-28 for Copperas Cove High School graduates.
Graduation times will range from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Both schools will schedule graduates a specific time and date to walk the stage and graduate in front of up to six family members.
CCISD will live stream the event and record it for future viewing.
The ceremony will be highly structured because of the COVID-19 Pandemic and will honor graduates while honoring social distancing guidelines.
Clifton ISD
Clifton ISD planned outdoor, in-person graduation for June 4 at 8:00 p.m. at Cub Stadium.
Each #TeamCHS senior will be issued five tickets and will have assigned seats. Families will sit on the home side and #TeamCHS seniors will sit six feet apart on the field, facing the home stands.
All other relevant details, such as parking, required screening and entry and exit plans, will be announced soon.
Alternate dates and times in case of bad weather are Friday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m.
A video of each #TeamCHS senior will be created of them walking into the Clifton ISD Performing Arts Center (PAC) to Pomp and Circumstance, as well as walking across the stage, receiving a diploma from their family members, having their picture taken on stage in their caps and gowns and ringing the bell at Cub Stadium.
All other details can be found on the Clifton ISD website.
Mexia ISD
Mexia Independent School District announced on Facebook that Mexia High School will be able to have their graduation on May 22 at Black Cat Field.
With the state's requirements, the Class of 2020 High School Graduation will look very different than in previous years. More details will be coming soon from the High School as the Governor's requirements for social distancing are applied to our event.
Teague ISD
Teague Independent School District will be allowed to have an in-person graduation ceremony for the 2020 graduating class.
Teague Lion Academy Graduation will take place on May 28 at 8:00 p.m. at Lion Stadium.
Teague High School Graduation will take place on May 29 at 8:00 p.m. at Lion Stadium.
Additional details can be found on the Teague ISD website.
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