Coweta County In-Person Graduations planned for July 28, 29 and August 1

From Coweta County Schools Press Release

Coweta County high schools will honor their 2020 graduates July 28, July 29 and August 1, with in-person graduation events held at each high school.

The ceremonies will be split into two events at each high school according to graduates’ last names and attendance will be limited, to allow for social distancing in the school stadiums.  Students will need to register to participate and to receive guest tickets beginning July 9.

Go here for Coweta high schools guidelines for in-person graduation. The dates and times for ceremonies will be:

Northgate High School:

·        Tuesday, July 28 8 p.m. (Seldon Stadium) Graduates Last Name A-L

·        Wednesday, July 29 8 p.m. (Seldon Stadium) Graduates Last Name M-Z

East Coweta High School:

·        Saturday, August 1, 8 a.m. (Shoemake Stadium) Graduates Last Name A-L

·        Saturday, August 1, 11 a.m. (Shoemake Stadium) Graduates Last Name M-Z

Newnan High School:

·        Saturday, August 1, 8 a.m., (Drake Stadium) Graduates Last Name A-L

·        Saturday, August 1, 11 a.m. (Drake Stadium) Graduates Last Name M-Z

Newnan High School Principal Chase Puckett, Northgate Principal Ken Kesselring and East Coweta Principal Steve Allen worked together and with high school staff to develop plans for the in-person graduation ceremonies.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the daily lives of CCSS students and families,” said guidance released by the three principals this week.  “We know that our seniors missed events and activities tied to their last year of high school.”

“While our virtual graduation ceremonies in May gave everyone an opportunity to celebrate our seniors, the district is making plans to hold traditional, in-person ceremonies as long as current guidance and regulations allow.”

Graduating seniors will need to register with their school to attend the in-person graduation beginning July 9 (registration will be open for about one week).  Each registering graduate will receive four tickets for guests to watch the graduation in-person at the stadiums. Graduates will be able to register for graduation through their school’s website and will be able to pick up the tickets at their school after registering. High schools will contact graduates with more information before July 9 regarding registration and ticket pick-up.

No access to the stadiums will be granted to guests without guest tickets, and students who do not register will not receive the four graduation guest tickets or be included in the in-person graduation ceremony. Because social distancing will be maintained through the event, no more than four spectators will be able to sit together at the event. Spectators are encouraged to observe safety precautions throughout, including wearing face masks or coverings and maintaining distance.

Based on guidance, CCSS is taking a number of safety precautions to ensure the graduations are as safe as possible. Participants will be asked to observe the following:

· Families and graduates are discouraged from mingling with others before or after the ceremony. Once seated, families will be asked to remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. Families will not be allowed onto the field at any time. Family groups of no more than four will sit together, with distance between family groups, and spectators should maintain physical distance of six feet or more whenever possible.

· Health officials recommend that individuals wear face masks/coverings to prevent transmission of illness. Participants are strongly urged to follow this guidance.

· Graduates will not line up and file into the stadium. Instead, they will check in and be assigned a seat, filling the seating area from front to back, with seats placed six feet apart. Seat assignments will not be in alphabetical order. At the end of the ceremony, graduates will be dismissed back to front. Graduates will leave the stadium directly after the ceremony. Graduates and families are asked to avoid congregating in groups with others.

· Families and graduates will be directed to follow one-way signs when moving around the stadium to reduce face-to-face exposure.

· Families will be allowed to enter the stadium no more than one hour before the start of the ceremony to ensure recommended social distancing, families will be directed to please leave the stadium immediately after the ceremony and meet their graduate at home.

· Graduates will find information on parking, where to enter the campus, and other important details in the ticket packet they pick up at school. Students should arrive one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.

· Cap and gown are required. If students need to purchase cap and gown, they should refer to their high school’s website for more information.

· Students should arrive dressed in cap and gown. Customary decorum will be followed, and no decorations of cap and gowns will be permitted. Because of the ongoing epidemic, the ceremonies will not have some of the elements usually at graduations. Graduates’ seats will be separated by six feet, and there will not be a processional. There will be a formal recessional leading the graduates out of the stadium. Family members will not allowed on the field with graduates, and should plan to meet the graduate outside the stadium after the ceremony.

Because of current limitations, there will be no inclement weather makeup days for the scheduled ceremonies, and no separate graduation practice. In-person graduation ceremonies will take place only if current guidance and regulations will allow.

Also, due to the fluid nature of COVID-19, the school system reserves the right to cancel planned graduation ceremonies should guidance indicate that in-person events can no longer be held safely. Any change in plans will be communicated to families as soon as possible.