(Atlantic) The Atlantic Community School District administration is moving forward with a live graduation ceremony.
Atlantic High School Principal Heather McKay said after consulting with and gaining approval from Cass County Public Health, the district is going ahead with the graduation ceremony postponed last April because of COVID-19.
McKay says the ceremony will be held on July 19, 2:00 p.m., at the Atlantic High School gymnasium. She says to ensure social distancing, and to meet CDC recommendations, several guidelines must be followed.
The Atlantic Community School District administration highly recommends the wearing of masks for all attending guests. Each graduating senior family will be allowed nine guests. There will be no transference of guest availability this year. If a graduating senior family has fewer than nine guests, those seats will remain unfilled. The main entrance on the north side of the building will open at 12:30 PM. The main entrance will be the only doors open for guests to enter.
Additionally, graduating seniors and their nine guests must enter the building together this year. If parties are missing guests, please plan to wait outside of the main entrance or in vehicles until all party members have arrived to enter the building. Once a graduating senior and his/her guests have entered, no additional guests will be allowed admittance. The main entrance will be closed at 1:50 PM. No guest will be allowed admittance after 1:50 PM. The seniors will be seated on the gym floor during the ceremony. Guests of graduates will be seated in the bleachers. The bleachers will be sectioned off and appropriately marked to allow for social distancing. Bleachers seating is first come, first serve, with the exception of handicapped which is designated in the front rows for easier access.
Guests of graduating seniors must enter and sit together in appropriately marked sections of the bleachers during the ceremony. Ushers will be present to assist in seating guests. Graduates and their guests are asked to exit the AHS building as quickly as possible after the graduation ceremony is complete. Graduates and their guests are welcome to utilize the AHS property for pictures afterwards.
Others will be able to view the Commencement ceremony via the livestream; link will be shared later.
Graduates Attire for Commencement–Formal with cap and gown–see McKay if you need assistance!
Graduates will receive an emailed form to their school account to complete to indicate if they are going to participate in this program. This will assist in additional planning. Commencement Rehearsal will be Friday, July 17 at 9 AM in the gymnasium. If you are unable to attend rehearsal, but still plan to attend the ceremony, please let Mrs. McKay know.
