Graduation is scheduled
Following the latest release of graduation ceremony guidelines from Texas Governor Abbott and the Texas Education Agency on May 5, Wimberley High School has announced its plan for a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 on Friday, June 5 at Texan Stadium. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 p.m. It’s important to note that the state has informed districts that the guidelines may be modified if the public health situation changes.
In order to provide an environment that is as safe as possible for both graduates and attendees, social distancing guidelines will be observed. The state guidelines require six or more feet between all graduation participants and attendees in the stadium. The state’s new graduation guidelines allow up to five members of the same household to sit next to each other in the bleachers. As such, WHS will distribute up to five tickets to each participating member of the Class of 2020. Within Texan Stadium, utilizing both the home and visitors’ bleachers, there is adequate space to seat family “clusters” (up to five individuals) while meeting social distancing requirements. In addition, distributing five tickets to each graduate allows WISD to limit the total overall attendance to less than 25% of Texan Stadium’s total capacity.
In compliance with the guidelines, participating students and attendees will be excluded if they are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms:
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea
• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
• Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19 if exposure to the active confirmed case occurred within the last 14 days
Hand sanitizer stations will be available at stadium entrances. Also, WISD requests that all participants (graduates and attendees) consider wearing cloth face coverings inside the stadium or if/when they come within six feet of another person at the event.
Entry and exit plans are being developed that meet social distancing recommendations. That information will be shared in the coming weeks.
The graduation ceremony will also be live streamed through the district’s You-Tube channel. The live stream will be available for free to anyone.
There is no backup plan for this event. If weather causes a cancellation (lightning, heavy rain, etc.) it will not be rescheduled.
“We know this event is going to be quite different than what we all planned for at the start of the school year,” says Wimberley High School Principal Jason Valentine. “However, we’re excited that we have been able to progress to the point of getting the students together one last time to celebrate and honor a wonderful group of hard working students whose legacy will not be forgotten.”