While Fairbanks students are planning for this weekend’s prom, district officials are planning graduation.
“We are excited to be able to host a traditional graduation ceremony again,” District Superintendent Adham Schirg said.
Schirg said the district will hold graduation at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 29 in the high school football stadium.
“Graduation at the stadium is a time-honored tradition at Fairbanks and we are excited to recognize the Class of 2021 for their achievements and see them toss their caps with their classmates,” Principal Tom Montgomery wrote in a letter to the seniors.
Schirg said the graduation is part of the district’s return to normalcy.
“There is excitement for our students, in particular, our seniors who will be able to experience many of the traditions and rites of passage that come with ending a high school career,” Schirg said. “We will be able to enjoy other events that accompany the end of the year like fifth- and eighth-grade celebrations, spring athletics and prom.”
He added that “each of these have considerations due to COVID-19, but we are in a much different place than we were even a few months ago” and noted, “COVID-19 has instilled a newfound appreciation for these traditions for everyone in Fairbanks Local Schools.”
Schirg said one of the considerations is that each graduate will receive six tickets for family members. He said that with 88 graduates, that would be more than 400 people in the stadium. Tickets will be issued with the graduate’s name and cannot be shared with other families.
Guests will be allowed into the stadium beginning at 9 a.m. Schirg said seating will be “on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Seating areas will be marked off for families to sit together. Tickets must be presented to enter the stadium. Schirg said tickets will be distributed to graduates at a mandatory graduation practice on May 21.
Guests must self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms prior to the ceremony. The guest will not be allowed in the stadium if they have any symptoms.
That policy will hold for graduates as well. Graduates are being asked to self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arrival.
“If symptoms are present, graduates will not be permitted to take part in the ceremony,” Montgomery wrote.
Guests and graduates will be required to wear masks during the ceremony. Guests will be required to wear their mask at all times. Graduates will be allowed to remove them when they move forward to get their diploma.
Schirg said a big change this year, is that staff members with children who are graduating will be able to give the diploma to their student. He said he believes that this year there are eight graduates with a parent on the district staff or faculty.
Officials said that in the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be rescheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, May 30.
The annual awards ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. May 21, following graduation practice in the gymnasium.
Schirg said the district learned some lessons from last year’s drive-through graduation ceremony. Last year, graduates were given a time to come to the football stadium. Graduates were able to get out of their vehicle, hear their name read, and receive their diploma. Family members were able to watch the student graduate from their vehicle. A professional photographer took a photograph at the end of the stage.
Accommodations for handicapped parking and seating are available. Golf carts will be available to assist guests getting to and from the field. Individuals wanting this service may drive to the bottom of the driveway that leads to the football field. Officials recommend that guests needing assistance arrive at the school by 9:30 a.m. to allow enough time for seating.
Those needing further accommodations are asked to contact Melanie Reed at (937) 349-3721 ext. 1300 by May 25.
“As I do every year, I would like to remind families that graduation is a time of honor and respect and the ceremony should be treated in this manner. The focus of the ceremony should be on the graduates and I ask that family and friends give each individual the respect they deserve as they are announced and take their honored walk across the stage. Activities and behaviors from students or family members that distract from the graduate are discouraged.”