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From Leander ISD on June 19:
Our 2020 graduation ceremony plans are all set! We will be hosting graduation at Gupton Stadium on July 9, 10, and 11. Social distancing guidelines will be in place to ensure the safety of our students and spectators during this joyous time. With this change to the outdoor venue, we will be adjusting graduation ceremony times to the morning and evening to avoid the heat of the day. We look forward to celebrating our senior’s accomplishments with you!
Graduation Live Stream
Each graduation ceremony will be live-streamed for individuals who are unable or choose not to attend the live event. The live stream information will be posted to www.leanderisd.org/graduation prior to July 9.
THURSDAY, JULY 9
- Cedar Park High School: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Vandegrift High School: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
- Leander High School: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Rouse High School: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 11
- Vista Ridge High School: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Glenn High School: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Ticket Entry Only
To ensure proper social distancing, the district will be required to limit the number of guests per graduate. Each graduate will receive four (4) guest tickets. Children of any age count as a ticket holder. To request accommodations for groups larger than four guests, please fill out this form. Each circumstance will be considered; however, due to social distancing requirements, we cannot guarantee accommodations for groups larger than four at this time. Each campus will be communicating independently the date and time graduates can pick up their tickets. We strongly encourage guest tickets to be used for immediate family members living in the same household and/or divorced or separated families. Each ticket will include acknowledgment of our health pre-screen that each graduate and guest must complete prior to attending the ceremony (details listed below).
All guests must have a ticket to enter the stadium. Lost tickets will not be replaced. There will be no will call or ticket distribution at the stadium prior to the ceremony. Once graduates and guests enter the stadium, there will be no re-entry.
Health Pre-Screening
All participating graduates and attending family members are required to self-screen for any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19. This must be done prior to attending a Leander ISD graduation ceremony,
Please answer ALL below questions, ALL answers must be “NO” to attend:
1. Have you have recently had any contact with anyone that is/has tested positive for COVID-19?
2. Do you have a new or worsening cough or shortening of breath/difficulty breathing?
3. Do you currently have a fever or have had one in the past 72 hours? (greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
4. Do you have 2 or more of the following:
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills or repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- 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
Those who answer “YES” to any of these signs or symptoms must exclude themselves from the ceremony. By attending this ceremony, you are attesting that you confidently answered “NO” to ALL of the above questions and have a very low risk of carrying or spreading COVID-19.
Parking on Designated Side
Graduates and their guests are encouraged to ride together in one (1) vehicle to help assist with traffic flow and parking lot space at Gupton Stadium. Vehicles will have designated parking entrances based on the alpha of the graduate’s last name.
- Graduates with the last name alpha A-M & their guests will enter Gupton Stadium off E. Park St.
- Graduates with the last name alpha N-Z & their guests will enter Gupton Stadium off S. Vista Ridge Blvd.
- District and campus support staff will enter Gupton Stadium off Gupton Way Dr.
- Handicap parking is available on both the home and visitor sides
Stadium Entry on Designated Side
Guests will enter the stadium using the nearest entrance to their parked vehicle. Four entrances to the stadium will be available. Guests of graduates with the last name alpha A-M will sit on the Home side of the stadium. Guests of graduates with the last name alpha N-Z will sit on the Visitor side of the stadium. All graduates will proceed to the south end zone for processional staging.
Arrival
Gupton Stadium will open two (2) hours prior to the ceremony start time. Graduates must report to the processional staging area (see Graduation Parking Map) 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to their ceremony start time. Should graduates arrive at Gupton Stadium earlier than the graduate report time, they may sit with their guests in the stadium, or wait in their vehicle.
Guests will be given a commencement program and a bottle of water upon entry, if desired. Graduates will be provided a water bottle under their chair for the ceremony. Absolutely NO outside food or drinks will be allowed into the stadium.
Seating
Seats in the stadium will be marked to allow for proper social distancing. We ask that all guests sit only in the marked areas. Guests are welcome to bring stadium seats or chair backs provided the seat does not have any pockets or zippers. Handicap seating is available on both the home and visitor sides.
Graduates will be seated on the field for the ceremony. Each seat will be spaced six (6) feet apart to allow for proper social distancing.
Bags
To comply with Leander ISD stadium rules and regulations, the clear bag policy will be in effect for all graduation ceremonies. Small clutch purses, with or without a handle or strap, no larger than a hand are permitted. Any non-clear or larger bags will not be permitted. Cameras or binoculars are welcome, but cases for these items are not permitted. All bags will be inspected upon entry. All students will be expected to comply with the same standards, and will be checked to ensure no prohibited items are brought into the stadium.
Prohibited Items:
- Weapons (concealed and open carry prohibited)
- Alcohol or tobacco
- Airborne material or devices (ex. drones)
- Outside food or drinks
- Strollers
- Balloons
- Tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks
- Umbrellas larger than 12” in length
- Flowers
- Gifts
- Confetti
- Banners and/or flags
- Signs are limited to a poster board size, 22”x28” – the sign must not obstruct the view of the stage for other guests
- Laser Pointers
- Noisemakers (air horns, whistles, rattlers, cowbells, thunder sticks, etc.)
Face Coverings
Graduates will be provided commemorative masks prior to their ceremony and will be required to bring them with them and wear them for the ceremony. While seated on the field, graduates will be allowed to remove their mask. Guests will be required to wear a mask as they enter the stadium and must keep the mask on any time they are not in their seat. While guests are seated, they may remove their mask.
Hand Sanitizer & Gloves
Leander ISD will provide hand sanitizer at each entrance and in key areas throughout the stadium. District and campus support staff will wear gloves when the duties involve touching or handling anything to graduates and guests. The stadium will be disinfected between ceremonies.
First Aid
A first aid tent will be onsite for any graduate or guest that needs medical assistance. The tent will be located in the south end zone between the home and visitor field houses.
Guests will be given a bottle of water upon entry, if desired. Should a guest need additional water, please visit the nearest entrance and request more from the stadium staff. Concession stands will not be open.
Guest Recommended Attire
Dress comfortably and appropriately for the temperature and humidity.
Graduate Recommended Attire
Graduates are required to bring their cap, gown, and mask with them to the ceremony. Heels and wedge shoes are not allowed on the turf field. Graduates are encouraged to not bring any belongings with them other than their cap, gown, and mask. Caps may be decorated on top only. Any images or messages should be appropriate and fall within the Leander ISD Student Code of Conduct. All graduates will be checked to ensure compliance to the graduation attire requirements.
Diploma Distribution
Principals will not be handing out diploma covers to graduates or shaking the graduate’s hand. Diploma covers will be placed on a table on the stage. When the graduate’s name is called, each graduate will walk across the stage, pick up his or her diploma cover from the table, and take a socially distant photo with their Principal.
Ceremony Photos
Photo Texas Photography will be on-site for all graduation ceremonies. Photos that will be taken: one (1) socially distant photo of the graduate and the principal on stage, one (1) photo of the graduate with their diploma cover once they exit the stage. All photos will be available for purchase through Photo Texas Photography.
After the Ceremony
Graduates will be asked to exit the stadium during the recessional. Guests will remain in the stands until the graduates have exited the stadium and will not be allowed on the field after the ceremony. Guests will exit the side they entered and should proceed directly to their vehicles. We ask that guests and graduates refrain from congregating in the parking lot.