To: Graduating Class of 2020

RE: New graduation procedures

I am very excited to announce that graduation ceremonies will be allowed under certain guidelines. An
update from Dr. Mackey (State Superintendent of Education) and the Alabama Department of Public
Health was released yesterday which stated:

“graduation ceremonies are allowed beginning Monday, May 11, 2020 with unlimited attendees so
long as the ceremonies are held in compliance with the order. At a minimum, gatherings must be held
in a facility that would allow a distance of six feet between families. Family members of the same
household may sit together without regard to the social distance rule.”

Also, the following information must be read, and followed, for anyone attending or participating in
either of the graduation ceremonies. These rules are from the Alabama Department of Public Health:

“All individuals—and especially vulnerable persons—are encouraged to exercise personal

responsibility in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by:
a. Minimizing travel outside the home, especially if sick;
b. Wearing face coverings around people from other households when it is necessary to
leave the home;
c. Washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, especially after
touching frequently used items or surfaces;
d. Refraining from touching one’s face;
e. Sneezing or coughing into a tissue, or the inside of one’s elbow; and
f. Disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.”

Following the strict guidelines given to all schools in Alabama, we have modified our previously
announced graduation ceremonies. We will continue with our plan to conduct 2 graduation
ceremonies: the private ceremony for each individual graduate and a large-scale graduation that will be
hosted by each school in their outdoor stadium.

First, let me outline the private ceremony. The private ceremony will still be held the week of May 18 th.
This event is for each graduate and their family. The change: the 6 family member rule no longer
applies. You will be allowed to bring extra family members to your private ceremony. I strongly
encourage you to take advantage of this private ceremony, because you can bring as many family
members as you like to this event. You will need to talk to your Principal and notify him/her of how
many members you are expecting so that accommodations can be made. Because the large-scale
outdoor graduation will have limitations on guests, I once again encourage you to use this private event
as a moment to celebrate with family. This ceremony is not required; however, it will allow those
students that are unable to participate in the large-scale graduation an opportunity to do so.

Second, let me outline the outdoor large-scale graduation. Each school will be allowed to conduct a
graduation in the football stadium. Because of the social distancing required between families,
space/seating will be limited. The exact amount of tickets that each student will be allowed to distribute
to family members will be determined by each school once measurements and a plan can be
formulated. Because three of our stadiums are in the process (or will begin the process) of renovation,
graduation dates will be as early as possible. The specific date will be determined by each school. Due
to class sizes and stadium capacities being vastly different, tickets for family will not be the same for
each school. I have asked each Principal to speak with the Senior class officers ASAP and provide the
option of graduating in one of our larger stadiums of another school if they so choose. That choice will
be decided by the Senior class officers.

I am very proud of each of our graduates, and I am so thankful that you will have a large-scale
graduation with your fellow classmates. Please direct your questions to your school’s administration,
because they will be finalizing plans that are specific for you. I wish you all the best in your future
endeavors, and congratulation for completing this major milestone in your lives.

Mike Howard
Superintendent, St. Clair County Schools