BISD releases graduation plan

Bryson ISD released its modified graduation plans on Thursday, May 7, due to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

The district plans on hosting their graduation at Cowboy Stadium at 8:30 p.m. May 22, according to a press release.

Starting at 8 p.m. on graduation day, graduates will enter the parking lot on the south entrance of the track and head to the field house. At the field house, the graduates will be split into two locker rooms, screened and observe social distancing.

At 8:15 p.m., attendees will be allowed to exit their vehicles and move to their designated computer-generated row in the home stands. According to the release, each graduate will will be issued eight tickets with their names on them.

“These arrangements will have two rows between each household,” the press release reads. “Approved exceptions will be directed to their designated standing box.”

At 8:20 p.m., graduates will begin to line-up at least 10 feet apart outside the field house.

The processional will begin at 8:30 p.m. as graduates enter the field from the southwest entry and be positioned on the field between the goal posts. According to the release, each graduate will be seated 10 feet apart from another and the ceremony will begin once all are seated.

“Diplomas will not be handed out,” the press release reads. “Diplomas will be spread out on a table, when the name of each student is called, they will come and pick up a diploma and go back to their assigned seating.”

The release adds time will be allowed for pictures to be taken during this time. The ceremony will end with graduates walking out one by one and returning to the field house. 

According to the release, graduates will be allowed to return to their vehicles once all attendees have done so.

At 9:15 p.m., the graduates and their families will be invited to Bryson City Park to watch the senior slideshow in their vehicles.

According to the release, this plan was approved by Jack County Judge Keith Umphress and Local Health Authority Doctor Robert Cooper. The district will also make masks and hand sanitizing stations avaiable to all attendees.

In the event of bad weather, graduation will be moved to 8:30 a.m May 23.