Leander ISD seniors to walk in in-person graduation ceremonies

LEANDER, Texas - Graduation ceremonies will take place in early July in Leander ISD's Gupton Stadium for all six of the district's high schools. 

"They wanted to make this as normal a graduation a possible," said Corey Ryan, LISD Chief Communications Officer.

The ceremonies will take place twice a day over a three-day period beginning on Thursday, July 9th, according to Ryan. 

"We will have seating spread out across the field so that all of the graduates will be 6' apart, we will have areas in the bleachers taped off so that family or household units will be able to stay together, 6' apart, we will have requirements for masks out of the stadium," said Ryan.

Graduation remains a few weeks away and with an uptick in cases, parents and students are urged to be flexible because the plan may have to change.

"Originally when we were looking at this, we did know there was a possibility where we might have to do a scenario where students, graduates,  could still walk the stage but might not have everybody on the field at the same time, so that's still a possibility if things get to a place where it's not safe to have an on-field graduation were everyone could enjoy together," said Ryan.

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The virus may still be a threat, but parents like Theresa Shutey refuse to let COVID-19 rob them of what's been accomplished by their children. "We get four tickets, so we will go in person and then we will have other family members at the house and they will watch it online," she said.

For graduates, the plan salvages the end of a senior year sidetracked by the pandemic. "I'll be so glad to have this moment in my life and Im glad my family can witness it," said graduating senior Shon Eggeling.

As part of the graduation plan, Cedar Park High seniors will be the first to walk at 8 a.m. on July 9, followed by Vandegrift High School that night. Leander High School and Rouse High School's ceremonies will be held on Friday, July 10th and Vista Ridge High School and Glenn High School will wrap things up on July 11th.

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After graduation, Leander ISD administrators hope to finalize a plan for students who will be returning to school. "We are trying to incorporate choice as best and as much as we can for families," said Ryan.

School opening options include:

• smaller class sizes for elementary schools, with halls and cafeterias used as classrooms or diving into groups and rotating days in building with some in-home learning
• splitting middle and high school students into groups with alternating days on campus

"The state has been pretty clear, at this point we need to be ready to have some sort of in-person opportunity for students. Our job now is trying to find that balance," said Ryan.

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Sanitizing schools after everyday use, Ryan admits, will be a Herculean job. "We are going to need a lot of Hercules when this is all said and done, we are going to need several heroes to be able to make this work," said Ryan.

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