Last year, our staff and students rallied around the Class of 2020 with yard signs, a parade, a virtual graduation, and individual ceremonies in our gymnasium. With respect to how the Class of 2020 will be remembered, those unique celebrations will always be associated with the challenges and hardships those seniors endured with their education disrupted due to COVID-19.
As for the Class of 2021, these senior Tigers have also seen their fair share of challenges to overcome. They have started in hybrid models, moved to remote learning, and then back to in-person learning as the safety needs have evolved throughout the school year.
While we must still be diligent in our mask wearing and social distancing, Circleville High School and the District are pleased to announce that the 163rd Commencement Ceremony will be held in-person, back in our high school gymnasium on Friday, May 28th, 2021 where it has been held since 2014.
The 163rd Commencement will be held in split sessions made up of a 5 p.m. ceremony (Last name's A-J) and a 7 p.m. ceremony (last name's K-Z).
Providing a split-session graduation will afford each student with the opportunity to invite up to 6 guests to the indoor ceremony. From a safety discussion, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's indoor entertainment venue order limits the maximum number of patrons permitted in any indoor entertainment venue shall be 25% of fixed, seated capacity. Based on that percentage cap, hosting a split session graduation enables each graduate to have twice as many guests (6) as opposed to only three in a single graduation if all students and families were present at once. Tickets will be available on HomeTown Ticketing starting Friday, April 23rd.
In the event that the state adjusts the indoor event venue capacity limits (and that there is a safe way to proceed forward), the District would then combine student groups for a singular 7 p.m. graduation.
For all things Class of 2021 celebrations, reminders, and information - such as Cap and Gown pickup days - and more be sure to stay connected to us on twitter (@CirclevilleCity), like us on facebook (@CirclevilleCitySchools), and regularly checking in to circlevillecityschools.org.