Conroe ISD hopes to hold graduations in May as planned despite the campus closures due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to an April 27 Facebook livestream by Superintendent Curtis Null.
As Texas begins to open up May 1, Null said, event venues will find out if they can host large events, such as graduations. Although these events could go on as planned in May, they will be modified from regular graduations with a limited audience or video speakers. 
“We’re still playing it by ear to determine what the capacity of the [Cynthia Woods Mitchell] Pavilion will be,” Null said.
Based on feedback from CISD seniors, Null said the district may break larger graduations into different ceremonies to accommodate parents and abide by social distancing rules.
“For our big school graduations, it’s not uncommon to have 1,200 or 1,300 people at the Pavilion,” Null said. “We know that there’s no way that will be possible. ... It’s not gonna be perfect.”
Null said the district is also working to moved Caney Creek High School’s graduation to the morning of May 30.
Community help, summer school and teacher celebration
- In order to give the district ways to give back, Null announced the Purposity app, which is run by CISD counselors and social workers and allows residents to donate money to fulfill the needs of families in the district such as shoes or groceries.
- CISD will begin to open for limited operations on campuses May 11, according to Null. This opening will be very limited and slow to allow for safe cleaning standards while also giving parents and teachers access to schools.
- Summer school in the district will change with the ongoing outbreak. Secondary summer school will begin online with a limited catalog of classes. Elementary summer school will begin later in the summer and may have some in-person classes, if possible.
- With the Texas State Teachers Association—Conroe, CISD will host a virtual Salute to Education on May 5 at 6 p.m. on Facebook, where Null will name the Teachers of the Year from every CISD campus.
