Outdoor ceremonies are planned at the Cy-Fair FCU Stadium, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, from June 1-6. Officials previously announced April 28 ceremonies would be held indoors at the Berry Center from July 6-11. Should Abbott amend his order allowing outdoor ceremonies, the district will reinstate this plan, officials said.
“The fact that we actually have graduations scheduled for these seniors is nothing short of a miracle, I believe,” CFISD trustee Don Ryan said during the May 11 board meeting. “Their year has been turned upside-down like no other graduating senior class I’ve ever seen.”
New dates are planned as follows:
- June 1: Langham Creek High School (8 a.m.), Cy-Fair High School (8 p.m.)
- June 2: Cypress Creek High School (8 a.m.), Cypress Falls High School (8 p.m.)
- June 3: Cypress Lakes High School (8 a.m.), Cypress Ranch High School (8 p.m.)
- June 4: Cypress Ridge High School (8 a.m.), Cypress Springs High School (8 p.m.)
- June 5: Cypress Woods High School (8 a.m.), Jersey Village High School (8 p.m.)
- June 6: Cypress Park High School (8 a.m.), Bridgeland High School (8 p.m.)
To help promote social distancing, each graduate will be limited to four guests rather than the usual 10, and attendees will be screened for signs of COVID-19 upon entrance.
“I’m especially happy that students who are joining the military will be able to participate before they report to duty,” trustee Julie Hinaman said during the meeting. “I know the logistics are going to be crazy and hard and inconvenient, but it’s important, and it’ll be worth it.”
Superintendent Mark Henry said ceremony times are subject to change depending on the weather during the first week of June, and June 7 will be a makeup day for any ceremonies that were not able to happen because of rain.
Ceremonies will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend or may feel uncomfortable attending in-person gatherings. During the public comment portion of the May 11 meeting, one local resident voiced his concerns about holding large events so soon.
“Moving up the graduation dates to the earlier possible is more aggressive than any other school district in the area, and it presents our community with a huge risk of a resurgence in the spread of the virus,” community member Dusty Reynolds said in a statement submitted to the district. “Delaying graduation to later in the summer or having a virtual graduation would be more appropriate.”
