The new timetable runs from June 1-5 and includes one morning and evening ceremony each day at the Shenandoah arena. Hauke and Caney Creek high schools will hold their commencements June 1 at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, while each of the remaining schools will have their ceremonies split between the same morning and evening slots over the following days. The Woodlands High School ceremonies will be held June 2, Oak Ridge High School's on June 3, Conroe High School's on June 4 and The Woodlands College Park High School's on June 5. Rainout dates include June 6, 7 and 8.
According to information on the district's website, students at the four schools with two ceremonies will be assigned to participate in either the morning or evening program. All ceremonies will be available to view online through district livestreams.
The updated graduation schedule and venue were announced by the district days after the Texas Education Agency released new guidance about commencement programming in the state this spring. Based on the TEA's information, outdoor ceremonies in nonrural counties are not permitted before June 1 and must comply with agency requirements for attendance and staffing limits, advance communication and sanitary measures.
The district's previous tentative commencement schedule featured evening ceremonies to be held at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion from May 21-27, aside from Hauke's ceremony, set at Woodforest Bank Stadium. The district's original backup plan at those same venues included ceremonies running from July 11-15.
CISD Superintendent Curtis Null previously said the district was planning to hold some form of commencement this spring or summer. While the district initially targeted the May dates at The Woodlands pavilion, Null said final details would depend on the latest local and state guidance about COVID-19 and group gatherings.
"It's not going to be a typical end of the year—you know that—but it can still be special," Null said in an April 27 Facebook Live presentation.
