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Celebrating the Class of 2020
EMS ISD Graduation Ceremonies
During these unprecedented times, our goal in EMS ISD is to continue to provide the Class of 2020 and their families with a graduation ceremony that celebrates this important milestone with a memorable, safe, commemorative in-person event hosted at the Chisholm Trail High School Stadium. If you missed the video message about graduation from Dr. Chadwell, we encourage you to watch it on the tab below. EMS ISD leaders are committed to providing a special day of celebration for every graduate and their families.
Current governor’s orders do not allow for in-person, indoor graduation ceremonies for the foreseeable future. Therefore, all EMS ISD high schools will graduate their Classes of 2020 on May 30 in an open-air celebration at the CTHS Stadium, located at 3100 NW College Drive Fort Worth, TX 76179. Graduation times are as follows:
- Boswell High School — 8:00 am
- Watson High School — 11:30 am
- Chisholm Trail High School — 2:00 pm
- Saginaw High School — 6:00 pm
The CTHS Stadium was chosen because it is the largest in the district, which will allow for the maximum number of families to participate in graduation under the state requirements for physical distancing and personal safety. It also has the most parking available on site.
The state requirements to host an in-person graduation are extensive, but hosting an in-person graduation is a priority for our high schools and EMS ISD. Therefore, we are willing to work within these orders to provide this special experience for our students. Please watch for information from your high school principal, and check district and campus websites and social media updates weekly for additional details. District and campus personnel are working diligently to ensure we provide a safe, efficient, and positive experience for our graduates and their families.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the 2020 Graduation Ceremonies. Responses will be added as questions are received and details finalized. Please check back regularly for updates.
Ceremony Details
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- Seniors will have the opportunity to walk across a stage and receive their diploma in person. Seniors must meet graduation requirements in order to be eligible to graduate on May 30.
- Graduation times have been changed to accommodate four graduations in one day and to ensure that we have ample time between graduations to sanitize the facility in preparation for the next ceremony. Graduation times for each high school are listed above.
- State orders require that districts maximize physical distancing for all participants – graduates, families, and staff – during the ceremony as well as during entry and exit for both the graduates and the audience. We are working on logistics for a safe and smooth procedure, and details will be provided.
- The governor’s orders restrict the number of family members to no more than five, not including the graduate, at the graduation ceremony. This is to provide for physical distancing and comply with limited occupancy restrictions. Each graduate will receive five tickets to distribute, and tickets and assigned seating will be required for the event.
- Each ceremony will be livestreamed at www.emsisd.com and will be accessible at no cost. The district is providing a professional videography company, Altre Media, to video each graduation ceremony. More information is available on the Professional Photography and Videography tab above.
- All participants will be questioned, per state order, about their health status and possibility of exposure to COVID-19 prior to entering.
- Once again, the stadium will be sanitized between each graduation event.
- Measures will be taken to ensure no contact during distribution of printed programs, diplomas, and other documents.
- Graduates and/or families will not be allowed to congregate in groups either inside or outside the stadium at any time; no portrait sessions will be allowed. The district is providing a professional photography company, Glamourcraft Photography, to capture formal moments of your graduate’s ceremony. More information is available on the Professional Photography and Videography tab above.
- Seniors will have the opportunity to walk across a stage and receive their diploma in person. Seniors must meet graduation requirements in order to be eligible to graduate on May 30.
A Message From Dr. Chadwell
Professional Photography and Videography
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Professional Videography
The district is providing a professional videography company, Altre Media, to video each graduation ceremony. Included in the video will be a special message section to allow seniors to share a short graduation message or photo with your classmates, parents, and teachers. For submission instructions and guidelines, please see the document linked on this webpage below. All submissions must be sent directly to the video company and must be received no later than June 3.
A link to download a digital copy of the video will be provided free to all graduates and their families. The form to place an order with the videographer for a physical copy of the ceremony video is also available on this webpage below.
Order Form and Instructions for Submitting Video
Professional PhotographyThe district is providing a professional photography company, Glamourcraft Photography, to capture formal moments of your graduate’s ceremony. An action photo will be made of each graduate crossing the stage as well as a professional portrait holding his/her diploma cover. Glamourcraft will email parents with a photo proof and order form a week or two following the ceremony. All purchases will be handled directly with Glamourcraft.
The district also will be posting photos from each ceremony on EMS ISD social media pages.
As a reminder, candid photos with graduates before or after the ceremony are not allowed per the governor’s orders, which prohibit anyone from congregating inside or outside of school-sponsored ceremonies at any time.
Live Stream
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All EMS ISD graduations will be offered via live stream through the main district website. The live stream feed will be available 1 hour prior to the start of each ceremony on graduation day. The district also is hosting a test window at 1 pm this Thursday so families can test their streaming capabilities and connections.
FAQs
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What is the link for the live stream?
All EMS ISD graduations will be offered via live stream through the district website. The feed will be available 1 hour prior to the start of each ceremony on graduation day. We also will host test windows during the week prior so families can test their streaming capabilities and connections.
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Can students get more than five tickets?
The governor’s orders require school districts to cap the number of total participants to a level that provides maximum social distancing for the venue. The orders also limit the number of participants per graduate to five or fewer.
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When and how will tickets be distributed?
Graduates will be invited to pick up their tickets during specified times on May 27-29. Each high school will communicate the process and details to graduates and families to ensure a smooth, no-contact pickup.
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What about families with more than one student graduating, such as twins or step-children?
Each graduate will receive five tickets to distribute. Seating will be grouped in sections of five and guests will not be permitted to sit in groups larger than five (moving seats is not permitted).
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Can my young child sit with an adult without a ticket?
Children ages 2 years and younger do not need a separate ticket as long as they are seated with an adult, either in a wearable baby carrier or on an adult’s lap. Children older than 2 years will need a separate ticket for their own seat.
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If a student doesn’t have a need for five tickets, can they give away the rest of their tickets to another graduate?
Each graduate will receive five tickets to distribute. Please remember the purpose of grouping seating in groups of five is to minimize social distancing between members of different families who have not been together during the stay-at-home orders.
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Will there be special seating for people in wheelchairs, etc.?
The CTHS Stadium is equipped to accommodate guests with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact your high school principal on or before May 20 if you or a family member who is attending needs ADA accommodations.
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Will additional spectators be allowed to watch the ceremony outside the gates?
No. The Governor’s orders prohibit anyone from congregating inside or outside of school-sponsored ceremonies at any time.
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When will graduates receive their actual diploma?
Graduates will receive their diploma and diploma cover at the ceremony.
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Can we take pictures following the ceremony on the field or on the stage?
No. The Governor’s orders prohibit anyone from congregating inside or outside of school-sponsored ceremonies at any time. This includes for portrait sessions. Immediately following the ceremony, graduates and guests will be directed to exit the stadium the same way they entered to minimize contact with others. It is important that the stadium be cleared quickly so that district staff have time to sanitize surfaces before the next ceremony.
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How will families receive the formal graduation portraits?
After crossing the stage, each graduate will be photographed holding their diploma and cover. The photography company will email parents with a photo proof and order form. All purchases will be handled directly with the photography company, Glamourcraft Photography.
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Where are we going to park, and how will we know where our seats are located?
Parking is available on the home and visitor sides of the stadium, and detailed parking information for guests will be provided during ticket pickup and on the district website. Gate and seating information will be included on the graduation tickets.
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Will the dress code for graduates be changed this year?
Graduation will remain a formal event. Each high school will communicate dress code requirements for graduates. If you have a hardship or need assistance with meeting the dress code, please contact your high school administration.
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How are you going to keep spectators socially distanced as they enter and exit the stadium?
Guests will have assigned entry gates and seating areas. Seating will be in groups of five with a six-foot distance between groups. Pedestrian traffic will be routed through specified entry gates for their seating area. All groups will exit the same way they enter. Guests are asked to help monitor their personal safety by staying six feet apart, following directions of district personnel, and remaining patient as the entry and exit process may take a little longer than usual under these restrictions.
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Will masks be required?
District and campus leaders are working to ensure seating meets physical distancing requirements of six feet between all participants, including graduates. The district will provide masks to graduates who wish to wear them. Audience members may bring their own masks or cloth face coverings if desired. The governor’s order suggests but does not require face coverings to be worn.
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What are you going to do to ensure the facility is clean for each graduation ceremony?
Prior to each ceremony, hard surfaces within the stadium will be cleaned and sanitized using disinfectant and/or electromagnetic sprayers similar to those used by hazardous materials crews. Additionally, all participants will be screened prior to entering the facility and contact between family groups will be limited as much as possible.
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What happens if there is bad weather? Is there a makeup date?
If graduation has to be postponed due to weather on May 30, the ceremonies will be hosted the following day on May 31. If weather is still a concern on May 31, the ceremonies will be rescheduled to June 1.
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Will there be a graduation rehearsal for seniors?
No. The governor’s orders prohibit rehearsals for graduation. Graduates will be provided detailed instructions leading up to graduation and immediately prior to entering the stadium.
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Will professional photographs be made of the graduates receiving their diploma like in previous years?
Yes. After crossing the stage, each graduate will be photographed holding their diploma and cover. The photography company will email parents with a photo proof and order form. All purchases will be handled directly with the photography company, Glamourcraft Photography.
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Will there be a video of graduation?
Yes. Every graduate will receive a link to a free downloadable video of their graduation ceremony. Physical copies of the video will be available for purchase via a form emailed to parents and posted on the district website.
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What happens if a senior cannot attend graduation? How will he/she get his/her diploma?
Seniors who cannot attend graduation should email their Principal for additional instructions.
