Our seated graduation ceremony has been scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at JQH Arena on the MSU campus beginning at 1:30 p.m. RHS will continue to monitor recommendations from the Greene County Health Department along with requirements set by JQH Arena over the coming weeks leading up to seated graduation. That said, below are some general important items for the event. Additional details will be shared as the event date gets closer.
GRADUATION PRACTICE:
* Graduation practice will take place on July 31 at 10:00 a.m. at RHS. Logistical details are being discussed to allow social distancing of students. However, attending graduation practice is a requirement in order for students to participate in the seated graduation ceremony.
* Additional graduation day protocols will be shared at this practice.
DAY OF SEATED GRADUATION:
* Students should arrive to Hammons Student Center by 12:45 p.m. on August 1. Security will be at the entrance to check students in.
* Caps and gowns should be brought, but not yet worn. No alterations (decorations) to caps and gowns should be made.
* Business casual dress is preferred. Males must wear ankle-length pants.
* All personal items (phones, purses, keys, etc) should be left with a family member or in your vehicle.
* Doors to JQH Arena will open for guests at 12:00 p.m.
* A certificate will be distributed to graduates during the ceremony since diploma covers and diplomas were already distributed during the drive-through graduation event.
* Graduates are reminded to uphold behavior standards as any disruptions would lead to removal.
* Photos will be taken and free digital copies will be available for download following the ceremony.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS:
* JQH Arena requires that all graduates and employees participating in the event must wear a mask. Graduates and employees will be provided a district logo mask to wear. However, graduates will be able to remove their mask to receive their certificate and if speaking at the podium.
* Graduates will be socially distanced.
* Spectators are highly encouraged to wear masks.
* JQH Arena has determined that each graduate will be provided 8 tickets for guests to comply with capacity rules. Tickets will be distributed to graduates at graduation practice.
* For those unable to attend, the event will be streamed. More details on this are forthcoming.
* JQH Arena ushers will escort spectators to their seats to ensure distancing guidelines are taking place.
* Families will be asked to exit the facility using multiple exits and to adhere to social distancing when meeting up with graduates outside of the building. Guests are not allowed on the event floor.
* To limit contact, graduation programs will not be distributed at seated graduation. However, these were distributed during the drive-through graduation event in each graduate's packet. One extra copy per graduate is also available for pick-up at RHS after seated graduation, and a digital version of the program will be sent to families and posted on the RHS website in July.