Lexington-Richland School District Five is announcing important updates and details about its in-person 2021 graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021.
Ceremonies will still be held in-person on Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, but the district will now hold ceremonies at sites within the district, instead of at the Colonial Life Arena, due to uncertainty over ongoing COVID-19 restrictions at larger event venues. Ceremonies for Chapin High School (CHS), Dutch Fork High School (DFHS), Irmo High School (IHS) and Spring Hill High School (SHHS) will be held at the district’s three high school football stadiums.
“Graduation is a major milestone for our students and our parents, and we are committed to making these ceremonies safe, celebratory events that honor all the steps our students have taken to get to this point in their lives,” said Dr. Christina Melton, superintendent of School District Five. “Moving these ceremonies back to school sites allows us to make definitive plans and move forward with preparations, rather than wait on changing restrictions for venues. We look forward to celebrating our seniors and their families in June.”
With the decision to move ceremonies to district venues, School District Five is also announcing times and dates for each school’s graduation ceremony:
· IHS Graduation – Friday, June 18: 8 a.m. @ Irmo High School Stadium
· SHHS Graduation – Friday, June 18: 7 p.m. @ Irmo High School Stadium
· CHS Graduation – Saturday, June 19: 8 a.m. @ Chapin High School Stadium
· DFHS Graduation – Saturday, June 19: 7 p.m. @ Dutch Fork High School Stadium
Inclement weather plans will be announced closer to graduation dates and could include changes to dates, times and/or locations.
The district is planning to implement several safety measures in response to COVID-19, including mask requirements, limited seating/attendance and social distancing. While large event venues are currently planning to allow only two guests per graduate, the district plans to allow four guests per graduate as it did last year for in-person graduations at its stadiums.
Arrival time for students, parking guidelines, information about masks and other health requirements, and other details about graduation ceremonies will be shared with seniors and their families before graduations. Metal detectors will be used, law enforcement and safety officials will be present, and the district’s clear bag requirement will be enforced. The district will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and work with health officials to make adjustments to plans as needed.
