The senior classes of Boerne High School and Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School will hold commencement at BISD Stadium June 1-2. Here are 10 things you need to know about the upcoming graduation ceremonies:
1. Boerne High School
Boerne High School's celebration of the milestone is set for Thursday, June 1, 8 p.m. Stadium gates will open 7 p.m. BHS anticipates 242 seniors to receive diplomas that evening. (Map)
2. Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School
Champion High School will recognize the Class of '17 on Friday, June 2, at 8 p.m. Stadium gates will open at 7 p.m. CHS expects 380 seniors to walk across the stage that evening. (Map)
3. Boerne Academy
Commencement ceremonies for Boerne Academy students will take place Wednesday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Boerne Middle School North auditorium (240 W. Johns Road), where a record 26 graduates will be celebrated.
4. Pomp and Circumstance
Sir Edward Elger's famed march that we know as Pomp and Circumstance will be played as the processional at all BISD commencement ceremonies. First used as a recessional march at Yale University in 1905, the tune is played at virtually all high school and many university commencement ceremonies across the nation.
5. Foul Weather Contingencies
Boerne ISD has contingencies in place in the event of foul weather for the outdoor ceremonies, with options for rescheduling on Saturday or Sunday. Specific details on those options will be announced as necessary.
The district's goal is to give its graduates every possible opportunity to experience the commencement ceremonies along with family and friends in the stadium setting. Accordingly, weather forecasts are being monitored continually and determinations about alternate plans will be made as circumstances warrant. The safety and comfort of graduates and guests is a priority.
Any announcements regarding alternate plans will be distributed via the district's parent notification system (e-mail), Facebook, Twitter, SchoolWay mobile app, and the Boerne ISD website.
6. Internet Live Streaming
Both high school ceremonies will stream live on the Internet, with programming expected to start approximately 15 minutes prior to the event's start time. The programs can be seen across the world on the district's YouTube channel, BISDtv.
The link to access BISDtv is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwnMW5yblvsxCkUbOuMYF6g. Alternatively, viewers can go to YouTube.com and search for BISDtv.
7. Handicap Access
Handicapped parking and access to BISD Stadium will be enhanced with reserved parking between the stadium and the baseball/softball complex. Handicapped parking also will be available along the edge of the north student parking lot. Both will have direct access to the field.
Handicapped seating will be first-come, first-served in the home and visitor sections as marked. Overflow handicapped seating with guest attendant seating will be available on the track – home side. Handicapped persons and their guests will have access to restrooms in the new field house for convenience and accessibility.
8. Overflow Parking
The Curington Elementary School parking lot, 601 Adler Road, will be the site of overflow parking for commencement ceremonies. The district will have shuttle buses prepared to run between Curington and BISD Stadium as needed.
9. Mortarboards
The tradition of those odd-shaped caps that graduates fling into the air at the close of the ceremony dates back to the 15th century. What we know as mortarboards were styled after ceremonial caps worn by European clerics, scholars and professors. In the United States, it wasn't until the 1950s that colors other than black were introduced as part of the traditional cap and gown regalia.
10. No Field Access
Families are not permitted to enter the field area before, during or immediately after the ceremony. Please make plans to meet your graduates outside the stadium – perhaps near the entrance to the Boerne High School gym – at the conclusion of the event.
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