Manatee schools announce masks, distancing and other safety measures for graduations

Manatee County schools have announced plans and safety guidelines for their upcoming graduation ceremonies.

LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W. in Bradenton, will host all but one ceremony in late July and early August. Graduations were originally scheduled for mid-May at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, but the COVID-19 pandemic sparked concerns about large crowds and social distancing.

Seniors will each receive two tickets during pick-ups next week, and graduates are required to wear a mask during the ceremonies, according to announcements by Southeast High School and Bayshore High School.

It seems they were the only schools to make a public announcement as of Thursday afternoon, but the executive director of secondary schools, Willie Clark, confirmed that safety guidelines were the same for every graduation. That includes Manatee High, the only school to hold its graduation at a different venue.

He also confirmed that masks would be required for both guests and graduates.

“The ticket count was decreased due to CDC Coordinator/Health Department concern of appropriate social distancing and the safety of all,” Southeast High said in its message to families.

Southeast High said unclaimed tickets would be available at the ticket booth on July 27, the day of its ceremony, but only for graduates’ enrolling parents.

“The ceremony will be live-streamed for those unable to attend,” the school reported.

In its announcement, Southeast High said it would allow graduates to wear sneakers and sandals but not flip-flops. The school said it would also allow shorts that extend to the mid-thigh, but not midriff shirts.

Masks will also be available to seniors who need one, the message continued.

“The mask will only be worn prior to and during the ceremony,” it states. “They will be allowed to remove their mask when it’s time to take their photo.”

In its own announcement, Bayshore High said its graduates were placed in three groups based on their last names, and that each group would arrive at staggered times on the morning of Aug. 1.

The announcement said seniors will enter the player lot off 17th Avenue West and continue through the right-field gate for check-in.

“You will receive your diploma cover and be directed to the staging area to be placed in line for the ceremony (social distancing will be accounted for in the lines).”

Bayshore High said its graduates could wear “casual clothes” under their caps and gowns, along with the required masks.

The school district recently decided to hold all graduations in the morning, hoping to avoid summer temperatures and storms.

“It is not recommended that you wear heavy dress clothes due to the outside temperature and heels are not allowed,” Bayshore High said in its announcement.

The announcement said guests could bring a small bag — 6-by-6 inches or smaller — inside the stadium. It also said visitors could also bring water bottles, hand sanitizer and “a handheld photo device.”

“All guests, including small children, must have a ticket and color card that will correspond with gate and check-in times,” the message states. “Guests are asked to wait in their car until 5 minutes before check-in time.”

Graduations are currently scheduled to begin at the end of this month:

• Southeast High School, July 27 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.

• Braden River High School, July 28 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.

• Manatee High School, July 28 at 8 p.m, Hawkins Stadium.

• Lakewood Ranch High School, July 29 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.

• Palmetto High School, July 30 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.

• Bayshore High School, Aug. 1 at 9 a.m., LECOM Park.

“If there is a rainout, the early starting time will provide the possibility of rescheduling the ceremony for later the same day,” Manatee said in a news release earlier this month.

This story was originally published July 16, 2020 at 3:44 PM.