ABILENE, Texas — The Abilene Independent School District has set contingency plans for the three scheduled outdoor graduation ceremonies set to take place this weekend at Shotwell Stadium, in the event of inclement weather.
AISD is scheduled to celebrate the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Science graduates at 8:30 a.m. Friday at Shotwell Stadium.
Cooper High School commencement ceremonies are planned for 8 p.m. Friday at Shotwell Stadium.
Abilene High is set to host graduation ceremonies at 8 p.m. Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.
Should the weather not allow outdoor ceremonies, AISD has offered the following information:
What you need to know about graduation 2021
What you can bring
• Umbrella
• Towel (to wipe down wet bleacher seats)
• Rain gear
• Stadium seats
What not to bring
• Noisemakers
• Outside food or drink (drinks will be sold at concession stands)
• Glass containers
• Coolers
• Pets (service animals will be allowed inside the stadium)
• Facilities are alcohol and tobacco-free
Health and safety protocols
• Masks are optional
• Open seating (gates will open 90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony for Cooper and Abilene High and 60 minutes prior to the start of the ATEMS ceremony)
Ways to get information about delays and postponements
• Email
• Facebook (AISD page)
• Twitter (AISD page)
• Public address announcements at the stadium
ATEMS inclement weather plan
• If rain delays a Friday morning start, every effort will be made to conduct the ceremony at Shotwell Stadium as planned until noon.
• If the ceremony has not started by noon Friday, it will take place at 2 p.m. Friday in the Abilene High School auditorium.
Cooper High School inclement weather plan
• The decision to delay, postpone or continue with the ceremony will be made by 6 p.m. Friday.
• If the ceremony cannot be conducted Friday, it will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.
Alternate site and time
• If weather does not allow graduation Friday or Saturday, two ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday in the Cooper High School gymnasium.
• Each graduate will receive up to four tickets for immediate family members
• The ceremonies will be split alphabetically with Cooper administrators informing students and parents of the time each group should report for their ceremony.
Abilene High School inclement weather plan
• The decision to delay, postpone or continue with the ceremony will be made by 6 p.m. Saturday.
• If weather does not allow the ceremony to be conducted Saturday, it will be rescheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Shotwell Stadium.
Alternate site and time
• If ceremony cannot be conducted Saturday or Sunday at Shotwell Stadium, two ceremonies will be scheduled for 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday in the Abilene High auditorium.
• Each graduate will receive up to four tickets for immediate family members
• The ceremony will be split alphabetically with AHS administrators informing students and parents of the time each group should report for their ceremony.
