Graduation 2005 and Beyond

1
Graduation 2005 and Beyond

• Consideration for Changes

2
Authority for Graduation

• School Board Policy 9-30 reads
• Each Principal shall make provisions for
  appropriate graduation exercises and shall
  determine student eligibility for participation
  in such exercises.

3
Graduation History

• Currently, graduation ceremonies are held in high
  school stadiums.
• High school principals plan and conduct
  ceremonies.
• All graduation ceremonies are held concurrently
  on a date established by the School Board
  calendar.

4
Graduation History

• Weather has been a factor in the past several
  years causing some ceremonies to conclude before
  all student names have been called.

5
Graduation History

• Currently, Chesapeake is the only school division
  in the immediate area planning to conduct
  graduation ceremonies at the school stadium.

6
Neighboring School Divisions

• HamptonHampton Coliseum
• Newport NewsHampton University Convocation
  Center
• NorfolkChrysler Hall and Douglas Wilder Center

7
Neighboring School Divisions

• PortsmouthChurchland High School gymnasium and
  Willet Hall
• SuffolkSchool gymnasium
• Virginia Beach--Pavilion

8
A Year in Review Graduation 2004

• Following the 2004 graduation ceremony,
  principals, graduates, and their guests expressed
  some concern
• Weather
• Inability of family members to attend more than
  one graduation
• Demands of pre-ceremony and post-ceremony
  preparations

9
Consideration of alternate sites

• Chesapeake Conference Center
• Ted Constant Center on the campus of Old Dominion
  University

10
Chesapeake Conference Center

• Limited seating capacity and inadequate parking
  do not meet the needs of the graduating class of
  2005
• Seating capacity (2500 seats)
• Parking (350 spaces)

11
Ted Constant Center

• Located on Hampton Boulevard on the campus of Old
  Dominion University
• Currently the site for two graduation ceremonies
• Tidewater Community College
• Old Dominion University

12
Ted Constant Center
13
Ted Constant Center

• In-door facility, climate controlled
• Seating capacity of 6500-7000
• Complimentary parking for 1400 vehicles with
  additional parking located at the university
• Room for graduates to assemble prior to
  graduation and to receive diplomas after the
  ceremony

14
Graduation Considerations

• Amend School Board calendar to schedule
  graduation over a three-day period
• Develop a rotation schedule as to how schools
  will hold commencement exercises
• Schedule student and guest transportation from
  each high school to Old Dominion University (as
  needed)

15
Graduation 2005 and BeyondTed Constant
Center
16
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