Schools changing dates for grad night
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 22, 2007 1:45 PM
Graduation dates for 2008 have been announced for six public high schools, with two opting to hold ceremonies on a Monday this year.
Traditionally, diplomas have been handed out on a Friday or Saturday, but since the last day of school falls on a Friday, some made the decision to take the extra time, officials said.
"Every school makes the decision on graduation, that's not a central office decision," said Olivia Pierce, executive director for public relations. "They decide the time, dates, etc., so some schools are doing it on Saturday and some are doing it on Monday."
Charles B. Aycock and Southern Wayne high schools have scheduled their ceremonies for Monday, June 9, both at 7 p.m. Aycock's will be on the football field, while Southern Wayne's will be at Mount Olive College.
The other schools will operate on a staggered schedule on Saturday, June 7 -- Eastern Wayne at 9 a.m.; Goldsboro and Rosewood at 10 a.m.; and Spring Creek at 11 a.m.
No official announcement has been made at the other four schools, since the district calendar originally listed the graduation date as June 7. Only Aycock and Southern Wayne have sent out letters notifying parents of the schedule change.
"The reason you have to make the decision early is because you have to order invitations with the date on them," Mrs. Pierce said.
In the past, information pertaining to graduation was released as the spring date approached. The 2008 calendar has schools dismissing early on Friday, June 6, presenting officials with a dilemma.
"The only reason we even asked schools to let us know this early is we knew (graduations) would not be on a Friday," Mrs. Pierce said.
She explained that the decision has always been in the hands of each individual school, with most choosing to hold graduation on Friday evening. In the case of Spring Creek and Southern Wayne high schools, both located in the southern part of the county and sharing the arena at Mount Olive College, one would usually have the ceremony on Friday and the other on Saturday morning.
A few calls have been received from parents concerned about the Monday graduation, especially those having relatives coming from out of town.
Mrs. Pierce said the advisory councils at each of the schools are included in such discussions.
"For example, at Aycock, two have seniors and one is military-related and has out of town family," she said. "They were supportive of whatever the school felt was best."