Guests Allowed At Cherokee County Graduations

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee County Superintendent Brian Hightower announced this weekend that after working with the district's graduation host, First Baptist Church of Woodstock, the location will now be able to accommodate up to two guests per class of 2020 graduating senior for all in-person ceremonies, as scheduled, later this month.

Graduating seniors will receive an email in their Cherokee Schools account from their principal later this month with instructions on ticketing for guests and arrival.

"Upon learning some of our graduates were so disappointed that they themselves might not attend, we committed ourselves to resolving this issue," Hightower said. "We are extremely grateful that the church, as always, displayed a 'we are here to serve' attitude as we worked together to improve this year’s graduation for our students while continuing to meet health and safety guidelines."

Allowing up to two guests per graduating senior will require specific additional safety measures, Hightower said.

• SEATING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING: Students will be seated in a specific area and social distanced. All guests will be seated by ushers and social distanced; guests will not select where they sit. As is standard, guests will not be permitted to stand in aisles or come to the stage to take photos. There will be a professional photographer stationed by the stage taking photos of each student. Additionally, there will be specific signage posted about use of restrooms. Finally, guests will not be allowed to congregate in the church lobby, hallways or parking lot before or after the ceremony.

• FACE COVERINGS/MASKS: Cherokee Schools staff will be required to wear face coverings/masks. The district encourages, and may ultimately require, all graduates and their guests to wear face coverings/masks for the entirety of the event. Graduates and their guests should acquire a mask between now and then that you feel comfortable wearing, as this may be required for entry.

"Similar to the required changes we have experienced in organizing these graduations, we have many challenges ahead of us with the reopening of school," Hightower said. "Most likely, there will be disagreements about how to best educate our children and operate schools while limiting the spread of COVID-19, but we will continue to strive to make the best decisions possible as it relates to student health and safety. I firmly believe we can succeed when we work together."

Related: 2020 Valedictorians, Salutatorians Named For Cherokee Schools