Marietta High School Postpones Graduation Until Summer

MARIETTA, GA — Marietta High School’s commencement ceremony has been postponed until the summer. The school has tentatively scheduled its graduation date for Friday, July 24 at Northcutt Stadium.

District Spokeswoman Jen Brock tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it’ll happen “assuming we are allowed to hold the ceremony based upon health and safety guidelines and policies at that time.”

Cobb County schools posted on its website that it intends to “recognize and honor the graduating class of 2020 in a memorable way.”

The school district said it is looking at graduation alternatives that include both virtual and in-person. An update on its decision is expected by June 1.

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera wrote a letter April 24 addressing the upcoming school year.

There is an obvious question on everyone’s mind: will we open our schools for students in August? The honest answer: I just don’t know. What I do know is that we will continue to rely on guidance from the experts about the safest approach for our students and staff. In the meantime, we are taking proactive measures to be prepared for the day that we are given permission to resume “normal” school. Such considerations include but are not limited to medical safety protocols, increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and the potential for additional school closures in the future. If we are unable to open school as scheduled on August 4 or if we have continued school closures next school year, I may be forced to consider Fall Break (September 28-October 2) or Mid-winter Break (February 16-19) as options to recover lost instructional days. It is too early to know for certain, but I feel it is worth acknowledging this possibility.

As we navigate this uncertain future together, I want you to have peace of mind that we will work with each family to find the right solution for your student. We will make decisions that support 12 schools and 8,753 students; we will also acknowledge that each child and family may have unique needs as we consider walking back into a school building.