Storm Threat Forces Scheduling Change For Central Burks Graduation Ceremonies

DOYLESTOWN, PA — With the threat of severe heat and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday, the Central Bucks School District has announced a scheduling change for commencement ceremonies at CB East, CB South, and CB West high schools.

All three graduation ceremonies will now begin at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, and will be held outdoors at their originally scheduled locations.

"We know this news is significant and may create inconvenience for some families," said interim superintendent Dr. Charles Malone on Tuesday. "We made the change because it allows us to keep each school's ceremony in a traditional outdoor setting, where there is no limit to the number of attendees per graduate. If the ceremonies were moved indoors, each graduate would be limited to two guests."

Malone said it was also important to hold the ceremonies outdoors for the benefit of the district's graduating seniors. "Our graduates deserve to experience this milestone surrounded by all their family members, friends, and loved ones."

Malone said the district chose to announce the decision now to give families more time to make their own scheduling adjustments, however possible.

"We did consider other options to avoid changing the start times while still holding each ceremony outdoors," said Malone. "These included moving all ceremonies to Friday at their original times. Unfortunately, Friday's forecast may be even hotter and presents a similar threat of afternoon and evening thunderstorms."

If Thursday is a complete rain out that prevents the ceremonies from being held at 12:30 p.m., and Friday's forecast becomes completely clear, commencement ceremonies would move to Friday at their originally scheduled times at each school.

"This contingency would only be implemented if Thursday's ceremonies cannot take place at all," said Malone. "Even if Thursday’s weather forecast improves significantly over the next day, the adjusted 12:30 p.m. start times for all ceremonies will remain in place to avoid additional disruption."

More information on parking, arrival procedures, or other school-specific details that may have changed due to the time adjustment will be emailed to senior families by the end of the day on Wednesday, June 10.

"We know graduation is a momentous accomplishment in a student's educational life, and we are dedicated to making it a special day for all our seniors and their families," said Malone.