Fairfax High Changes Graduation Location After Backlash From Families

FAIRFAX, VA — After an apparent backlash from Fairfax High School families over a change in venue and the number tickets that would be available for the school's June 4 graduation, Principal Georgina Aye announced that the ceremony would be held at the school's football stadium.

"The City School Board and Fairfax High have heard the resounding concerns and feedback from our students and community," Aye said, in an email sent to families at 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday. "We will be moving graduation back outside to our football field location. The momentous occasion will occur on June 4th at 9:00 a.m. Our outdoor stadium location will allow for ALL family and friends to celebrate OUR GRADUATES."

The principal asked for "grace in the presentation of our facility," noting that some sections would be roped off due to the construction.

"We want to apologize for any stress or frustration the earlier message caused families, we were concerned with safety and access," Aye said. "We are working with the fire marshal to accommodate those challenges. We want Fairfax High to have the best graduation and cannot wait to celebrate The Class of 2024."

Aye's email followed one sent out at 12 p.m. on Tuesday by the City of Fairfax Schools notifying families that the 2024 graduation ceremony was going to be moved inside due to construction at Stalnaker Field.

"We want to share a very important change that has been made to the Fairfax High School Graduation location," the email said. "Due to the current renovation plans of the press box and the concession stand, The City of Fairfax School Board and Fairfax High have determined we cannot accommodate an outdoor graduation. This decision was based on safety and seating considerations at the stadium."

The graduation instead would take place at Patrick Liang Field House. Due to limited seating, the ceremony would live-streamed to the school's auditorium and be available for family members to view from home. All seniors would receive six tickets, five for the gym and one for the auditorium.

But, in response to the feedback the school received from the community, the graduation will take place as originally planned at 9 a.m. on June 4 at the school's football stadium.

The following letter was sent to Fairfax High School families at 12 p.m., on Tuesday:

Greetings Fairfax Families,

We want to share a very important change that has been made to the Fairfax High School Graduation location. Due to the current renovation plans of the press box and the concession stand, The City of Fairfax School Board and Fairfax High have determined we cannot accommodate an outdoor graduation. This decision was based on safety and seating considerations at the stadium.

Graduation festivities for the class of 2024 will be held in our traditional indoor location. Graduation for the Class of 2024 will be held June 4, in the Patrick Liang Field House. Please see below for specific details related to this momentous event.

• All seniors will receive 6 tickets (5 Field House, 1-Auditorium ticket for live streaming)
• Due to limited capacity in the Field House and auditorium, no additional tickets will be available.
• Graduation will be streamed online and may be viewed in the auditorium and in your home.
• Doors will open to the public at 7:30am June 4 for the Graduation ceremony. All guests attending Graduation must be seated by 8:50am at which time doors will be closed and reopened after the procession.

The email ended with contact information for physical education teacher Brendan Shapiro and administrative assistant Gisele Gray, who were handing graduation logistics and facilities questions, respectively.

The following letter is Aye's message to parents, which was sent out at 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday:

Dear Fairfax Families,

We hope this message finds you well. The City School Board and Fairfax High have heard the resounding concerns and feedback from our students and community. We will be moving graduation back outside to our football field location. The momentous occasion will occur on June 4th at 9:00 a.m. Our outdoor stadium location will allow for ALL family and friends to celebrate OUR GRADUATES. We ask for grace in the presentation of our facility, there will be some seating areas that are restricted due to ongoing construction. We want to apologize for any stress or frustration the earlier message caused families, we were concerned with safety and access. We are working with the fire marshall to accommodate those challenges. We want Fairfax High to have the best graduation and cannot wait to celebrate The Class of 2024.

Georgina Aye, Proud Principal of Fairfax High School