High school graduation plans released for the Jackson County School District

As more school districts on the Coast are announcing their graduation plans for the class of 2021, some guidelines have changed for graduates of Jackson County high schools.

For the Jackson County School District, graduates and their families will see slightly modified policies compared to last year’s ceremonies.

For high schools in the Jackson County School District, graduation is fast approaching for the class of 2021. Vancleave High School Principal Raina Holmes said, “We’re really looking forward to a more normal-like graduation ceremony this year, and our students are really excited.”

Class of 2020 graduates from St. Martin, Vancleave, and East Central were able to have a graduation at the Coast Coliseum under COVID-19 guidelines and with four guests per graduate.

This year, the venue will remain the same, but now, six guests per graduate will be allowed as part of the new rules. Assistant Principal Dr. Todd Boucher said, “A lot of that is mandated by COVID regulations from the governor, as well as what the Coliseum is allowing us to do.”

Holmes says with kids back in school this spring, the planning process for the big day has been much easier. “We actually had a meeting last week; we were able to give them a lot of the guidelines and meet with them as a whole and prepare them for the dress code and things that we didn’t really get to sit down and prepare them for last year that we had to use information systems like Remind and things like that.”

District leaders say they will remain in communication with Coliseum officials throughout graduation season and ensure that safety guidelines are being followed. “We’re going to follow what the Coliseum dictates, and we’re just going to make it a wonderful experience for all of the students.”

With some time to go before crossing the stage, teachers and staff are keeping kids focused before they begin the next chapter. “They’re so excited and you know they’re at that point where they’re ready to go, but there’s so many last-minute things they’ve got to take care of, and so it’s our job to keep our thumbs on them and let them know it’s not over yet.”