GMHS CLASS OF 2021 Graduation Information - Groveport ...

GMHS CLASS OF 2021
Graduation Information

GMHS Class of 2021
                      Graduation Information
GRADUATION CEREMONY – FRIDAY, JUNE 4

WHERE:        Fortress Field
              2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz, OH 43207

WHEN:         Friday, June 4
              7:00 PM

Rain Date:    Friday, June 11
              7:00 PM

After gathering feedback from soon-to-be graduates and their parents on the best location to hold
graduation, The Fortress (Fortress Field) in Obetz was overwhelmingly selected by students and their
parents for this year’s graduation ceremony.

Fortress Field is an outdoor multi-sports/events venue off of Alum Creek Drive. It has parking for several
thousand vehicles, and its 6,500-seat stadium allows for ample seating for students' families and
friends.

GRADUATE BREAKFAST, CLASS PICTURE & GRADUATION PRACTICE

WHEN:         Thursday, June 3
              9:00 AM

Graduation practice is scheduled for Thursday, June 3. Seniors will meet at the high school at 9:00 AM
for breakfast. At 9:45 AM, Seniors will move to the auditorium for the Senior Class picture. All Seniors
will be given a Class of 2021 T-shirt to wear for the class picture. At 10:00 AM, students will board the
buses to be transported to Fortress Field, where practice will be held.

DIRECTIONS TO FORTRESS FIELD FROM G.M.H.S.

•   From Groveport Madison High School – Take S. Hamilton Rd. north to Williams Rd. Turn left (west)
    onto Williams Rd.
•   Continue driving west on Williams Rd. West to Alum Creek Drive.
•   Turn left (south) onto Alum Creek Dr. and cross over the railroad tracks. Immediately after crossing
    the railroad tracks, turn right (west) onto Recreation Trail.
•   Continue following Recreation Trail past the Obetz Municipal Building, the Obetz Rec. Center, and
    several athletic fields to Fortress Field.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC
There is an abundance of parking. Signage will be located on Alum Creek Drive and along
Recreation Trail, directing people into the complex.

HANDICAPPED PARKING
Parking for people with disabilities is located directly in front of the main entrance to Fortress Field.

EVENT STAGING & SET-UP

STAGING OF GRADUATES BEFORE THE CEREMONY
On the day of graduation, graduates will meet in the courtyard area at Fortress Field at 6:00 PM (Do
Not Be Late). Attendance will be taken, and graduates will be organized into their proper seating
locations in preparation for their processional onto the field. ONLY GRADUATES WILL BE ALLOWED IN
THE STAGING AREA.

PROCESSIONAL
Shortly before 7:00 PM, the graduates will be escorted from the staging area for the processional to
the field.

FIELD SET-UP
Seating for graduates and staff will be set up on the field. Graduates and the high school staff will be
seated on the field, with the graduates presented their diplomas at field-level, set up just as would
traditionally be done on a stage. Parents and other guests should easily be able to see their
graduate receive his/her diploma.

FAMILY AND GUEST SEATING
As long as the current COVID-19 guidance for outdoor venues remains the same, there is no limit to
seating availability. We will immediately inform graduates and their parents of any changes that may
impact seating availability.

Families and guests may sit in the stadium bleachers ONLY. No one will be permitted to enter the field
except graduates, staff, and administration. Anyone entering the field during the ceremony will be
escorted from the event by police. In addition, no one will be permitted to stand at the railing of the
stands to take photographs. Not only is this a health concern, but doing so would block the view of
other guests.

HANDICAPPED SEATING
There is more than ample seating for people with disabilities in the stadium. Ramps are located at
each end of the field. There is no on-field seating for families or guests; all handicapped-assessible
seating is in the stands.

COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

All participants will be required to wear a mask, follow social-distancing guidelines, and avoid groups
of more than ten people.

The District will continue to monitor health guidelines/requirements from the Ohio Department of
Health and the Franklin County Health Department. We will immediately inform graduates and their
parents of any changes that may impact established safety protocols.

GRADUATE PHOTOS & LIVE BROADCASTING

GRADUATE’S OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH
A free download of the photo of the graduate receiving their diploma will be available on the
Class of 2021 Graduation webpage of the high school’s website. A link to the photographer’s
website also will be provided for anyone wishing to purchase prints of the photographs. Guests
are prohibited from taking photographs from the front rail of the stands. Not only is this a health
concern, but doing so would block the view of other guests.

LIVE STREAMING
Graduation will be live-streamed over the District’s YouTube channel (Groveport Madison Schools).

COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM
The official graduation program will be handed out at the event and will be available to be
downloaded from the Class of 2021 page of the high school’s website.

DIGITAL DISPLAYS/SCOREBOARDS
Fortress Field has two large digital display boards. A camera will be on each graduate as they
receive their diploma and the images will be broadcast onto the display boards during the
ceremony.

PHOTO STATIONS
Photo stations will be set up in the courtyard and other areas for students and their families to use
as backdrops for personal pictures following the graduation ceremony.

MISCELLANEOUS

FOOTWEAR
Portions of the turf field will be covered with a hard surface to protect it and ensure no one trips
while walking on the dense synthetic turf. Students may wear shoes of their choosing, but only on
the portions of the artificial field covered with the protective surface.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Graduation from high school is an event that comes once in a student’s lifetime. The
administration and faculty have made every effort to provide a ceremony that brings meaning
to all graduates, their families, and loved ones. This is not an athletic event but rather an
academic proceeding to honor a journey fulfilled – one that students and their parents have
envisioned for a long time.

Our goal as professional staff at Groveport Madison High School is to provide a ceremony
defined by dignity and decorum. Students and parents deserve nothing less, and we make
every effort in our planning to execute a memorable event, start to finish. Proper behavior is
expected of all graduates and their guests throughout the graduation ceremony. Failure to
comply will result in removal from the event.

GO TO GMHS WEBSITE FOR ALL GRADUATION INFORMATION

All information relating to graduation activities is located on the GMHS website, at
www.gocruisers.org/Classof2021.aspx. For additional questions, contact Ms. Ashley Hansen or Mr.
Lomonico.