Rain and thunderstorms are possible Friday and Saturday, and the Oak Ridge High School graduation could be rescheduled or moved depending upon the weather.
Oak Ridge Schools announced the plan on Tuesday.
ORHS graduation is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 7, at Blankenship Field (the football field), with gates opening at 6 p.m.
The National Weather Service forecast for Oak Ridge currently calls for a 50 percent to 80 percent chance of rain on Friday, with a thunderstorm possible after 2 p.m.
There is a 70 percent to 90 percent chance of rain on Saturday, with another thunderstorm possible.
“With inclement weather in the forecast, we have updated our contingency plan and communication process to ensure the safety and timely notification of our families and the Oak Ridge Community,” Oak Ridge Schools said.
“The decision of whether to postpone the graduation ceremony will be made by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17. That announcement will be made via text, phone call and email to all high school families through the district’s Skylert platform. The announcement will also be posted to the district’s social media pages, website, and shared as an email announcement to local media outlets. This webpage will be updated with all the most recent updates regarding the 2023-24 graduation ceremony.
“As always, should Friday’s graduation be cancelled due to weather, the ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at Blankenship Field. Understanding that the current weather forecast for Saturday is not favorable, and to ensure an opportunity for as many loved ones and community members to attend as possible, Oak Ridge Schools has added Sunday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at Blankenship Field as an additional rain date for the graduation ceremony.
“The district will make every effort to hold the ceremony outside, as moving to our indoor location at Wildcat Arena significantly reduces capacity and would require limited ticketing of attendees. With that said, should the ceremony be forced indoors, an announcement would be made following the same process listed above, no later than 7 a.m. Sunday, May 19. The indoor ceremony would take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, and tickets would be required. No tickets are required for outdoor ceremonies.”
Graduation Celebration will still occur on Friday, May 17, regardless of the whether it is raining. Graduating seniors who are participating should report to the Oak Ridge Civic Center at 10 p.m. and board the buses to Main Event at 11:30 p.m.
Friday’s graduation ceremony will be live streamed on Wildcat TV. To watch it, visit www.ortn.edu/wcat.
Contingency Plan:
- Option 1: Outdoor – 7 p.m., Friday, May 17, 2024, Blankenship Field
- Option 2: Outdoor – 7 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024, Blankenship Field
- Option 3: Outdoor – 2 p.m., Sunday, May 19, 2024, Blankenship Field
- Option 4: Indoor – 2 p.m., Sunday, May 19, 2024, Wildcat Arena
Communication Channels:
- Skylert text, email and phone call to all High School families
- Oak Ridge Schools Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
- Oak Ridge Schools website
- Local media
- Oak Ridge Schools digital signs
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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