GREAT FALLS — The three public high schools in Great Falls have released information about graduation ceremonies for seniors.
Great Falls Public Schools announced last week they will conduct three ceremonies - all at the Four Seasons arena at Montana ExpoPark - and said that only the graduates can be physically present inside at the services.
A press release from GFPS says: "We are all grieving the loss of certain opportunities to gather and celebrate things that we have traditionally been able to do. This class of graduating seniors has lost the final quarter of their senior year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and that has been unfortunate and terribly disappointing. The Class of 2020 has persevered through this unprecedented situation and we all need to celebrate their accomplishments and wish them well in their future endeavors."
Here is the schedule for the ceremonies:
- CMR High School: Friday, May 29 at 6:30 pm
- Paris Gibson Education Center: Saturday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m.
- Great Falls High School: Saturday, May 30 at 2 p.m.
We plan to live-stream the ceremonies on our website at krtv.com/live.
GFPS provided the following information in a news release on Monday afternoon detailing pre-ceremony events for each of the three schools:
Paris Gibson Education Center- Principal Drew Uecker: The bell ringing has always been a favorite tradition of seniors graduating from Paris. On Thursday, May 28, you will have a yard sign with your picture and name placed on the boulevard of 25th street. These will be in place early that morning. You will have the opportunity to pick up your yard sign after 4:00 pm that day. You will also receive your two roses at this time, not at graduation. The bell will be in the parking lot for you to ring. In place of your advisor and myself speaking, you will receive a letter to read and keep. If you choose to ring, you must maintain social distancing, sanitize before and after ringing (we will have a station available) and use the plastic glove that we supply. This again is an opportunity to do something new and unique! If we have rain, we will have signs in the gym for you to pick up, as well as the bell for ringing. You may ring from 4:00 pm until 6:30 pm that day. Please call Ami at 268-6604 to arrange to pick up your cap and gown.
Great Falls High School – Principal Geoffry Habel:
Great Falls High Pre-Graduation Ceremony May 29th , 5-8pm at GFHS
- Walk the Halls of GFH to the Senior Stairs
- Student in cap and gown
- Graduate and immediate family up to 5 are welcome (not open to public; physical distancing enforced)
Please bring a face covering (mask/scarf/face covering) required for every person while in the building On Senior Stairs
- Name of graduate announced
- Name of people accompanying them announced
- Photos taken by GFH Yearbook Advisor o Many teachers present to cheer on graduate
Assigned times to be announced and more details forthcoming to parents
CM Russell High School- Principal Kerry Parsons
- Graduation Walk May 29, 2020
- Staff make signs to post on the walk or hold- cheer on grads!
- Music playing the Pomp and Circumstance as they walk
- Cap and Tassel being made by Chris Evans on the skull
1:00 – 1:30 Seniors and their parent/family groups (no more than 5) Report to senior parking lot, take temp and get masks1:30 – Start walk of CMR Campus in front of school in small family groups spaced 12 feet apart
- Ends at the CMR Skull – Take family photo
- After picture walk through main parking lot to return to your car
3:00 - Graduation Walk Complete *Times could be changed based upon weather closer to graduation.
(Plan B- walk and photos inside building)
Foothills Community Christian school in Great Falls plans to conduct an in-person graduation ceremony. “We have five graduates, so we believe with five graduates and the size of the sanctuary, we should be able to get the social distancing we need, said David Culpepper, Foothills Community Christian Head of School. Graduation will be held on Friday, May 22nd at 6 p.m. at Central Assembly of God church. Culpepper said they're still figuring out if there will be restrictions on how many people can attend the ceremony.
Great Falls Central Catholic High School plans to conduct a "modified" graduation ceremony on May 31st, as planned. Details for that ceremony have not yet been announced.
