More than 3100 students will receive diplomas.
Frederick, Md (KM) All this week, June 1-4, more than 3100 seniors in Frederick County Public Schools will be donning caps and gowns, and marching across the stage to pick up their high school diplomas. It’s graduation week.
Spokesman Brandon Oland with Frederick County Public Schools says it’s an in-person graduation which was not possible last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re thrilled,:” he says. “We’re so happy that the conditions are improving healthwise in the county to allow in-person graduations.”
But unlike past years when commencements were held at the Knott Arena at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Oland says the 2021 graduations will be held at each high school’s football stadium. “Our graduates have had ability to invite four guests for the ceremony which means our stadiums are going to be full. So we’re asking folks, if they could, to carpool Parking will be limited,” he says.
The School System also says face coverings will be required for students and staff when moving around the stadium. They will be allowed to remove the masks when seated and socially distance from other graduates. Graduates will also be able to remove their masks when crossing the stage to receive their diplomas, and posing for graduation photos.
Guests are encouraged to wear masks. Water and hand sanitizer will be available for all guests.
Oland says commencement ceremonies will be held even if it rains. “The only severe weather that would really stop us would be if we have thunderstorms. In that case, we would wait until lightning and thunder went away from the area, and hopefully, we would be able to resume,” he says. But if the weather is too severe, Oland says a make-up date would be scheduled.
For family members and friends who are unable to attend, Oland says the graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed on You Tube. “So all folks will have to go is go to You Tube and they’ll be able to watch the ceremonies live as they happen,” he says. “We have links on FCPS.org to each of the graduation ceremonies so you can watch one, you can watch two, you can watch them all if you wanted.”
Oland says the commencements will be stored for later viewing.
By Kevin McManus
2021 Graduation Dates
| School | Date | Time | Location |
| SUCCESS Program | Tuesday, May 18 | 1 PM | The Arboretum at the ESSL |
| Rock Creek School | Wednesday, May 19 | 5 PM | Rock Creek School |
| Frederick High | Tuesday, June 1 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Gov Thomas Johnson High | Tuesday, June 1 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Heather Ridge | Tuesday, June 1 | 6 PM | Home School |
| Brunswick High | Wednesday, June 2 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Linganore High | Wednesday, June 2 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Middletown High | Wednesday, June 2 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Catoctin High | Thursday, June 3 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Walkersville High | Thursday, June 3 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Urbana High | Thursday, June 3 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Oakdale High | Friday, June 4 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |
| Tuscarora High | Friday, June 4 | 10 AM | Home Stadium |