When seniors and their families attend one of three Suffolk Public Schools commencement ceremonies next month, they’ll be praying for clear skies.

For the first time in about a decade, ceremonies, scheduled for different times on June 8 for all three public high schools, will be held outside in sports stadiums instead of undercover in auditoriums.

Unless it rains, that is. The backup plan for inclement weather is to return inside, in which case fewer family members will be admitted.

“It’s been over 10 years since they were last held outside, and they were moved inside due to weather,” said Jacqueline Chavis, district deputy superintendent.

Inside venues will be set up as they have been in the past, Chavis said, incurring an extra cost. She did not have the precise figure at hand.

The School Board decided to move ceremonies back outside in March after a lobbying effort by some parents.

Many parents and students had been left unimpressed when a committee formed to look at the issue decided against any change, even after ticket-holders were turned from Nansemond River High School’s 2012 event because the gym was full.

The number of tickets available to each graduate depends on the size of the graduating class, and for the past couple of years, each family has received six tickets — four for the gym and two for the auditorium, where the event had been screened live.
This year, each senior will get four red, two yellow and four orange tickets. If administrators decide to move ceremonies indoors, the four red tickets will gain admission to the gym and the two yellow tickets to the auditorium.

“In case we move inside, students and parents are strongly advised to determine well in advance” who should receive the red and yellow tickets, a letter to Nansemond River High School families advises.

District Superintendent Deran Whitney will make the final decision whether to remain outdoors or return inside two hours before events start, Chavis said. King’s Fork High School’s ceremony is first at 9 a.m., Nansemond River second at 11:30 a.m., and then it’s Lakeland’s turn at 2 p.m.

“If the weather’s not looking good, or there’s a chance of bad weather, our director of maintenance will continue to update the superintendent,” Chavis said. “Two hours prior to the event, if there’s any reason, the superintendent will make the call.”

In the event of returning inside, families would be notified directly and messages posted on the district’s website, she said.

In letters home to family, attendees are advised against bringing balloon bouquets, tripods for recording equipment, and “noise makers.”

Chavis said, “The (school) board members have stated that we want to continue to maintain decorum appropriate for graduation ceremonies.”