Austin ISD postpones graduation ceremonies until August

Akins graduation tentatively set for Aug. 12

Mylo Bissell, Editor-in-Chief|April 14, 2020

Dee Carreon

Today, Austin ISD announced a revised graduation ceremony schedule for Aug. 10-13, 2020 although those new dates are subject to change and dependent on conditions at that time. The Akins graduation ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Erwin Center.

This afternoon, Akins Principal Tina Salazar announced in a letter to parents that Austin ISD has postponed the graduation ceremonies originally scheduled for May 26-28 has been postponed to Aug. 10-13. However, the new dates are subject to change and dependent on conditions at that time.

The Akins graduation ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Erwin Center. Also, the Austin ISD High Schools Office, with a committee of parents, students and principals, is working on a virtual graduation ceremony plan that would occur on or around June 15, 2020.

Read Principal Salazar’s full letter below:

Austin ISD
Austin ISD announced a revised graduation ceremony schedule for Aug. 10-13, 2020 although those new dates are subject to change and dependent on conditions at that time. The Akins graduation ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Erwin Center.

Dear Families,

We know how important the prom and graduation season is to our seniors, their families, and friends. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, is causing changes to all aspects of our lives.
For the safety of our students, staff, and families, and in response to the Stay Home – Work Safe order banning all large gatherings, we are canceling all proms and postponing our graduation ceremonies for this school year. Canceling proms now will allow school administrators to work with vendors to refund monies to students and families.

AISD’s graduation ceremonies originally scheduled for May 26-28, 2020, will be postponed to Aug. 10-13, 2020. All graduations (except Rosedale) will take place at the Erwin Center. As a reminder, because of the ongoing COVID-19 issues, those new dates are subject to change and dependent on conditions at that time. The tentative August graduation schedule is attached. In addition, the High Schools Office, with a committee of parents, students and principals, is working on a virtual graduation ceremony plan. We will announce details about the ceremonies shortly. We expect the virtual graduations to occur on or around June 15, 2020.
We are disappointed that these important milestones cannot continue as scheduled, but we are hopeful that we can come together virtually in June and in-person in August to celebrate the successes of our seniors.

Sincerely,
Tina Salazar
Principal, Akins Early College High School