This Modified Graduation Plan (the “Plan”) is based on Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order No. GA-21 issued on May 5, 2020 and follows the guidance of the Texas Education Agency. Birdville ISD will be responsible for communicating this Plan to all essential staff working the ceremony, all graduating seniors in the Class of 2020 and all graduate families. In addition, BISD will communicate the Plan and the links to the livestream of the ceremonies to the public. 

• School districts are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding graduation plans.
• If legal counsel finds the written plan permissible, the district could then seek written approval from the applicable local jurisdiction tasked with enforcement of the COVID-19-related gubernatorial or local orders to engage in the planned graduation.
• Participation by a student or family member in a ceremony is voluntary.
• School systems must cap the number of total participants (inclusive of students, families and staff) to a level that can be managed in the outdoor venue to maximize social distancing, both during the event and during entry/exit.
• School employees and facilities must comply with the guidance for School Employees in School Facilities except as authorized by this guidance.
• Students and parents (or legal guardians) must comply with the guidance on Student Non-Instructional Visits except as authorized by this guidance.
• Prior to attending the ceremony, participating students and attending family members must be screened (via questioning) by school system employees for any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19 (those found with any of these signs or symptoms must be excluded from the activity):
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit 
• • Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19 if exposure to the active confirmed case occurred within the last 14 days. 
  • Graduates may only be brought together for one event per class. No rehearsals will be permitted. 
  • Keep 6 feet or more of spacing between all participants, except that members of the same household (five individuals or fewer excluding the graduate if seated with the household) may be allowed to sit together in the audience but must be at least six feet away from any other family group at all times. 
  • Hand sanitizer or hand-washing stations must be available at all venue entrances. 
  • School employees at the ceremony must be limited to the minimum number needed to logistically support the ceremony. 
  • Diplomas or other documents may not be handed from person-to-person unless gloves are worn by those distributing diplomas. 
  • Consistent with the actions taken by many institutions across the state, consider having all employees, students or other visitors wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) while inside any facilities, or if they will come within 6 feet of another person who is not a member of that person’s household, except when photos are taken. If available, they should consider wearing non-medical grade face masks. 
  • Care should be taken and effort must be made to mitigate virus exposure when participants come into contact with documents and other objects such as diplomas and awards. 
  • School employees must be stationed appropriately to ensure compliance with all requirements and to limit congregation. 
  • A robust communication plan must be in place to address steps to be taken before, during and after the ceremony to ensure that participants are aware of safety protocols at the ceremony and explicit instructions to graduates not to congregate outside of school sponsored ceremonies or events. 
  • School officials should communicate with students’ families prior to the ceremony to determine how many family members will be attending so they can plan appropriately to implement social distancing measures, logistics, and other safety measures. 
  • Assigned seating for members of the audience should be considered to more efficiently ensure separation between household groups. 
  • Specific plans should be developed for arrivals and departures to ensure appropriate social distancing. 

• Birdville ISD will hold graduation at Globe Life Field as planned on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. (Specific times are listed above.)
• There will be no rehearsal and no congregating at the stadium or around the field or parking lots before/after the ceremonies.
• A pre-printed ticket will be required to enter the stadium gates.
• The ceremonies will be livestreamed for family and friends who are unable to attend the in-person events.
• Graduates and essential BISD staff working the ceremonies will be seated six feet apart in areas designated by Globe Life Field.
• There will not be a stage on the field. Graduates will cross home plate as their names are called.
• Guests will have assigned seats and will be limited in number in the designated concourse seating.
• Graduate messages will play on the video board.
• The ceremonies will be livestreamed on Facebook and the District’s website.
• To prevent exposure and limit occupancy, bands, choirs, and JROTCs will not participate in this year’s modified ceremonies.

See the Ticket Information for your campus as applicable.

• Birdville HS ticket information
• Haltom HS ticket information
• Richland HS ticket information
• Shannon HS ticket information

Only cars with people attending the graduation ceremony will be allowed in the designated parking lot (Lot R). Parking is FREE for attendees (see Maps).

Essential BISD staff working graduation will be given one (1) parking permit to park in Lot A (see Maps).

Attendees and staff are encouraged to leave the parking lot as soon as the graduation ceremony is over.

Graduates and their families will receive COVID-19 Screening Forms with their tickets. All attendees, including graduates, must complete BISD’s COVID-19 Screening Form before arriving at Globe Life Field for the graduation event. Every attendee’s form will be checked by event staff before being allowed to advance to the ticket check-in station. To remain touch-free, once the form is checked, the attendee will drop it in the designated box. Attendees will not be allowed to enter the stadium without a completed form.

> View Screening Forms

Graduates are expected to arrive 60 minutes before their ceremony begins, exit their car to put on their graduation cap/gown at their parking space and then walk to the VIP Entry, maintaining appropriate distance from other graduates. Once the graduate arrives, high school staff will check them in and guide the graduate to their personalized seating area where they are to remain prior to the ceremony.

Guests may begin arriving 60 minutes before the ceremony begins and are asked to follow the guidance of event staff to enter at the Toyota Southwest Entry (see Maps). Guests must have their COVID-19 Screening Form and ticket to enter.

Only the following bags are permitted in Globe Life Field for the in-person graduation event:

• Bags carried for medical reasons; and
• Manufactured diaper bags that accompany infants and young children.

All other bags, including camera bags, are prohibited.

Cameras and water bottles must be hand-carried.

The Concession Stands will not be open.

Guests will have assigned seats and can only sit in their assigned seats.

Seating capacity for this in-person, outdoor event is as follows and depends on the Gubernatorial Order in effect at the time of the ceremony:

Concourse above students for parents: 4,950 maximum

What do I do if I need handicapped seating?

All guests will enter through the same Toyota Southwest Entry gate with their assigned ticket and the Rangers will exchange it once you get onsite for an ADA seat.

Event staff from Globe Life Field will follow CDC cleaning guidelines before, during, and after each ceremony.

Globe Life Field is not requiring face coverings and gloves. However, graduates and guests are welcome to wear those items if they prefer.

Globe Life Field will provide hand sanitizer at various locations in the stadium.

Birdville ISD strongly encourages guests over the age of 65 and/or those susceptible to or at-risk of contracting COVID-19 to watch the event via livestream. The event will be livestreamed to ensure that those who are not able to attend in-person can watch the ceremony live online. After June 9, check the District website for additional details.