John McEachern High School

Class of 2021

Commencement Information and Schedule of Activities

Thursday, May 27, 2021, 9:00 AM

Walter H. Cantrell Stadium

McEachern High School

It is important that you and your family review the following information carefully.

LOCATION OF VENUE AND DIRECTIONS

Cantrell Stadium is located on the campus of McEachern High School at 2400 New Macland Road, Powder Springs, GA 30127. From Macland Road turn south onto New Macland. From Richard D. Sailors Parkway turn north onto New Macland. Additional approach information and alternate routes are available on the district website (www.cobbk12.org/graduation).

PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES

The Cobb County School District (CCSD) considers the health, safety, and overall well-being of students, teachers, staff, and guests to be of paramount importance. While COVID-19 continues to impact our communities, measures must be taken to implement required public health guidance. The District will adhere to guidance from local, state, and federal authorities and follow the guidance of the Cobb and Douglas Public Health Department.

Safety measures to be implemented include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Graduates and stage guests will each be seated six (6) feet apart.
• Family groups of four (4) must maintain a social distance of six (6) feet from other family groups, graduates, and working staff except for brief encounters such as entry to the venue and purchase of concessions and merchandise.
• Audience must sit in designated seats.
• Grandstand seating is clearly marked with CCSD logo “SIT HERE” labels.
• Limited field seating is available in chairs grouped in sets of four (4).
• At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates and family/guests are asked to exit the stadium and depart campus without congregating in large groups.

Those and other specific measures necessary for the ceremonies will be outlined on the district graduation web page (www.cobbk12.org/graduation) no later than the week prior to commencements using guidance available at that time.

TICKET ALLOCATION FOR COMMENCEMENT

Students will receive four tickets per graduate to be used for the Cantrell Stadium ceremony only.    Tickets will be distributed on May 25 from 9 AM to 1 PM in Russell Hall.  Students will need to bring a picture ID and will be asked to sign indicating the receipt of their ticket.  If a student is unable to attend, the enrolling adult in the student’s profile in OnTrack may pick up their student’s tickets.   There are NO extra tickets available. 

Everyone entering the commencement ceremony must have a ticket.   This includes small children and babies.

SENIOR CLEARANCE

• A letter will be sent out to each student indicating their fines on April 15.
• All fees for lost or damaged textbooks, media materials, parking, classroom instructional equipment, uniforms, or any other materials owed to the school must be cleared by Friday, May 21, at 4:00 PM.   Please see Mrs. Susan Harmon in the bookroom prior to May 21 to take care of such matters.
• Band, Orchestra and Chorus fines must be paid in the Band Building. Please see Mrs. Johnson.
• Fines can be paid in cash in the bookroom or via www.MyPaymentsPlus.com.
• The last day to make a payment on www.MyPaymentsPlus.com is May 20.  Any payment made after this date must be done in the bookroom. 
• Students with outstanding fees will be prohibited from participating in the commencement ceremony.  

COMMENCEMENT “VIRTUAL REHEARSAL”

Mr. Lockhart will hold a graduation zoom meeting with seniors on March 31 at 10 AM and 2 PM to discuss graduation protocols for all those that will be participating in the ceremony on May 27 at 9 AM.  

Join Zoom Meeting at 10 AM with students with the last name A – L.

https://cobbk12-org.zoom.us/j/9752635885?pwd=cy9xYWE4dWk5RXpaUURyT0drUUxpZz09

Meeting ID: 975 263 5885

Passcode: 2Z9i1H

              OR

Dial by phone your location

Meeting ID: 975 263 5885

Passcode: 081353

Join Zoom Meeting at 2 PM with students with the last name M – Z.

https://cobbk12-org.zoom.us/j/9752635885?pwd=cy9xYWE4dWk5RXpaUURyT0drUUxpZz09

Meeting ID: 975 263 5885

Passcode: 2Z9i1H

              OR

Dial by phone your location

Meeting ID: 975 263 5885

Passcode: 081353

Please make sure that you check your email for further information, including log-in zoom codes.  Also continue to check emails regarding senior activities that are being planned.

COMMENCEMENT ATTIRE 

Graduates are expected to wear academic attire available from the school’s graduation vendor.  Commencement is a formal ceremony of prestige and honor.  To ensure the decorum of the ceremony and to provide consistency among schools, alterations to the mortarboard and gown will not be permitted.   Graduates may only wear stoles, cords, and other insignia authorized by the school.  

• Ladies should wear a dress of any color with black shoes.  The dress may not hang below the gown.

Flat shoes are recommended due to the distance graduates will walk from the Taylor Farm parking lot to the Health, Physical Education, and Wellness Gym (HPEW) and Cantrell Stadium.  

• Men are expected to wear a collared shirt, dark dress slacks, dress shoes, and socks.   For outdoor ceremonies, ties are not required.

Only those in proper attire will be allowed in the processional.  Flowers and large pieces of jewelry are not allowed.  Remove your gown from the packaging prior to commencement and hang it up so wrinkles will fall out.  Use a cool iron to press, if necessary.  SLIPPERS, DECORATIONS OR ADORNMENTS ON CAPS OR GOWNS will not be permitted.  You will not participate in the ceremony if you are not dressed appropriately!

COMMENCEMENT DAY

On the day of commencement, graduates should park in the Taylor Farm Parking Lot, which is located by the track field on Brand Road.   Students may not park on campus for this event.  Every senior must be in the HPEW by 7:30 AM on the day of commencement for line up.  Gates at Cantrell Stadium will open at 8:00 AM for our guests and families. All ticketed guests, including those with disabilities or elderly guests requiring individualized assistance, will enter Cantrell Stadium through the north gate and west gate located on between Cantrell Stadium and the HPEW Gym.  Parking for guests is available using entrances on New Macland Rd and Gaydon Rd.  Accessible and special assistance parking will be available in front of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) using either the north entrance on New Macland Road or the northwest entrance Gaydon Road. Officers will direct guests to parking.  Overflow parking will be available off-site.   Directions will be available on the district website (www.cobbk12.org/graduation).  Guests with disabilities and elderly guests requiring individualized assistance may be seated on the field or in the grandstands.  Guests may not stand along rails.  

DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION

All graduates will receive their official diploma in the McEachern cafeteria immediately at the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.

CONDUCT/EXPECTATIONS OF GRADUATES AND GUESTS

• All policies, rules, and regulations of the school will be enforced, especially dress code.
• Students must remain properly dressed throughout the ceremony, and they are expected to follow directions explained during rehearsal; otherwise, they will be excluded from the ceremony.
• Possession of any disruptive objects may lead to immediate removal from the ceremony.
• Balloons and signs will not be allowed in Cantrell Stadium.
• Students must arrive on time, follow directions, and cooperate fully during the rehearsal and the ceremony. 
• Disruptive students will be removed and not allowed to participate in the ceremony.
• Restitution for any damage to the venue, district property, or vendor property will be the responsibility of the graduate(s) and/or audience who cause the damage.
• Graduates must wear protective masks.

COMMENCEMENT PHOTOS, DVD SALES, AND FLOWER/GIFT SALES 

Video production, recording, and DVD sales for schools assigned to a district-managed venue will be provided by the Events Office.   

DVD sales will be made available online on the district graduation page (www.cobbk12.org/graduation).  The district will provide a link for the sales of DVDs on the district graduation page and may run advertising spots before and after the ceremony both at the venue and via the webcast. Sales kiosks will be in the pre-function areas and/or outside the venue for onsite sales.

We have arranged for Cady Studios to take individual photographs of graduates as they receive their diplomas.  Cady Studios will email to the parents a proof of this photo with ordering information.  

To our guests, only hand-held cameras that do not block the view of other guests may be used. No one will be allowed to set up cameras with tripods to video the ceremony. Also, the use of selfie-sticks is prohibited inside and outside Cantrell Stadium.

FINAL TRANSCRIPT  

• If you are planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college/university, an athlete registered with the NCAA or NIAA, or joining the military, you must send the institution or organization a copy of your final transcript.
• Your transcript will be available for pick up, to be mailed, or sent electronically on June 1, 2021.  
• Every student at McEachern High School receives ONE FREE FINAL TRANSCRIPT.  If you would like to send more than one final transcript, each additional transcript costs $2.00. Cash only.
• You may pay with a credit/debit card until May 26 at 11:59 PM online (www.MyPaymentsPlus.com).
• After May 26, the student must come to campus to pay for transcripts.
• To request your final transcript complete this form: Final Transcript Form
• Please do not submit multiple requests for the same school. You only need to submit this form one time for each college.  Submitting multiple times will delay the process.
• If you complete the FINAL TRANSCRIPT FORM, BE SPECIFIC. List the college where you would like your transcript sent and check whether you would like the transcript to be sent electronically or through the USPS.
• After completing the Final Transcript Form, you must also log into your NAVIANCE account and add the name of the college (if you haven’t already).  Failure to do so will delay delivery of your final transcript.
• The Office of School Counseling is unable to send final transcripts via email.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Participation in commencement is a privilege.
• Please remember all graduation requirements must be met by May 21 to participate in the commencement ceremony.
• This ceremony is an official function of McEachern High School. All Cobb County School District and McEachern High School policies, rules, and regulations are in effect.
• Students with a minimum of 3.500 cumulative GPA (not rounded off) will receive their honor cords at the May 6 Senior Honors event.  Club cords and stoles will also be given at this event.
• Yearbooks can be purchased online through www.MyPaymentPlus or directly from the vendor at www.yearbookordercenter.com (school code 137)
• If you have any questions, please see Mr. James Lockhart in the Career Technology Building.   You may also contact Mr. Lockhart at (770) 222- 3710 X 017 or by email at james.lockhart@cobbk12.org.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

Monday          May 3 at 7PM            Movie on Lawn – Cantrell Stadium – students will sit on turf.

• Students will be required to wear masks and be socially distanced.
• Senior only event.

Tuesday          May 4 at 6PM            Senior Night at Sparkles – Students will follow Sparkles COVID-19 protocols.

• Each senior will pay whatever Sparkles charges to attend.                                                    

Wednesday     May 5 at 12 noon    Senior Lunch – Cantrell Stadium – Students will sit in the bleachers.

• Masks required.  Students will be seated socially distanced.
• Senior only event.

Thursday         May 6 at 6:30 PM     Senior Honors Evening – Cantrell Stadium

• Awards Night – Scholarships and academic awards. Cords and stoles from national honor societies will be given on this night.
• 2 guests maximum for seniors/Masks required.
• Students and guests will sit in bleachers, socially distanced.
• In event of inclement weather, senior activities will move to the next week.

                                                                        McEachern High School

Class of 2021 Important Dates