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Fort Smith Public Schools Graduation and Proms 2021
Graduation 2021
Per current conditions and guidelines, slightly modified graduation ceremonies will take place on schedule for the Fort Smith Public Schools Classes of 2021. Southside High School graduation ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 at the Jim Rowland Stadium. Northside High School Graduation ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 21 at Mayo-Thompson Stadium.
While maintaining practical COVID safety procedures, the school district will use outside athletic activities protocols to allow each class to graduate as a total group. This guidance will allow each student to be accompanied by up to five family members or friends. These family groups may be seated together, but they must appropriately distance from other family groups. Graduating seniors and their family members who attend these events must continue to wear face coverings.
Recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) allow FSPS to host graduation with modified restrictions as long as the Fort Smith area does not experience a spike in COVID cases over the next few weeks. FSPS will reinstate strong restrictions and modify this communication if the number of COVID cases begins to trend upward in the weeks before graduation.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PLANS: In the event of inclement weather on May 20 or 21, Class of 2021 seniors will graduate at the Stubblefield Center on the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith campus. Specific details regarding these ceremonies will be determined by available seating capacity guidelines.
Prom 2021
Current COVID conditions will allow Northside and Southside High School to host prom events for their schools. Students will be required to wear face-coverings and other safety measures will be in place. Per current conditions, students will be allowed to dance at the event. As prom is an optional event, students and their families can determine their comfort level in participating. More information will be provided on these prom events as plans are finalized in the coming weeks.