With the addition of the new synthetic turf athletic field, graduation exercises will take place in Cruiser Stadium. Having graduation “at home” was a time-honored tradition for many years at Groveport Madison High School.
GRADUATION DATE AND TIME
This year’s graduation will take place on Friday, May 25, beginning at 7 p.m. The gates will be opened for public seating at 5 p.m.
RAIN DATES
In the event of rain or other inclement weather conditions, the graduation rain date will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 26. If the weather conditions have not improved by that time, we will move graduation to 7 p.m. on Saturday evening.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC
General Parking [see the Graduation Parking Options Map for the locations)When taking into account the high school’s property, Eastland Fairfield Career Center, and the Groveport Madison Schools District Service Center property, there are seven parking lots (including one handicap-only parking area) conveniently located to accommodate those attending graduation exercises.
Handicapped Parking [see the Graduation Parking Options Map for the location)Parking for individuals with disabilities or other impairments is available immediately north of the stadium. The handicapped parking area is accessible only through the District Service Center property, located at 4400 Marketing Place. Guests can access the District Service Center site via Williams Road or Directors Blvd.
NOTE: Handicapped entrances to the venue are located at the northeast and northwest corners of the stadium, immediately adjacent to the handicapped-accessible parking lot.
If you do not already have a state-issued handicapped parking pass, you may request a District-issued temporary parking pass from the Guidance Office.
Graduate Parking [see the Graduation Parking Options Map for the location and directions)Graduates are to park in north parking lot, immediately adjacent to the new high school building.
GRADUATE CHECK-IN
The students will be staged in the auxiliary gymnasium of the new high school. They should follow the signs to the north door of the new building (adjacent to the north parking lot). Please note, no one other than the graduates will be permitted to enter the new high school building.
Seating for graduates and staff will be set up on the field, facing north. A stage will be erected in front of the north end zone. [see field mock-up]
EVENT SET-UP & SEATING
Graduate Seating
Students will be escorted from the new high school, through the main entrance of Cruiser Stadium, where they will enter the south side of the football field. Then, they will walk toward the stage, along the home sideline. Graduates will be seated on the football field, facing north toward the scoreboard. The graduates will be seated in alphabetical order, as determined by the staff member which they have chosen to be their greeter.
Family and Guest Seating
Families and guests may choose to be seated in the bleachers, on either the home or away side of the stadium. There are no tickets required, nor will there be reserved seating.
Handicapped-Accessible Seating
Seating for people with disabilities will be located on the away side of the field. The disabled individual may have one escort accompany and stay with him/her in the designated handicapped accessible seating area. A handicapped-accessible seating ticket and parking pass is available from the Guidance Office.
SAFEY AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
Field Access
No one other than the graduates, high school staff members, and those with handicap access passes are permitted on the football field before or during the graduation exercises.
Bleacher Walkways, Railings and Steps
For safety reasons, no will be permitted to stop or stand along the walkway or railings of the bleachers, nor will guests be permitted to sit on the bleacher steps.
Photography and Videography
Guests should remain where they are seated when taking photographs and/or video. No photographs nor video may be taken along the front walkway or along the bleacher railing. Guests may want to take advantage of the new digital scoreboard, which will display live images of the graduates as they wall across the stage to receive their diploma.
Footwear
Graduates may wear “heels” when walking on the artificial turf, but to avoid an embarrassing and/or potentially injurious fall, students are strongly discouraged from wearing “stiletto-styled” heels when walking on the synthetic turf.
CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT
Maintaining Proper Hydration
To ensure guests remain healthy and comfortable, water may be purchased at the concession stand.
Public Restroom Facilities
Restrooms will be available at the main gate/concession building.