Swampscott High Graduation Moved Indoors

This information was provided by Swampscott Principal Layne Millington.

Despite our highest hopes to hold graduation at Blocksidge Field, the weather is just not on our side.  The forecast for Sunday as of this writing is for showers, 10-15 mph winds and 25-30 mph wind gusts.  This in addition to a forecasted 1.5 – 2.0 inches of rain between tonight and Sunday morning which will leave the field in a bog-like state.  One computer models shows a possible rain free window for an hour or so at graduation time, but the field will be a swamp even if that model bears out and humidity will still be near 100%.
Graduation therefore will be held in the field house at the high school.  Seating in the field house is limited, so some basic etiquette will need to be followed to ensure that the families of the graduates are able to participate fully in the event:

• Seating within the field house is limited to four guests for each graduate.

Since we do not have time to effectively generate and distribute tickets, folks are on their honor to abide by this protocol.
The auditorium will be available for overflow seating.  The Swampscott Technical Department is working overtime to run CATV cables to enable a live broadcast of the event to be shown on the big screen.
I cannot understate the immensity of the work required to prepare the field house and high school for this event – it is not possible to delay the call any longer in the hopes that the weather forecast will change and still be able to effectively set-up for graduation.  Is it possible for the weather to change in the interim?  Yes, it is.  Am I willing to gamble on an event that is of this magnitude of importance to our students and their families when the forecasted odds are stacked this heavily against us?  No, I’m not.  Further, should the weather forecast change on Saturday, we will not be able to change our minds due to the amount of work and people involved in event.
Parking is available at the high school.  Overflow parking has been provided by Columbia Pictures who have rented the parking lot at 55 Atlantic Avenue, The Temple Shirat Hayam.  Shuttle busses will ferry folks back and forth between the hours of 10:45 am and 4 pm.
This was not an easy decision to make, and I myself would prefer to be outside, but I would ask for your support to make this a successful and joyous day for our seniors and their families regardless of the weather.
Seniors should arrive at the high school by 11:30 am and the main event will still begin at 1:00 PM.
Sincerely,
Layne W. Millington