The safety of our Haywood County Schools students, families, and staff is paramount to our operations. Superintendent Marsh and the executive leadership team have been closely monitoring the weather conditions to ensure our graduating seniors have a commencement ceremony that honors their achievements despite possible inclement weather. According to the latest projections from the National Weather Service, there is a significant chance for thunderstorms and showers beginning the evening of May 19th through the afternoon of May 20th. As such, the commencement exercises for the Class of 2023 will be held in the Haywood High School Gymnasium at 10:00 a.m. on May 20, 2023 and we will follow our longstanding inclement weather plan which allows for five attendees per graduate.

Please note the following:

• Only attendees with purple tickets will be allowed entry into the ceremony beginning at 8:45 a.m. and doors will close promptly at 9:50 a.m. Doors will reopen after the graduation processional has ended. White tickets will not be accepted.
• Attendees will be granted access to the facility through the main office entrance and the bus rider entrance.
• All attendees will be subject to security protocols.
• Due to limited seating capacity, small clutches are preferred (oversized bags will not be permitted).
• Once attendees exit the building, no re-entry will be allowed.