For years it has been a tradition for Turlock and Pitman high schools to hold their graduation ceremonies on the same day, leaving friends, family, and school district staff to race against time and traffic to attend both events, but this year the schools will break from tradition.

The Turlock Unified School District polished the 2013 graduation and promotion schedule, adding significant changes to accommodate friends and families of the graduates — and make getting around Turlock easier during graduation week.

 Pitman High School will celebrate its graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. at the Pitman Amphitheatre, while Turlock High will host its ceremony on Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at Joe Debely Stadium.

“The TUSD is very pleased with the changes made for next year’s promotion and graduation ceremonies,” said Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Lacrisha Ferriera.  “These changes were necessary to accommodate the families of the graduates.  There are some parents that have their children attending both schools and it is merely impossible to go to both of them when you have them on the same day.  This new plan is effective and equitable.”   

Turlock Adult School has also undergone a significant change in its graduation schedule.  Students will graduate before the last week of school on Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Auditorium.

“In the past years, students from Turlock Adult School would have to wait a week after school was over to walk on their graduation ceremony,” added Ferriera.  “This new schedule makes better sense for them and their family members.  We also changed the time to 7:30 so it gives the students’ parents enough time to get out of work to attend the ceremony.”

TUSD is no stranger when it comes to change.  Just two years ago, Turlock Junior High split their promotion into four separate ceremonies.  This year, it’s no different.  TJHS Cheetahs will celebrate their promotion on Thursday, May 30, at 12:45 p.m. at the TJHS Auditorium.  The TJHS Bengals will have their promotion the same day at 3:30 p.m.  On Friday, May 31, the TJHS Cougars will walk at 12:45 p.m. and the Panthers later that day at 3:30 p.m.

“Four different promotion ceremonies means four times the number of students participating in this joyous event,” said Ferriera.  “This adds to more student involvement and more proud parents on the stands.”