Event Info:
Friday, June 24, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Seating is first-come, first-serve. Tickets are not required, and there is no limit to the number of attendees.
At this time, there are no restrictions or limitations regarding COVID. Masks and prior testing are not required, but social distancing is encouraged.
Arrival Times:
Chaperones need to meet outside of the meeting rooms by 4:00 p.m.
Musicians and graduate passengers being transported to the convention center from the High School must be at the HS by 4:15 p.m.
Graduates that are driving must be in their Meeting Rooms at the Convention Center by 5:00 p.m., and graduates need to arrive in their caps and gowns.
BOE, Admin, and other dignitaries should be to Meeting Room 1 by 5:00 p.m. to check in, although early arrival is recommended to avoid traffic and parking issues.
BOE Members and dignitaries may pick up their robes in Meeting Room 1 upon arrival.
For anyone who requires handicap accommodations or seating, doors to the convention center will open at 5:00 p.m., and one additional person will be allowed in with that individual (please see spectator arrival section below).
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for general admission, and seating is first-come, first-serve. Tickets are not required, and there is no limit to the number of attendees.
Parking (see below or click here for a map):
All attendees will park in the V-lot (see map below, formerly known as P-3 North), under the convention center. Please note that the V-lot does have handicap spaces, and V-lot charges $10 per car.
Payment can only be made via credit card at the parking kiosk in the garage, please take the card with you when leaving your car so you can pay at a kiosk.
Visitors may be required to show photo identification upon entry, and all vehicles are subject to search by the State Police.
V-Lot is located beneath the Empire State Plaza and accessed through I-787 Empire State Plaza exit. Exit using the I-787 ramp to the Empire State Plaza, and proceed along the traffic loop under the Plaza, and bear right for V Lot (P-3).
The V-lot elevators are located right near the convention center entrance. The elevators upstairs are circled in red on the convention center map below.
Livestreaming:
The ceremony will also be streamed live on our RCS Youtube channel. Please click here for the link.
Student Arrival, Meeting Rooms, and Gowns:
Upon arrival by 5:00 p.m., students need to check in outside of the meeting rooms.
The Meeting Rooms are near the center of the convention center map below, and Meeting Room 1 has a red “X” and arrow pointing at it. Students, please check-in outside of meeting room 1.
Graduates need to arrive in their caps and gowns. Keep an eye on your tassel – wrap it around the button on the top of your cap a couple of times or it will fall off and disappear on your way to the Convention Center.
There are restrooms near the Meeting Rooms, staff will direct students.
Spectator Arrival:
Families and guests, please report to the Convention Hall, noted in green, circled in blue at the bottom of the convention center map (see below), doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
The elevators to and from the Visitor Parking are circled in red.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for general admission, and seating is first-come, first-serve.
Tickets are not required, and there is no limit to the number of attendees.
For handicap-accessible seating, please meet at the main entrance to the convention center hall at 5:00 p.m., and one additional person will be allowed in with that individual. An individual from the convention center will meet families there to assist in getting them seated.
Photos:
The District will have someone taking photos of the general event, those will be available within a few days. Additionally, someone will be taking photos of the students after they cross the stage, those will be available within the two weeks following graduation. Families and spectators are not allowed to take photos from the floor of the convention center or the stairs leading up to the stage.
Diplomas:
After students cross and exit the stage, they will be met by their guidance counselor. The guidance counselor will give them a packet with their diplomas, a copy of the program, and other certificates.
After the Ceremony:
At the conclusion of our ceremony, families and students will meet up outside of the convention center hall.
Convention Center Map:
