Commencement for the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 2018 will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Black River Coliseum.
For the first time in more than two decades, anyone aged 3 or older must present a ticket upon arrival, according to earlier statements from PBHS Principal Mike Owen.
"Unfortunately, and it's a great problem to have that everyone's involved with our kids, but we just don't have a venue big enough to accommodate these overwhelming crowds," Owen said.
Each graduating senior was given a minimum of eight tickets from a pool of 3,300 earlier this month, he added.
Owen said the decision to implement a ticketing system was made after collaboration between school administrators and the Poplar Bluff Police Dept.
During the district's 2017 graduation ceremony, the Coliseum reportedly had so many attendees it reached the point of standing room only.
Owen added that issues regarding parking and traffic control are a secondary dilemma he hopes tickets will ease.
Doniphan High School switched to a ticketing system last year, Owen said. DHS officials told him its implementation was successful in achieving the intended goals.
Owen said for those who cannot attend Thursday's ceremony, the school district will stream the event live on its Facebook page and on Channel 2 at a later date.
For questions regarding the recent changes to R-1's graduation procedures, call the High School office at 573-785-6471.
Poplar Bluff schools will dismiss for summer break on Friday using a shortened class schedule. The Middle School will release at 11:30 a.m., Junior High at 11:40 a.m., Senior High at 11:45 a.m., Kindergarten Center at 12:30 p.m., and grades 1-3 at 12:45 p.m. Classes will resume Thursday, Aug. 16