Graduation will take place on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the MVP Arena on South Pearl Street in Albany. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 pm.
All students are asked to arrive no later than 5:15 pm and assemble in the area of the arena known as “Exhibition Hall” in order to have attendance taken and to be placed in proper procession order as rehearsed earlier. Students may be dropped off and enter the arena at the Beaver Street Entrance, they may also enter through the main entrance, or from level three of the parking garage.
Parking is available in the arena parking garage and on several offsite lots located nearby the arena. We ask that you take into account that traffic will be heavy at that hour of the day and to please plan accordingly to arrive in plenty of time.
Admission is free of charge and open to the public. There is ample seating available inside the arena. Therefore, tickets will not be needed for admission. The arena staff is in charge of security and we ask that you abide by the arena’s security policy found on their website.
The ceremony will be live streamed and it will be made available later on the Niskayuna YouTube channel. The link to the live stream which will become active just prior to the beginning of the ceremony is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMmWigXMA3E.
We will also have American Sign Language Interpreters on site for the hearing impaired. Photographers from Genesee Photos will be taking photos of each graduate. Families will receive information on how to purchase these photos. The information will be included in the envelope that each graduate receives on Rehearsal Day, June 24th .
Handicap Assistance Information:
- There are numerous handicap platforms on the Concourse Level that are designed to accommodate patrons in wheelchairs and their family members. These platforms are accessible by elevators at or near each of the entrance areas. If you are parking in the MVP Parking Garage, Level 3 of the garage leads directly to the Concourse Level.
- Patrons who have difficulty walking very long distances may be dropped off in the Corporate Lot on Market Street. This is just to the South of the Arena’s Main Entrance. Parking is not allowed in this lot, but patrons may be dropped off. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS OPTION, PLEASE REQUEST A “DROP OFF PASS” FROM MR. BIANCHI via email at vbianchi@niskyschools.org This pass must be presented to the Security Guard at that lot. The pass will be included in the envelope given to graduates on rehearsal day when cap and gowns are to be distributed. It should be noted that there is still a considerable amount of walking required. Families may want to consider using the live stream option for elderly members of their family.
- Patrons are urged to seek out a member of the MVP Arena Security Staff if you seek wheelchair assistance or directions to elevators.
- Concession Stands will NOT be available at this event.
Rehearsal Day:
Rehearsal Day is Monday, June 24, 2024. It will take place in the high school auditorium and begin at 8:30 am. It lasts about two hours. We will distribute cap and gown units, gold tassels for honor society members and important informational items immediately following the rehearsal. Students can expect to be done by 11:30 am.
ATTENDANCE AT REHEARSAL IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE PLACE THIS DATE AND TIME ON YOUR CALENDAR. IF A STUDENT CANNOT ATTEND REHEARSAL BECAUSE OF A VERY SIGNIFICANT REASON, PLEASE NOTIFY MR. BIANCHI IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE CAN MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.
Also, please note that we cannot distribute cap and gowns and other graduation materials until your student has completed any detention obligations, returned all textbooks, IT materials and library materials to the proper department. If you have further questions, you may contact Vince Bianchi by email or phone at 518-382-2511 ext. 21759.