Graduation Ceremony

Hello SHS Class of 2020 and families –

I apologize for the long delay between messages about graduation. It has been very difficult to balance what we are allowed to do with what we hoped to do and what you have said you would like to do. Updates and guidance has come almost every day, since we sent out the survey, that has impacted what is possible.

We hoped by possibly delaying graduation, we might be able to provide a more traditional ceremony with opportunities for the whole community to celebrate your accomplishments. Unfortunately, there is no indication that will be an option in the forseeable future – not even late summer or fall. Because of the limits on group size, we are too big of a school to hold even a socially distanced ceremony as other schools around us may be able to do. As a result, we have decided that an alternative graduation event near the original date is best. This will allow all or our seniors to participate while they are still in the area.

We want you to know that we appreciate all of the suggestions that many of you have shared with us. We recognize that any event we plan is not going to please everyone, but at this point, there is no alternative available to us that will. We do believe, however, that this will capture the spirit of the day and provide a public recognition and celebration of your hard work and determination.

Ceremony Plan -

In order to accommodate the limits on group gatherings and an outdoor ceremony as required by the state guidelines, a “drive in” graduation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2020 beginning at 7:00 pm.

--ONE car per senior, decorated, will line up in the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center parking lot from 6:45 – 7:00 pm. Led by the Sterling Police Department seniors will process down Broadway to the Sterling High School main parking lot. Spectators may observe the parade along the route, observing city social distancing expectations.

--A “drive-in” virtual ceremony will take place in the parking lot beginning about 7:30 pm. The ceremony will include a welcome from the principal, a recorded speech from the senior class president, recognition of academic achievement, the senior slide show, and the presentation and acceptance of the class. The ceremony will be projected on a large screen with audio available through KPMX. The ceremony may also be viewed on United in Orange Facebook Live.

--Once the class is accepted, seniors will exit the south end of the parking lot, on to Broadway, and then turn on to Bengal Boulevard to drive in front of the school. As the names of the senior class are read, bagged diploma cases will be handed to seniors by board president Dennis Kaan – seniors and board president wearing gloves. A photographer will be on hand to capture conveying of the diploma and those pictures will be provided to all seniors. After seniors receive their diploma case, they will exit on the north end of the parking lot.

--A diploma distribution date will be schedule after June 1. The date and details will come later.

Other Requirements -

--Each senior with chosen family members will be allowed ONE car in the parade and in the parking lot. NO RV’s, limos, large vans, open convertibles are allowed. If you drive a pickup, you must stay in the cab, you may not sit in the back. Please be respectful of your fellow classmates – if you have a larger SUV or pickup, please park toward the back of the parking lot.

--Other vehicles will not be allowed in the parking lot. The ceremony will be available Facebook Live for additional family members.

-- Everyone, other than identified staff, must stay in their vehicles at all times.

--In case of inclement weather, the alternate date for graduation will be Friday, June 5 at 7:00 pm.

Seniors, it is difficult to express the regret we feel at not being able to provide you with the graduation ceremony you were looking forward to when you began this year. It is a disappointing and heartbreaking situation, to say the least. We hope that this ceremony will meet some of your expectations and honor you in the way you deserve.

Mr. Appelhans, Interim Principal

Sterling High School would like the opinion of our seniors and their families on graduation alternatives if a traditional ceremony is not an option due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Please voice your opinion by completing a survey at www.tinyurl.com/2020gradoption to give the district a better understanding of what would be preferred. All survey responses need to be submitted by May 1, 2020.

We want to start out by saying to our seniors that the staff is beyond proud of the hard work every one of you has put into your high school career and preparation for the world of work. We understand your frustration with the impact the COVID-19 Virus has had on your graduation.

You want answers to what graduation will look like for you. However, we can make no decisions until Governor Polis provides us direction on April 26. Until we hear from the Governor, we want you to know the following in regards to graduation:

• Graduation is NOT cancelled at this time.

• We are preparing a senior slideshow.

• Should our graduation ceremony be cancelled, we are open to rescheduling. The rescheduled ceremony must occur before August 1, 2020.

• Changes in graduation plans must be approved by the RE-1 Board of Education