STURGIS, S.D. – Some parents and students of the Class of 2020 at Sturgis Brown High School are proposing a plan for a formal graduation ceremony later this month.
Most graduations have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A group of parents presented a plan for a formal, outdoor ceremony during a Zoom meeting with Meade 46-1 administrators and a couple of school board members Monday.
As many as 70 video connections were made during Monday’s meeting with both students and parents presenting a brief synopsis on how a more formal ceremony could be held in May.
The Zoom meeting was organized by Sturgis Brown High School Principal Pete Wilson. He had sent an email to senior parents asking them to participate. He wrote, “From this meeting, I hope we can make a recommendation. I know not all will be in agreement, and we understand that but if you want to have input in this meeting, please be available.”
The proposal is to use Woodle Field and set it up in a way that social distancing could still be followed, with the exception of families, who would be in their own areas.
Organizers say there would be an entire football field, several lanes of track and sets of stands that should be able to accomodate all of the seniors and their family members and still maintain the recommended distancing.
They are looking at two possible dates — May 17 or Memorial Day Weekend.
The Meade 46-1 School Board meets Wednesday and a decision is expected to be made about graduation.
Here is a copy of the parents’ letter given to school administrators:
“We, the parents of SBHS Seniors, Class of 2020, collectively propose this idea for graduation.
“Challenging times call for innovative ideas and out-of-the box thinking and planning. Our goal is to create a memorable graduation for the Class of 2020 following the CDC guidelines and allowing the seniors to celebrate their achievements as intended from the beginning of the year – perhaps creating new traditions in the process.
“Location: Woodle Field: being held outdoors will allow for a safer environment than indoors and offer families to celebrate together, perhaps in family pods scattered around the field with the graduates in the center.
“Date: A) May 17 as scheduled. This date is fast approaching and there may be difficulties in this time frame. However, we could accomplish it if we need to. B) Memorial Day Weekend. This would allow more time to get everything in order still allowing time for those who are entering the military or moving to college to also participate.
“With either date and doing this sooner than later, we would still be out of the ‘peak’ timeframe and still allow the majority to be able to participate. Doing it later in the summer we risk both of these.
“Parents are willing to sign waivers to protect SBHS and its administration from any sort of liability of this gathering.
“A map/plan of how we could utilize the Woodle Field to hold graduation is as follows in this diagram (attached). We have an entire football field, several lanes of track and sets of stands that should be able to accommodate all of the seniors and their family members and still maintain the recommended distancing. We would also be able to borrow chairs, locate and move more bleachers if need be. People could also bring their own chairs.
“We would organize in alphabetical order and utilize the parking lot also in alphabetical order.
“Example: you have section ‘A’ parking, ‘A1’, ‘A2’, ‘A3’ and so on then you have seating on the field for the seniors and then seating around the track for the parents designated to match the parking lot numbers, seats ‘A1’, ‘A2’.
“Everyone would have to arrive to the field at a certain time, for example 1 p.m. then 1:03 p.m., use the public address system to call in each family with their senior one group at a time staggering them as they enter the stadium while still maintaining distancing. If you use one hour to get everyone seated that should be plenty of time to get everyone in the stadium to start graduation at 2 p.m.
“You would have each student, who enters with their family then enter into a staggered line to walk in to their seat to the graduation song, when their name is called, they would go to the stage one at a time – stagger them to maintain distancing.
“You would use the same system to exit the stadium.
“Graduation would happen in the traditional fashion with the students walking across the stage receiving their diploma and maintain distancing.
“The graduates may need to be reminded of the guidelines post ceremony. This can be done in the closing but still give them room to celebrate in their traditional way.
“Baccalaureate is also something we would like to see. This could be done prior to or after the graduation ceremony for those who would like to participate.
“There could also be a live video done, as well as, broadcast on the radio for those, who are not able to attend, or for those who chose to stay in their vehicle. Everyone is welcome to wear a mask if it makes them more comfortable, or they do not need to, if that is their choice.
“The scholarships and class awards along with the video could be done in a You-tube video or somehow incorporated in graduation as well. We understand there have been ideas about this mentioned.
“We also have hand washing stations and porta-potties that would be donated.
“The administration has the full support of the parents and other volunteers to accomplish this event. They are willing to sign a waiver, set-up, take-down, mow, park traffic, and whatever else needs done to celebrate in a more traditional atmosphere. Our ultimate goal is to create memories and give closure to the Class of 2020. It would be something memorable and meaningful while following the guidelines. Please consider our proposal,” The Parents of The Class of 2020.
