SD high schools limit places for graduation, some will need masks
Last spring, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Sioux Falls schools to hold a virtual graduation ceremony for seniors first, then an in-person and socially distant ceremony later this summer, with graduates seated in folding chairs 6 feet away on a soccer field.
This year, however, despite the ongoing pandemic, Sioux Falls is bringing back the startup in person, with limited audience sizes, mask requirements, and social distancing included.
After:Almost all college graduates in South Dakota will have limited attendance, masks required
Other schools in the area also offer a live broadcast of the start for graduates, family and friends who cannot attend in person.
Here’s a look at starting high schools in Southeast South Dakota:
Sioux Falls
- Where and when? May 30 at Sioux Falls Arena, with New Tech High at 11 a.m., Washington High at 1 p.m., Lincoln High at 4 p.m. and Roosevelt High at 7 p.m.
- In person or live? In person with live broadcasts available for each school. Masks and social distancing are expected.
- How many graduates? New Tech has 67, Washington 452, Lincoln 464, and Roosevelt 557.
- How many can attend? The district has asked students to limit the number of guests to six people per graduate.
After:Sioux Falls prepares to graduate first-class Spanish immersion students this spring
Baltic
- Where and when? May 15 at 2 p.m. at Baltic High
- In person or live? In person, with highly recommended masks and social distancing “as much as possible,” Superintendent Bob Sittig said.
- How many graduates? 38 seniors graduate.
- How many can attend? Each graduate will receive eight tickets. Baltic High School students and staff can participate without a ticket.
Brandon Valley
- Where and when? May 16 at 2 p.m. at the Brandon Valley High School activity center
- In person or live? In person and broadcast on the District YouTube channel and Alliance Lynx TV channel. Masks are recommended and social distancing is encouraged where possible.
- How many graduates? About 300 seniors, said Superintendent Jarod Larson.
- How many can attend? Each graduate will receive four tickets to the event. Additional tickets may be requested for immediate family only, if the graduate’s immediate family consists of more than four people.
Canton
- Where and when? May 15 at 11 a.m. at the Cantonese Performing Arts Center.
- In person or live? In person with live streaming available. Masks are mandatory.
- How many graduates? 51 students indicated they would walk early, said Superintendent Terry Gerber.
- How many can attend? Each graduate will receive 10 tickets. Seats for families will be allocated to help with social distancing. The Performing Arts Center has 1,000 seats.
After:Southeast Tech to host double graduation ceremony with Thune, Johnson as keynote speakers
Dell rapids
- Where and when? May 15 at 2 p.m. at the Dell Rapids High School gymnasium.
- In person or live? In person. Superintendent Summer Schultz said mitigation practices are still being decided and the district currently has a mask mandate.
- How many graduates? 70 seniors graduate and walk early.
- How many can attend? The district is planning an open ceremony with a mask requirement.
Garretson
- Where and when? May 20 at 1 p.m. at Garretson Gymnasium, “assuming we continue on the same COVID-19 trajectory,” Superintendent Guy Johnson said.
- In person or live? In person, with highly recommended masks.
- How many graduates? 47 seniors are graduating this spring.
- How many can attend? There is no ticket requirement.
Harrisburg
- Where and when? May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Sioux Falls arena
- In person or live? In person, with live streaming available. The district is still in the process of determining mask and seating requirements.
- How many graduates? The senior class has 285 students.
- How many can attend? The district is still in the process of determining how many guests can attend per graduate.
Tea
- Where and when? May 22 at 2 p.m. at the Tea Area High School Gymnasium.
- In person or live? In person with live streaming available. Masks and social distancing are necessary “where possible,†Superintendent Jennifer Lowery said. The graduates will be housed remotely so that they can take photos without a mask.
- How many graduates? 112 seniors will graduate, 111 of whom will choose to walk upon graduation.
- How many can attend? Graduates receive 10 tickets, then on request to work with individuals and families in regards to available space.
After:Harrisburg schools extend mask term by two weeks
Tri-Valley
- Where and when? May 15 at 2 p.m. at Tri-Valley High School gymnasium
- In person or live? In person with live streaming available. The neighborhood won’t need masks, but Superintendent Mike Lodmel said people will distance themselves as much socially as possible.
- How many graduates? 70 seniors are graduating this spring.
- How many can attend? Each graduate will receive six tickets to allow family and friends to attend the graduation ceremony. Families will be seated with their families, and each family will have assigned seats.