Dear Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2020,
I hope this finds you and your loved ones doing well and enjoying this beautiful Colorado weather.
As promised, the following is an update on the Douglas County School District’s (DCSD’s) plans for graduation ceremonies.
Yesterday, I participated in a conference call with Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon, DCSD Board President David Ray, representatives from the Tri-County Health Department, and other Douglas County staff to discuss possibilities for our graduation ceremonies. During this call (and based on previous collaboration with our high school principals), we advocated for outdoor, in-person graduation ceremonies at DCSD athletic stadiums for our nine neighborhood high schools, two alternative high schools, as well as eDCSD. We proposed a modified version of an in-person, traditional commencement event with a limited number of family members in attendance, and specific guidelines for ensuring the safety and health of all those involved (e.g. social distancing, face coverings, strict procedures for graduate behavior, management of crowd and traffic flow, etc.).
Commissioner Laydon and the Tri-County Health Department were very supportive of the plan, and a variance application will be submitted in support of allowing this plan to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment early next week. It is anticipated that it will take at least a week before it is approved, modified, or denied. We will keep you updated on the status of the requested variance.
If approved, we will move forward with graduation ceremonies the week of June 23, and high school principals will follow up with specific details. If not approved, contingency plans will be made known as soon as possible.
Our DCSD Class of 2020 graduates have worked for their graduation moment over the past 13 years and deserve to be celebrated. I’ve been so impressed with the positivity and maturity displayed by our seniors in spite of the many obstacles and challenges that have occurred due to this pandemic. Persevering through this unusual time is a significant testimony that they are resilient and ready for postsecondary life.
I thank you for your continued support of the Douglas County School District. Should you need to reach me, please do not hesitate to call or email.
Proud to serve as your Superintendent,
Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Douglas County School District