Be safe. Stay Strong. Schools
PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • June 11, 2020
Creek holds drive - through parade for seniors — Grad ceremony planned for July 30 but so far, no audience allowed BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
It didn’t matter that the sun was beating down mercilessly on the hot pavement
“We still plan to hold an in-person ceremony at the Stutler Bowl on July 30th. It will be at 8:00 am to avoid hot weather. At this time, the conditions approved by health officials do not allow for an audience.” – CCHS Principal Ryan Silva at 11:00 a.m. on June 4 when the parade was scheduled to begin. Teachers, counselors, administrators, and dozens of staff members came decked out in everything from oversized aluminum-foil hair bows to tutus in Cherry Creek High School (CCHS) colors. They were all there to show their love and support for the graduates who missed their last quarter of high school and the gradu-
ation ceremony with family and friends that should have followed. CCHS Principal Ryan Silva told us how the idea came about. “We talked about the parade idea collectively as high school principals in the Cherry Creek School District. All of us have worked hard to celebrate and honor our seniors during this challenging time. The parade seemed like another way to let this group of seniors know we care about them and we are proud of them,” he said. Silva gave all the credit to Krista Keogh, CCHS activities director, saying “She made all of the magic happen by planning a great day.” Silva added, “We still plan to hold an in-person ceremony at the Stutler Bowl on July 30th. It will be at 8:00 am to avoid hot weather. At this time, the conditions approved by health officials do not allow for an audience.” Keogh said, “When we realized that there might not be a graduation ceremony, we tried to get creative about ways in which we could still give the kids their diplomas in a celebratory way. We saw kids in the community having birthday party “drive-by parades” and the idea for a parade with the high school kids was born. Even though we are all having ceremonies at the end of the summer, the kids already have their diplomas in hand and have technically “graduated” from Cherry Creek.” We asked Abby Malloy, who was CCHS student body president this past year and is headed to Texas Christian University (TCU) to study business, Spanish, and leadership how she felt about the parade and the events of the past few months. Abby said, “The senior parade at CCHS was so special and sweet. Parents, teachers, and faculty came together to make the seniors feel so celebrated and loved during this unprecedented time. The last few months were challenging to finish off our 13 years of educa-
tion on a computer screen. Not only was it difficult to put in the work, but more so, it was sad to see our high school careers end this way. Despite the chaos, the community came together in a way that I’ve never seen before to make the 2020 graduates feel known, loved, and celebrated. Personally, I’m most looking forward to the return to normalcy in my future academic endeavors at TCU. Through this time, I have learned the true value of my education and the privilege it is to spend time with my best friends. The end of my senior year was far from ideal, but I’m so thankful for my friends and family who made this time so sweet.” Will Holst, headed to University of Texas-Austin as a pre-med major, described
“When we realized that there might not be a graduation ceremony, we tried to get creative about ways in which we could still give the kids their diplomas in a celebratory way. – CCHS Activities Director Krista Keogh
Update on fall planning for Cherry Creek Schools BY FREDA MIKLIN GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
In a June 5 release of information by the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) about plans for the upcoming school year, planned to begin on August 17, it was announced that:
Full-time Online Learning
Full-time online learning is available for all students who want to use that option. Cherry Creek Elevation is already in place and available for grades six through 12 (it was only offered for high school last school year). A new online elementary school program is now read and available for kindergarten through fifth grade for any family who chooses to use it.
Elementary School (Grades K-5)
CCSD is preparing a plan for elementary school to maximize the number of students who may attend on a daily basis. The already small class size (generally limited to 23 for the lower grades) and the fact that students don’t change classrooms as frequently as do those in middle and high school allows CCSD to approach elementary planning differently.
the past few months as “one of the oddest experiences I’ve ever been a part of. As a Cherry Creek senior, I had been anticipating quite a few things this spring such as graduation, prom, a senior trip, and many more activities that were eventually cancelled. Many of those things were replaced with online classes, constant fear about contracting a virus, and the inability to connect with longtime peers face to face.” To stay positive, he told us he used the time to “spend quality time with an older brother that I would normally only see for 1-2 weeks a year.” It also gave him “the unique opportunity to pursue new activities. To name a few, I started an investment account to learn more about the
Middle and High School (Grades 6-12)
If the state board of education and public health requirements allow in-person learning with physical distancing, students can choose this model in which students go to school for in-person learning two days a week, and have three days a week of at-home asynchronous (no live teacher) learning. Schools will be ready to shift to full-time in person learning whenever the state and public health authorities give the goahead. Alternatively, they may have to shift to full remote learning should they be directed to do so by the state or health authorities. CCSD noted that it is aware of statements Governor Polis has made regarding returning to school (he said he hopes that schools will be able to operate as they always have by the fall), however they have not received any official communication from the state board of education or local health authorities directing them to do so. This continues to be a fluid situation. The latest available information can always be found on cherrycreekschools.org/ planningforward. Fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
stock market and its trends, began a masterclass in creating a great LinkedIn profile, and established a weekly golf match with three of my close friends. Staying positive was a bit tough at times but having these activities established a schedule that allowed me to feel a bit more normal.” Looking ahead, Will told us, “For me, what comes next will be four years at the University of Texas at Austin. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to study biology at a major research institution in hopes of one day applying to medical school. The autonomy that comes with the college experience is something that I look forward to immensely.” Fmiklin.villager@gmail. com
