Dear Stillwater Class of 2020 Families,

I know you are wondering about this year’s graduation ceremony and the events that we have planned for our seniors. We are all deeply saddened by the fact that the Class of 2020 has already missed out on many events that they have looked forward to for years. Please know that we are doing whatever we can to make sure the Class of 2020 has as many senior experiences as possible, given the current public health crisis.

At this time, non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size, for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed. This is a directive from Governor Cuomo that is unfortunately out of our control. 

Given the number of unknowns at this time, we are proactively working on a virtual graduation ceremony for June 27, with the opportunity for students to drive through the bus circle on the same day to receive their diploma. This option is being planned just in case an in-person ceremony is prohibited. We did not want June 27, the date that has been marked on calendars for a year, to come and go without having our seniors receive their diplomas that day and be recognized. More details on the logistics of this event will be shared at a later date.

We realize there is no substitute for an in-person graduation ceremony. We all know that graduation is an important milestone for every student and we know how much the students and their families have looked forward to that day. 

We are not giving up hope that the governor could loosen the current guidelines/restrictions and then we could have some form of an in-person ceremony in June. If restrictions are loosened and an in-person ceremony can take place, the district would welcome a traditional graduation. With this in mind, please know that we are also organizing a potential in-person ceremony that would take place on our turf field or at the Saratoga City Center. 

The health and safety of our families is our number one priority and we would not want an event hosted by the district to impact anyone’s well-being. We assure you that we will keep an eye on the governor’s executive orders and we will keep everyone up to date as more information becomes available.

It is our hope that we will be able to eventually celebrate our seniors in-person because that is what they deserve. I know this is a stressful, difficult and upsetting time for everyone, but especially for families with seniors. Please know, I think of the Class of 2020 every single day and I would love nothing more than to provide them with a memorable graduation ceremony.

Sincerely,

Patricia Morris
Superintendent of Schools