Dear Class of 2022 Parents/Guardians,
Congratulations to you and your children on their upcoming graduation from high school. You have worked together for many years in anticipation of this day. All of us at school have enjoyed the opportunity to work with you and your children and share in the excitement of graduation.
At our senior retreat on April 5th, the Humanity Launch, Mr. Ruesink, and I spoke with the graduates about graduation and its special significance to them as well as their family, friends, school, and community members. Graduation is a formal occasion and needs to be treated as such in the areas of student dress and behavior. I want to share with you the expectations for dress that I have shared with the students:
Young men should wear trousers, a collared shirt and tie, and dress shoes with socks.
Young women should wear a dress or blouse and slacks with shoes fitting for a formal occasion.
Over the years, students have done very well with following these guidelines. Our staff has received countless positive and appreciative comments from those in attendance at our graduation ceremonies about our students’ dress and behavior. I am certain to hear the same comments this year about your children as well.
The Senior Scholarship Awards Program will be Monday, May 9th at 2:30 pm in the Cossack Center. Please understand that Sioux Valley is not always notified of scholarships; therefore, if your senior is a recipient of a scholarship and would like it announced at the awards program, you must notify Mrs. Jorgenson via email (Monica.Jorgenson@k12.sd.us) or phone (627-5657).
Seniors’ last day of school will be Wednesday, May 11th. All books, fines, athletic uniforms (except golf and track), library, and lunch accounts will be due by 1:30 pm that day. Seniors must be passing all their classes and within 0.5 credits of the mandatory 24 credits to participate in the commencement ceremony. Seniors failing any class and/or not within the 0.5 credits can still earn their diploma by successfully completing their coursework by the final day of school determined by the school board. However, they will unfortunately not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony itself.
Baccalaureate ceremonies will be Wednesday, May 11th at 7:00 pm in the Cossack Center. Seniors should gather in the Commons by 6:45 pm. Local churches are sponsoring this event. Graduates will wear their cap and gown.
Senior breakfast will be Friday, May 13th at 9:00 am in the Commons. Graduates will practice for the commencement ceremony following the senior breakfast. This is for the senior students only and attendance is mandatory.
Graduation is on Saturday, May 14th at 2:00 pm in the Cossack Center. Seniors will need to be in the library by 1:30 pm for pictures. A reception line will occur following the ceremony to congratulate our graduates.
I want to thank you for sharing your senior with us; we will miss them! I consider it an honor and a privilege to have been their principal, and I look forward to hearing about the many successes that surely lie ahead.
With Cossack Pride,
Tyler Bolstad