The in-person graduation ceremony originally scheduled for July 16 has moved online, SMSD stated in a letter to families July 6.

The district had planned to hold in-person graduation for all seven SM high schools July 14, 15 and 16, restricting the number of attendees and enforcing social distancing guidelines. However, SMSD cites an increasing number of COVID-19 cases and advice from state and county health officials as the reason for the cancellation.

The district will instead broadcast a pre-recorded video ceremony on a scheduled date and time for each school. A link to the broadcast will be posted on the district website the day of each ceremony, and a link to download the video will be sent out to families of 2020 graduates. Northwest’s virtual graduation ceremony will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on July 16.

In response to the cancellation, seniors and their families have planned their own graduation events independently of the district. Parents on Facebook organized a get-together for seniors at 6:30 p.m. on July 16 on the NW football field. Seniors will wear their cap and gown and turn their tassels together at 7 p.m. Families have also organized a watch party for the graduation broadcast at Boulevard Drive-In, with an entry fee of five dollars per car. Families are asked to wear masks when out of their vehicles. The gates will open at 8 p.m. and the broadcast will begin at 9 p.m.