AIPAC and Indian Education Department will be hosting an honorary ceremony to recognize the American Indian/Alaskan Native students that have achieved their High School graduation for the 2019-20 academic year. Join the FaceBook group - Virtual Indigenous Commencement by adding in a picture! #NativeGrad2020

IEO and AIPAC are working closely with CHS to determine the best and safest way to honor our Senior students during this time. IEO will be sending out emails to both IEO Seniors and their parents/guardians as ongoing updates about Honoring Ceremony. All CHS senior students are highly encouraged to stay connected to their student email for upcoming CHS Senior zoom meetings and CHS Commencement updates. In respect of traditional Honoring Ceremony we have set a tentative date of Saturday, August 1, 2020 for in-person Honoring.

Graduation participation form (due to IEO by/before April 1, 2020)

Senior Letter

If any parent/guardian or graduating Senior would like to help make arrangements and participate in the planning of this special ceremony, please plan to attend the following planning committee meetings at Central High School Student Services Department room B154. Meeting dates:

• Monday, March 30th at CHS starting at 6pm.

• Stay connected with planning committee updates with the IEO REMIND APP. See directions here

The honoring ceremony is an opportunity to recognize the achievement of our graduating Native American students. AIPAC and the Indian Education Department ask that each family and Senior consider their resources, connections and talents and welcome the opportunity to have these as a contribution to the ceremony. Limited funding is available and we would like to continue this honoring ceremony tradition for our graduating Seniors. If you would like to contribute to the honoring ceremony, please contact the Indian Education office at 725-8116 or karlie.cooper@k12.sd.us.

Examples of donations & gifts:
Time – planning committee participation, Set-up, clean-up
Financial – used towards food, star quilts, decorations
Food Prep – Making of Indian Fry Bread, cake baking/decorating
Connections – provide contact of vendor or person willing to support specific area of ceremony

AIPAC and the Indian Education Department presents each Native American graduating senior with a Star Quilt as recognition of their High School completion. Each family is given the option to present their child with a family Star Quilt instead of this gifted quilt from AIPAC/Indian Education. The Indian Education staff will need to be informed of which Star Quilt will be presented to your child prior to February 1, 2020. You can submit this decision to the Indian Education Department by calling 725-8116, emailing karlie.cooper@k12.sd.usor