The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) community is rallying around SAUSD high school graduates in multiple ways during the month of May to show support for the SAUSD Class of 2020, even in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Out of concern for the health and safety of students, families and staff, the District has canceled all on-campus instruction through the end of the 2019-20 school year, and has also canceled all end of the year activities, including traditional high school commencement ceremonies.
The District is also not allowing any in-person gatherings at school sites to protect the health and safety of the community. These decisions were not taken lightly, and involved consultation with local, county and state health experts and government leaders.
But just as the District shifted its attention from teaching in physical classrooms to delivering instruction through other methods through the end of the school year, it is also turning to other innovative ways to honor this year’s graduates.
As a District, SAUSD this week launched a new multifaceted campaign honoring the SAUSD Class of 2020 by blanketing the community with thousands of physical and digital tributes.
These include:
- Billboards in locations across the City of Santa Ana honoring the SAUSD Class of 2020
- Lawn signs recognizing the SAUSD Class of 2020 to be placed at homes and businesses
- Posters recognizing the SAUSD Class of 2020 to be placed at homes and businesses
- Banners recognizing the SAUSD Class of 2020 to be displayed at local businesses
- SAUSD Class of 2020 banners to be displayed proudly outside each SAUSD high school
The District is also working to replace its existing 170 street pole banners at locations across the City of Santa Ana with new banners highlighting SAUSD Valedictorians and Salutatorians.
Recently, SAUSD launched the #SAUSDClassof2020 social media campaign featuring graduate profiles, college acceptance stories, inspirational messages to students, and the names and photos of the District’s Top 100 scholars.
For a personalized touch, all SAUSD graduates will also receive a card signed by the Board of Education and Superintendent Jerry Almendarez, along with a poster recognizing the SAUSD Class of 2020 to hang outside their homes.
Community support for the SAUSD Class of 2020 campaign has been swift and widespread. The District has received more than 900 requests for lawn signs, posters and banners recognizing the SAUSD Class of 2020 from residents, parents, business owners, community members and local partner agencies.
To honor the unique spirit and values of each campus, school administrators are creating specialized celebrations to recognize their Class of 2020. All high schools are working on video celebrations featuring senior names and photos, remarks by school administrators and student speakers, and messages from the Board of Education and Superintendent Jerry Almendarez.
Virtual graduation videos will be live streamed at the following times on Spectrum Channel 31, AT&T Channel 99, on SAUSD’s YouTube channel and on www.sausd.us.
Virtual Graduation Video Schedule
May 26, 2020
5 p.m. Godinez Fundamental High School
7 p.m. Century High School
May 27, 2020
5 p.m. Segerstrom High School
7 p.m. Santa Ana Valley High School
May 28, 2020
5 p.m. REACH Academy
7 p.m. Santa Ana High School
May 29, 2020
7 p.m. Saddleback High School
June 2, 2020
5 p.m. Chavez High School
7 p.m. Middle College High School
June 3, 2020
2 p.m. Lorin Griset Academy
The community is encouraged to follow SAUSD high schools and the District on social media, and to visit a special graduation landing page at www.sausd.us/Classof2020 for more information.
