Broomfield High School`s class of 2011 might give new meaning to the term early graduation, with its commencement ceremony scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. May 21.
The ceremony`s time was announced in mid-December with little public outcry from either students or parents. Graduation has traditionally been at 9 a.m. the Saturday before the last day of school, according to BHS officials, but was changed to 8 p.m. last year to accommodate spring sports championships. Officials are citing that same reason for the early ceremony this year.
The 7:30 a.m. time was selected by a commencement committee of administrators and counselors to accommodate all of the Colorado High School Activities Association post-season sporting events also happening May 21. Those events include the boys` state swimming finals, state track and field finals, regional baseball and semi-final girls` soccer. The girls` soccer game is scheduled the evening of May 21, making an 8 p.m. graduation ceremony impossible this year, Ramsey said.
In the past month, a small but vocal group of parents has raised concerns that the early start time is punitive to students and will make it difficult for friends and family from out of town to attend the ceremony.
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