South Whidbey High School

The Senior Letter Newsletter~~ ,"~ ••••••I

~~F March 7, 2014

Our Mission: ''Inpdrtnership with our community, we are deeply committed to provide our students with the besteducational experience, preparing them to become capable, creative, caring, and responsible citizens.

Information for Seniors, Parentsand Guardians ...This newsletter is written to keep seniors, parents,and guardians informed during this hectic fmal se-mester. Keep this newsletter for future reference.

Graduation is a very special occasion and a memora-ble experience. We hope everyone is looking for-ward to the event.

The South Whidbey High School CommencementCeremony will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014,at noon in the main gym. We look forward to thisspecial day for all of our graduating seniors and theirfamilies.

The Senior Local Scholarship Awards Ceremonywill take place on Thursday, May, 29, 2014, in theAuditorium at 7:00 p.m. Seniors receiving scholar-ships will be notified in advance of the ceremony byStudent Services.

We remind you that each senior must meet require-ments for graduation in order to participate in theCommencement Ceremony. All fines must be paidbefore a student may participate in Commencement.Every effort is being made by our counselors andteachers to keep you informed of current grades andcredit status. However, the ultimate responsibilityfor passing each class and achieving the requirednumber of credits lies with the individual student.

Seniors enrolled in online and correspondencecourses outside of SWHS must submit their final testresults no later than Friday, May 16,2014, in orderto receive credit needed. If you have questions, con-tact your student's counselor, specific teacher, or theprincipal. It is the student's responsibility to requestthat the course provider mail an official document tothe Registrar, Ms. Bitts, stating the grade and creditearned no later than Friday, May 30, 2014.

The Commencement Ceremony ...

Seniors report to the auxiliary gym at 11:00 a.m.on the morning of graduation. Don't forget your cap,gown and tassel! Commencement is a formal cere-mony. In keeping with the dignity that your gradua-tion ceremony deserves, we expect appropriate attireto be worn under gowns. Ladies, dress or skirt/dress, pants and blouse. (Be cautious of high heeledshoes if you aren't accustomed to them.) Gentlemen,attire such as full-length slacks or casual pants, andshirts with a collar.

The following are some things to remember so thatyour graduation ceremony is a reflection of yourawareness, maturity, and good taste:

a. Mortarboards (caps) were designed to be wornwith the "board" (flat of the cap) PARALLEL tothe floor. The points go in the front and theback. The hat may flatten your hair for a coupleof hours, but the caps and gowns are a traditionaldesign, hundreds of years old, and universallyrecognized as a symbol of education. Pleasewear them correctly. (Don't forget bobby pins tohold them in place if your hairstyle is such thatthe cap may easily fall off or will not stay inplace.)

b. DO NOT USE A HOT IRON when pressingyour gown as the material scorches easily!

c. Please deliver flowers and/or ~gifts to students AFTER #'graduation.

d. Remember this is a FORMAL Jf-CEREMONY in which the school presents youto the community. The CELEBRATION comesafterwards.

1

Senior Check List - 2014

Date Event Time Location ContactApril 23 Distribution of Graduation During Lunch (Early New Commons National Achiever Services

Announcements Release Day) tel. (800) 800 4083April 30 South Whidbey Record Graduation Issue Photo Submission ASB Office, Mrs. Bilyeu, ext. 5423

Yearbook Mr. Greene, ext. 5127Mayl Senior Slide Show Picture 2:30p.m. Hard Copies to Mrs. Bennett, ext. 5101

Deadline Student Services e-mail digital pictures to:swzradslideshowriilsmail.com

May 9 Musical Performance Audition 2:30 p.m. ASB Office Mr. Patton, ext, 5406Sign-Up Deadline Mr. Harshman, ext. 5355

Mrs. Ludtke, ext. 5403MayTBA Musical Auditions TBA Little Theatre Mr. Patton, Mr. Harshman & Mrs.

LudtkeMaylO Junior/Senior Prom 8:00 -11:00 p.m. Useless Bay Golf Mrs. Huffman, tel. (360) 969-1412

& Country ClubMayl6 Online & Correspondence Course Outside of SWHS Student Services Mrs. Bitts, ext. 5411

Completion DeadlineMay 29 Senior Scholarship Night 7:00p.m. Auditorium Mrs. Brown, ext. 5413May 30 Walking Partners Sign-Up 2:30p.m. ASB Office Mrs. Bilyeu

DeadlineJune 2 Senior Finals 3A Regular ClassroomJune 3 Senior Finals 3,3B&4 Regular ClassroomJune 3 Distribution of Senior Clearance Period 3/3B Regular Classroom Mrs. Hagerman, ext. 5405

Check Out SheetJune 4 Senior Finals 1 & 2 (Early Release Day) Regular ClassroomJune 4 Cap & Gown Distribution Lunch (Early Release Day) New Commons National Achiever ServicesJuneS * MANDATORY * Graduation 9:00 - II :00 a.m. Main Gym Mr. Patton

Farewell Assembly Rehearsal

• Order Form Distribution forSenior Class Photo

JuneS Farewell Assembly 11:50 a.m. Main Gym Mr. Patton, Mrs. Bennett,Mrs. Brown & Mrs. Hagerman

June 6 Senior Continental Breakfast 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Old Commons Mrs. HuffmanJune 6 Fines Deadline/Senior 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Mrs. Bilyeu

Checkout: Mrs. Hagerman• All Fines Must Be Cleared Mrs. Beust, ext. 5218

Library, ASB, Athletics, Fees, Mrs. BittsTextbooks, etc.

• Deadline to Submit SeniorClearance Check Out Sheet

• Graduation Ticket DistributionJune 6 * MANDATORY * Graduation 9:30 a.m. - Noon Main Gym Mr. Patton, Mrs. Bennett

Rehearsal in order toparticipate in Commencement Pictures: Designer Portrait Studio• Senior Class Group Picture 800-521-8282

(Bring your Cap & Gown)• Surplus Ticket Distribution

June 7 • Seniors Gather • 11:00 am. Auxiliary Gym Mr. Patton, Mrs. Bennett

• Seating By Ticket Only • 11:15 a.m.

• Festival Seating (No Ticket, • 11:45 a.m.Until Capacity Met)

June 7 Commencement Noon Main Gym Mr. Patton, Mrs. BennettDesigner Portrait Studio

June 7 Commencement Reception Immediately Following New Commons Mrs. HuffmanCommencement

2 REVISED: March6,2014

TICKET DISTRIBUTIONEach graduating senior will be issued seven (7)

tickets on Friday, June 6, once seniors have paid allfines and turned in their Senior Check Out Sheet toMrs. Hagerman. Tickets will be available in themain office from 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Seniors not need-ing all seven tickets are asked to please return themto Mrs. Hagerman to be distributed to families whoneed more. For those who need extra tickets, a sign-up sheet will be available at the ASBI Athletic Office.No phone calls will be accepted. We will take thenumber of tickets that have been returned and the leftover tickets, and divide them evenly among seniorsrequesting extras. Additional tickets will be distrib-uted after rehearsal on Friday, June 6, at noon.NOTE: LOST OR STOLEN TICKETS WILLNOT BE REPLACED. Entrance to graduation willbe by ticket only. Festival seating (if seats are avail-able) will begin at 11:45 a.m. until the main gym isat capacity as per the Island County Fire Marshall.

CAPS, GOWNS, ANNOUNCEMENTSStudents who have not ordered a cap and gown

may submit a late order and must contact NationalAchiever Services directly at 1-800-800-4083.

A representative from National Achiever Serviceswill be at the High School during lunch onWednesday, April 23, (Early Release Day) todeliver graduation announcements to seniors whoordered them on time. If you do not pick yours up,see Mrs. Hagerman in the main office.

Caps and gowns will be distributed after school onWednesday, June 4, (at 11:15 a.m., Early ReleaseDay), in the New Commons.

REHEARSALS: GRADUATION &FAREWELL ASSEMBLY

* * MANDATORY * *Rehearsals are in the main gym as follows:

~ Thursday, June 5, 9:00 -11:00 a.m.~ Friday, June 6, 9:30 a.m. - Noon

All seniors and Running Start seniors are required toparticipate in the mandatory rehearsals in order toparticipate in Commencement. Attendance will betaken.

A GROUP PICTURE OF THE SENIOR CLASSIN CAP & GOWN WILL BE TAKEN AT THEFRIDAY, JUNE 6, REHEARSAL at 9:30 a.m.Please be sure to bring your cap and gown!

FAREWELL ASSEMBLYThe Farewell Assembly will be held on Thurs-

day, June 5, immediately after graduation rehearsalat 11:50 a.m. in the main gym. Parents are invitedto attend and watch the assembly. Please sign-inat the main office upon arrival to the high school.

STUDENT CONDUCTSeniors are reminded to observe all South Whid-

bey High School/School District Board policies re-garding appropriate student conduct throughout allfinal week activities. Seniors who are in violation ofthese policies are at risk of not participating in thecommencement ceremony.

DIPLOMASThe diploma cover handed out during com-

mencement will not include a diploma. Seniors willreceive their actual diploma in the mail with theirfinal report card and transcript in July.

pHOTOGRAPHSAt rehearsal on Thursday, June 5, you will

receive an order form for purchasing (if you wish) agroup graduation picture. The group picture will betaken at graduation practice on Friday, June 6. Besure to bring your order form, money, and cap andgown on this day.

In addition, individual pictures will be taken at thegraduation ceremony and will be available for pur-chase.

SENIOR LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP NIGHTOn Thursday, May 29, Senior Local

Scholarship Awards presentations will take place at7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Seniors receivingscholarships will be notified in advance of the eve-ning by Student Services.

SOUTH WlllDBEY RECORD PHOTOSIf you did not have a student portrait taken by

Lifetouch at the beginning of the school year, we donot have a photo of your senior to submit to TheSouth Whidbey Record for their "GRADUATIONISSUE." Professional photographs may be used in-stead of the Lifetouch photo. Submit your photo-graph no later than Wednesday, April 30, to Mrs.Bilyeu at the ASB window, or Mr. Greene in Year-book Cigreene@sw.wednet.edu). If you turned in aphoto for the yearbook, that picture will be used.

3

M USICAL PERFORMANCESStudents interested in performing at the fare-

well assembly or graduation must sign-up for audi-tions through the ASB/Athletic Office no later thanFriday, May 9. Audition date to be determined.

YEARBOOKSSeniors, please don't graduate without your

yearbook. The yearbook supply is getting very low;purchase yours now at the ASB window. Yearbooksare $50.00 each. For additional information, youmay contact Mr. Greene and his yearbook classbetween 12:12-12:55 p.m., at 221-6808, ext. 5127.

N0 SENIOR SKIP DAYOur school does not condone, sponsor, or

approve any organized senior skip day and we willfollow through with appropriate disciplinary conse-quences should any senior participate. Parents andguardians can assist by reinforcing with their studentthe importance of being in class and by not allowingstudents to participate in such an activity.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTSMost colleges, universities, and technical insti-

tutes require a final, official transcript from appli-cants sometime after completion of second semester.You must submit to the registrar, Mrs. Bitts,stamped and addressed envelopes for each schoolwhere your final transcript needs to be sent.Note: official transcripts will not be mailed until alloutstanding fmes have been paid.

FINAL EXAMSFinals for seniors will be given on Monday,

Tuesday and Wednesday, June 2, 3 and 4. We willbe on a regular bell schedule with exams scheduledas follows:

~ Monday, June 2: Periods 3A~ Tuesday, June 3: Periods 3, 3B and 4~ Wednesday, June 4: Periods 1 and 2

CHECK-OUT PROCESSSeniors will be given a final checkout sheet on

Tuesday, June 3, during third period. Seniors needto check out of classes, the library, and ASB/Athletics (Fines). Follow instructions on the SeniorCheck-Out Form carefully. Please note that sen-iors must have all fines paid in order to completetheir clearance sheet.

SENIORS MUST COMPLETE the CHECK-OUT PROCESS by Friday, June 6, in order toreceive their graduation tickets.

Running Start and off campus seniors arerequired to pick up and complete a ClearanceSheet by Friday, June 6. You may pick up a Clear-ance Sheet from Mrs. Hagerman in the main office.

FINESSeniors must have all fines paid by Friday,

June 6. A "fines list" will be posted on the StudentServices window and will be updated regularly.Please be sure to check for your name. Libraryfines will be posted and must be cleared with thelibrarian by Friday, June 6. All library materialsmust be turned in by this date.

SENIOR BREAKFASTA continental breakfast will be served on

Friday, June 6, in the old commons from 8:00-8:45 a.m. This event is for seniors only and is spon-sored by the Junior Class.

DAILY BULLETINThe high school bulletin is posted daily. A

hard copy of the bulletin is located in the main of-fice, teachers have e-mail access as well as a hardcopy, and it is read daily at 7:40 a.m. to students overthe intercom. The daily bulletin is available on thehigh school website: www.sw.wednet.edulswhs.

Seniors should be checking the bulletin daily forevents and schedule changes at South Whidbey HighSchool. It is especially important at this time of theyear. RUNNING START & OFF-CAMPUSSENIORS ARE RESPONSmLE FOR CHECK-ING UPDATED SENIOR INFORMATION. Wewill not be mailing information home to these stu-dents.

WALKING PARTNERSSeniors need to sign-up for a walking partner

for graduation no later than Friday, May 30. Pleasesee Mrs. Bilyeu in the ASB/Athletic Office.

Failure to sign-up will resultin partner assignments.

4

~ 8/f'#8 et..A88DF .t{J/I'IMP NI'IHT CFtF8NAfl(JN

Concept: It has been a tradition for many years to organize an all-night Graduation Night celebration for the Senior Class as

an opportunity to honor their achievement and celebrate one last time with their classmates in a safe and secure

environment. The evening is a highly anticipated event taking place at secret, to the graduates, destinations filled with non-

stop fun and wonderful memories. The 2014 Grad Night Planning Committee hopes each attendee will consider it to be one

of the highlights of their high school years and would ask parents to encourage their student to participate in this special

event.

Details: The evening will begin at 4:30 pm with the Graduates meeting at the Clinton ferry for the 5:00 pm sailing. The

group will be transported via two luxury buses to the destinations chosen for the evening. Graduates will be entertained for

11.5 hours then transported to the Mukilteo ferry for the 7:30 am sailing to Clinton. Please make arrangements to pick up

your student. They should not be driving after staying awake all night.

Pay Early and SAVE!!Mail payments to SWHS PTSA

or place in SWHS PTSA drop-box at the high school

Mailing AddressSWHS PTSA

ATTN: Grad NightC/o South Whidbey High School

5675 S Maxwelton RdLangleyWA 98260

CLASS OF 2014 GRAD NIGHT PARTY TICKET ORDER FORMSign me up for the Class of 2014 Senior Party

Student Name: Student Phone #:

Parent Name: Parent Phone#:

Parent Email:Enclosed is my check payable to SWHS PTSA for. Pavment plan $ Attached

- $175 until November 30, 2013 + participation in 3 fund raisers. DYes DNo $

- $200 until January 31, 2014 + participation in 2 fundraisers DYes DNo $

- $225 until March 31, 2014 + participation in 1 fundraiser DYes DNo $

- $250 paid-in-full instead of participating in fundraising $

- I am donating $ to the scholarship fund $

- I would like information about a scholarship.

- I am donatinq a prize for the party. Please call me at*Payment plans: Total due must be received by cut-off date, e.g. full $175 must be received by 11/30/13.

ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. Exception: Illness on the day of the eventThis form and payment must be retumed to SWHS PTSA before the student will be allowed to attend

Party Night Rules:

• No alcohol or drug products will be allowed. Any student found in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol or drugsprior to boarding the bus or at any time during the party, will be sent home.Phone calls will not be allowed by students during the events. Please leave cell phones and electronic devices at home. Inthe case of an emergency, chaperones will call the appropriate party.No one will board the bus without a consent form on file.Students may not leave the party unless prior arrangements have been made and the student is picked up by a parent orguardian.Only items on the Approved Item list (to be provided closer to the party date) will be permitted on the party sites. Please leavepurses, backpacks, etc at home.

•

••

•

Grad Night Committee: Jill Boyd, Sophia Goode, Camdyn Hamilton, Erin Hanson, Jennifer & Richard Parrici<,Susan Radisch, PaulShimada, and Lori Sutfin-Reafs. Pleasecontact us with any questions. input or ideas you may have!

~"'" Please find current information about fundraising events and Grad Night on our Facebook page.

5

South Whidbey School District5520 Maxwelton RoadLangley, WA 98260

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit Number 9

Langley, WA 98260

SENIOR SLIDE SHOW

Traditionally, senior class officers and interested members of the class produce a slide show to be presented at theend of the year Farewell Assembly. This year we want the slide show to be exceptional. We plan to includevideo clips as well as photos of the graduating students throughout their lives. We have beencollecting photos for a month now and have received many pictures of a limited number ofpeople in our class. This year we particularly want to emphasize that a class is the sum of itsparts. With this idea in mind, we plan to represent all students of our class in the slide show.

We would greatly appreciate your help as a parent or guardian, to provide photos and videoclips of your student to the slide show committee. We need at least three pictures of eachsenior. One baby or childhood, one adolescent, and one current. A collection box islocated in the ASB/Athletic office. Digital photographs are welcome and may be e-mailed to:swgradslideshow@gmail.com. Pictures must be submitted by Thursday, May 1.For more information please contact Mrs. RacheUe Bennett, Senior Advisor at rbennett@sw.wednet.edu.

ALL pictures and videos should have the name or names of individuals pictured written on the back, and, ifneeded, the name of the person to whom the picture should be returned. All items will be returned to seniors atthe mandatory graduation rehearsal on Thursday, June 5.

South Whidbey School District, as an educational institution and as an employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, maritalor veteran status. This is a commitment made by the District in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.

6