2017 Graduation Protocol

2017 GRADUATION PROTOCOL

ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS: Belowis a copy of the contract given to your senior student. It lists the details for graduation, what time they are expected to arrive, when rehearsals are, what to wear, etc. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school. Thanks for your help and support as we wind down our students' high school experience.

PHS 2017GRADUATION CONTRACT

The following information is being provided to each senior who will participate in the 2017 graduation ceremony. We are hoping to have the best commencement ceremony possible and ask for your assistance. We hope that both the graduate and his/her parents will read this clearance contract carefully before dating and signing it.

1. GRADUATION REHEARSAL: The rehearsal will be at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Don Haskins Special Events Center. THIS REHEARSAL IS MANDATORY! Please return your signed parental permission form to your English teacher by May 19, 2017. The signed parental permission form is one of the clearance documents that must be completed prior to being cleared. At the rehearsal you will be given directions on your seating area along with our graduation procedures. Bus pick up time will be 7:15 am and students will return to our campus by 2:30 pm.

2. GRADUATION DAY: The Commencement exercise will be held on Monday, June 12, 2016 at 1:30 pmin the Don Haskins Special Events Center at UTEP. Parents, relatives and friends are advised to arrive early as seats are not reserved. Graduates will be required to arrive at the Don Haskins south concourse lobby no later than 12:00 pm.

3. DIGNITY OF CEREMONY: Commencement is a dignified ceremony. Every graduate and that graduate’s family should be able to hear his/her name being announced. For that reason, graduates, parents and their guests are to leave all materials that would create an obnoxious or undignified atmosphere at home. All inappropriate items will be confiscated at the door and not returned. Such materials include, but are not limited to, noise makers, banners, cowbells, air horns, any inflatable’s, signs, umbrellas, balloons, silly string, confetti, beach balls, etc. No large purses or bags should be brought to the Special Events Center. What might be appropriate at an outdoor event is not acceptable at this dignified occasion. UTEP security has been instructed to bar admission to anyone who does not comply with this request, and WILL REMOVE FROM THE CEREMONY ANY GRADUATE OR AUDIENCE MEMBER WHO VIOLATES THE DECORUM (GOOD TASTE AND RESPECTABILITY) OF THE AFTERNOON. ANY STUDENT REMOVED BY SECURITY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO GRADUATION!!!!!

All candidates for graduation are expected to act in a courteous manner before, during, and until the conclusion of the graduation ceremony. You are asked to refrain from talking during the ceremony. Applause will be held until all graduates are announced. Due to the length of the ceremony (about 2 hours), it may be wise to leave infants and young children home. If parents choose to bring small children, it is the parents’ responsibility to make certain that other audience members are not disturbed by the children’s behavior.

4. DRESS CODE:Please remember that this is to be a dignified ceremony. Therefore, any graduate not properly dressed risks being barred from the ceremony. Sandals and athletic shoes are not allowed. Ladies should consider a low-heeled shoe—the stairs are very steep and you will be safer if not in high heels or platform shoes. Gentlemen should wear a closed-toed shoe such as a loafer or oxford-style dress shoe. No athletic shoes for girls or boys. Girls should wear a dress, skirt/blouse, or dress pants (NO SHORTS)—long skirts are difficult, and possibly dangerous on the stairs. Cocktail dresses would not be appropriate. Boys are expected to wear a shirt and tie and slacks (NO SHORTS). BLUE JEANS OR BAGGY PANTS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE! Graduates may not have corsages, cell phones, cameras, purses or any object in their hands at the processional or ceremony. Leave them at home. In addition we will be enforcing all YISD policies pertaining to dress code and grooming including the prohibition of facial or body piercings. Items confiscated on the day of graduation can be picked up Tuesday June 13, 2017 (including cell phones) at the campus.

5. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS:ALL financial obligations to the school, such as lost textbooks, library fines, etc. must be resolved prior to Tuesday, June 6, 2017.

6. STUDENT HANDBOOK: GRADUATION CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES

Eligibility to Participate: To participate in graduation ceremonies, graduating seniors must have successfully completed a state-approved program of study and they must have met all applicable state testing requirements. A student can participate only once in graduation ceremonies.

Community Service Hours: Beginning with students who entered grade 9 in the 2009-10 school year, students must have a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer service in order to participate in graduation ceremonies. It is recommended that students earn a minimum of 20 volunteer service hours per year. See FMH (LOCAL), FMH-R, and FMH-R.

Loss of Privilege to Participate in Graduation Ceremony: Any senior who is in possession, under the influence, or who sells, gives or delivers to another person a controlled substance or dangerous drug during the last 6 weeks of the school year; or who commits a code of conduct violation for which mandatory placement at Cesar Chavez Academy is required will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony of his or her graduating class.

Conduct at Ceremony: Graduation ceremonies are a celebration of the accomplishments of the senior class. We ask all parents, relatives and friends of the senior class to honor them by not creating distractions that deter from this joyous occasion. Noise makers, beach balls, and other items which may disrupt the ceremony are prohibited from the arena. Seniors are expected to wear the traditional cap and gown signifying successful completion of all requirements for graduation.

Information on school-sponsored activities at graduation and requirements for participation in graduation exercises may be obtained from your school’s Principal or the student activities director.

7. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS:Portraits with Attitude Photography will be taking photos of each senior as they receive their diploma. The proof will be posted on their website along with an order form. NO PARENTS, RELATIVES, OR FRIENDS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE MAIN FLOOR DURING OR AFTER THE CEREMONY. UTEP security will be enforcing this rule. Family photos may be taken after the ceremony outside the building.

8. REPORT TIME:Seniors are to report to the Don Haskins Center promptly at 12:00 pm. on Monday. Your administration will speak to you at rehearsal to inform you where to meet. Roll call will be taken and completed by 12:30 pm.IF YOU ARE NOT PRESENT IN TIME FOR THE ROLL CALL, YOUR DIPLOMA WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE STAGE! Graduates whose names have been deleted may pick up their diplomas on Monday, June 13, 2017 in the registrar’s office. Please allow enough time to park and be at the assigned area on time. It is very important you not be late. Consider how disappointing it will be if you do not participate in this special ceremony. The use of liquor or any other intoxicant is not permitted. Smoking, chewing tobacco, and gum chewing are also prohibited. Please do not do anything to embarrass your family. In the event you are unable to attend the graduation ceremony because of sudden illness, please contact Mr. McKinny before 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday June 9, 2016. His direct number is (915)434-6009.

9. PROCESSIONAL:Only Seniors should report to the assigned meeting area. Please be in place no later than 12:00 p.m. Roll call will be taken and completed by 12:30 pm. Those not present when their name is called may be ‘scratched’ from the program. Once your counselor ‘scratches’ a name, it is reported to the registrar who then removes the diploma. Seniors should enter through the south end of the Don Haskins Center. Parents, relatives, and guests may enter through the west, or north side entrances. Only seniors will be allowed to come to the South Concourse The processional will begin promptly at 1:30 pm. Once the line to march has been set, candidates for graduation cannot leave the line for any reason. Please remain standing at your seat until after the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation. All tassels must be worn on the left side throughout the graduation ceremony. Caps should be worn parallel to the ground. Caps and gowns may not be decorated. Caps and gowns must be worn for the duration of the ceremony.

10. RECEIVING YOUR DIPLOMA: Accept the diploma with the left hand and acknowledge (shake hands) with your right hand.

If you have any questions, please call Mr. Martinez, Student Activities Director, at (915) 434-6000. The Graduation Contract and Student Permission Slip must be signed and returned to your English Teachers by May 19, 2017.

YOU MUST RETURN THIS FORM BY May 19, 2017 TO YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER. This form is part of the clearance procedure.

I have read the 2017 Graduation Contract and agree to cooperate in the effort to make this a dignified and memorable ceremony, and understand the consequences that can result from a failure to comply with the contract’s stipulations.

Graduate’s name (please print): ______DATE ______

Graduate’s signature: ______ID Number ______

Graduate’s parent/guardians name (please print):______

Graduate’s parent/guardians signature: ______DATE______