OSBOURN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDELINES and PROCEDURES
Graduation Practice and Graduation Ceremony
INTRODUCTION
To minimize confusion concerning graduation activities, this handout has been prepared for use by the student, the student’s family, and the student’s friends. Discussed in this handout are the acceptable actions, behaviors, and protocols.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Students are expected to know the academic requirements for graduation. This means that students must have completed the requirements for graduation by June 7, 2017. A student who will complete the requirements for graduation by attending summer school is not eligible to participate in the end-of-the-year commencement ceremony. A Summer School commencement will occur in August.
Students should be appropriately attired for the solemnity of the event (this will be discussed in greater depth below.)
Students should be on time for the graduation ceremony. This includes making arrangements with employers concerning the taking of time off and/or being released from work on the day of graduation.
Students should behave in such a manner as to bring positive credit to themselves and their families.
Students will meet in the school auditorium at the designated times for all practices.
PUNCTUALITY
Events are scheduled to begin at a certain time, however, the time the event ends depends on the prompt arrival of all concerned.
Practices are scheduled at the selected time to end at a reasonable hour. A practice will run until the graduation format is successfully completed.
Students who are not on time may cause a delay or be removed from the procession. This is particularly true of the ceremony.
It is the student’s responsibility to make all the necessary arrangements to attend on time the practices and the ceremony.
GRADUATION
The ceremony will be held June 10, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. at EagleBank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
**Students must be at the loading dock of EagleBank Arena by 1:30 p.m.**
***Please Note: Balloons and noise makers are strictly prohibited by EagleBank Arena. Please do not bring them as EagleBank Arena staff will not allow them in the building for any reason.***
PRACTICES
Practices will take place onJune 8th and June 9th at 8:00 a.m, at OPHS in the Auditorium. Please plan to arrive by 7:30am to find your seats in the auditorium. ** Enter at the auditorium lobby doors.
ALL PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY
A student who does not attend all practices will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony except at the direction of the school principal. Requests for exceptions must be made in writing and submitted to the principal for approval by May 31, 2017.
CEREMONY DECORUM
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING - GENTLEMEN
Gentlemen are expected to wear “dress shirts” (tie is optional). If the tie option is not taken, the collar of the shirt is to remain inside the gown.
Gentlemen are expected to wear “dress trousers”: preferably dark in color (dark khaki is OK).
Gentlemen are expected to wear “dress shoes.” Sandals and sneakers are not permitted.
Hats are not permitted.
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING—LADIES
Ladies are expected to wear “dress clothes”, dresses, skirts, or dress slacks are acceptable.
Ladies are expected to wear “dress shoes”. The wearing of heels is strongly discouraged because of the difficulty in walking on a ramp and/or steps.
SOME EXAMPLES OF INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING (This is not inclusive, but rather is included to serve as a guideline.)
Shorts
T-shirts
Flip-flops
Tennis shoes/sneakers (any color)
Jeans
Students are not permitted to decorate their caps in any manner.
Students inappropriately dressed will be removed from the line and may be prohibited from participating in the commencement exercises.
DIRECTIONS
From points South on I-95: take exit 160B (Route 123 North) at Lake Ridge/Occoquan. Follow Route 123 North for approximately 15 miles to Braddock Road. Turn right on Braddock Road. At the first signal, turn left on Roanoke River Road.
From I-66: Take the Fairfax County Parkway South Exit (Route 7100). Exit the Parkway at Braddock Road, and turn left onto Braddock Road. Take the first left past Route 123 (Ox Road) onto Roanoke River Road.
From Osbourn Park: Take Route 28 North towards Centreville. Turn right onto New Braddock Road (this will become Braddock Road). Take the first left past Route 123 (Ox Road) onto Roanoke River Road.
TICKETS/SEATING
EagleBank Arena is a 10,000 seat capacity arena. We will not issue tickets, rain or shine. There are enough seats for everyone! Seating is on a first come/first seated basis. A few seats will be reserved to accommodate guests with special needs such as the hearing/visually impaired. Parents and guests will be allowed to enter the arena at 1:30pm.
PARKING
George Mason has ample parking. All parking is monitored by GMU staff. They will direct you to the most available lot. Please follow instructions. Following instructions will prevent traffic backups and delays.
Parking spaces for guests with disabilities are well marked with the universal handicapped symbol and are monitored by GMU staff. Van accessible parking spaces are located adjacent to the South entrance. All vehicles must display state-issued access tags or placards to park in these spaces. All public entrances are at the street/concourse level. There are no steps or ramps to maneuver in order to enter the arena.
We will not distribute passes for handicapped seating. EagleBank Arena’s attendants will handle seating as parents/guests arrive and have assured us of ample seating.