Rick Hansen
Secondary
Grad Handbook
2013-2014
Table of Contents
Message to Parentspage 3
Sponsor Teacherspage 3
Grad Expectationspage 3
Grad Information Student Meetingspage 3
Graduation Requirementspage 4
Provincial Exams and Graduation Statuspage 5
Grad Transitionspage 5
Yearbook Grad Quotepage 5
Stage Crossing Quotes/Baby Picturespage 5
Scholarships, Bursaries and Awardspage 6
Scholarship Teampage 6
Post-Secondary Application and PSI Choices Formpage 7
Grad Valedictorianspage 7
Grad Ceremony Ticketspage 7
Grad Ceremony Eligibilitypage 7
Grad Rings page 8
Grad Ceremony Rehearsalspage 8
Grad Ceremonypage 8
Torchlight Parade page 8
Graduation Fee page 8
Prom Banquet Dinner and Dance page 9
Dry Grad page 9
Prom & Dry Grad Guests page 9
Optional Activities/Costs page 10
Grad Harbour Cruisepage 10
Grad Financial Aid page 10
Grad BBQ page 10
Grad Photos page 10
Grad Fashion Show page 10
Grad Checklistpage 11
Message to Parents
We are extremely proud and excited about this BIG year! We strongly encourage you as parents to get involved and help out with the Grad activities. There are activities where help is needed and input is always appreciated. Our first Grad Parent meeting is on the evening of Tuesday October 1stat 6:30 pm in the library. Monthly meetings will be set up for the remainder of the year on the first Tuesday of each month for Prom (6:30) and Dry Grad (7:00) committees. Please check the school website for additional Grad updates at If you have any questions about a specific event, please contact the Sponsor Teacher for that function.
Sponsor Teachers
Sponsor Teachers are teachers who have volunteered their time to oversee a particular Grad event. To help out, contact the following people:
- General Grad Sponsor Mr. Sekhon
- Grad Harbour CruiseMr. Sidhu
- Commencement CeremoniesMr. Newton
- Dry GradMr. Sekhon
- Banquet and DanceMrs. Hirowatari
- YearbookMr. Sharpe
- Grad Fashion ShowMr.Sidhu
- Scholarships, Bursaries and AwardsMr. Sidhu/Mrs. Fawcett
- Scholarship TeamMrs. Fawcett
- Grad ClothingMrs. Fawcett
Grad Expectations
We expect our grad class to be leaders in the school and to set good examples with the choices they make. Grade 12 students who choose, in their final year, to attend school or school events having consumed drugs or alcohol or fail to abide by the school code of conduct may have their privilege of participating in Grad events revoked by the administration.
Grad Information Student Meetings
There will be a series of Student Grad Information meetings that will be used to inform the students of important dates and information regarding grad events, completion of necessary forms towards graduation including PSI, transcript verification, Post-Secondary Choice and Abbotsford Foundation Awards. Grad meetings will take place in the cafeteria as needed.
Graduation Requirements
Subject Area / Minimum Credits
Planning 10 / 4
a Language Arts 10 / 4
a Language Arts 11 / 4
a Language Arts 12 / 4
a Mathematics 10 / 4
a Mathematics 11 / 4
a Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills 10, 11 or 12 / 4
Social Studies 10 / 4
a Social Studies 11 or Civics 11 or FNS 12 / 4
Science 10 / 4
a Science 11 / 4
Physical Education 10 / 4
48 credits
ELECTIVE COURSES
Students must earn at least 28 elective credits / Minimum Credits
Additional Grade 10-12 / 28
GRADUATION TRANSITIONS
Students must earn 4 credits for Graduation
Transitions / 4
OVERALL TOTAL / 80
* Of the 80 credits for graduation, at least 16 must be at the Grade 12 level, including a Grade 12 Language Arts course. Others may be required or elective courses for PSIs. All students must take 8 courses.
Provincial Exams and Graduation Status
Provincial exams are held at the end of each semester for courses that require them (January and June). Some courses may also provide exam opportunities (rewrites) in November and April. The Provincial Exam schedule will be
available on our school website or on the government website If you have any questions about the provincial exam for a specific course, please see the subject teacher. If you have questions about your graduation status please see your counsellor.
Grad Transitions (Due November 8th)
All Grad Transition requirements MUST be completed and submitted by
Friday November 8th to Mr. Gill. Students who have not completed the GT
requirements will be removed from the Graduation list. Students will not be able to attend graduation activities until GT requirements have been met.
Graduation Transitions Requirements
Personal Health - maintain a personal health plan and participate in at least 100 hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Students enrolled in PE 10, PE 11/12, Strength Training 11/12 and/or Cross Training 11/12 will meet the criteria. Students not enrolled in one of these courses in their grad program years must keep a record of their DPA. We encourage students use the on-line activity log at
Community Connections - participate in at least 30 hours of work experience and/or community service and describe what was learned.
Career and Life - complete a transition plan and present significant accomplishments, budget, cover letter, resume and exit interview.
PLEASE NOTE: Students who do not complete their grad transitions will not graduate.
Yearbook Grad Quote/Baby Pictures
Grads will be able to leave a memorable quote (this is your message to your fellow grads) with your grad photo in the yearbook. Deadline is Friday January 31st.
Criteria:
1) 70 words or less
2) Please adhere to the school’s policy regarding language and content.
YearbookQuotes emailed to:
Please include in the subject line: Grad Quote, full name
Example: Grad quote, Jag Binning
Stage Crossing Quotes & Baby Pictures
Will be used in addition to your baby and Grad photo in the grad ceremony PowerPoint. Deadline is FridayJanuary 31st
Criteria:
1) 35 words or less
2) Students might like to acknowledge or thank the people who have
contributed to their success - parents, other family members, friends, teachers. They may tell about future plans - college, travel, work. They may dedicate their grad to someone special.
3) Write in third person ( he, she ) when writing the quote.
Stage Crossing Quotes & Baby Pictures emailed to:
Please include in the subject line: Stage Crossing Quote, full name
Example: Stage Crossing Quote, Gulraj Binning
Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards
Organizations want to give money away to deserving students BUT you must apply. All scholarships, bursaries and awards will be formally presented at the Commencement ceremonies. Some ways you can EARN $$$$
Passport to Education – recognizes students in Grade 10-12. See your agenda for more details.
Provincial Exam Scholarship Program – students earn $1000 to $2500 based on their provincial exam results. Need three exam scores of 86% or higher in English 10, Science 10, Math 10, Social Studies 11 plus a B or better in English 12 or Communications 12 .
District Dogwood Authority Award – students can earn $1000 for the Abbotsford School District by completing a 100 hour district scholarship project in fine arts, applied skills, physical activity, or second language. Applications due in October for presentations in May and June.
Abbotsford Community Foundation – The ACF generously provides thousands of dollars to district schools for bursaries or scholarships. The application process begins in February.
Secondary School Apprentice Scholarships – The BC government provides trades scholarships of $1000 to any student who completes a SSA. See Mr. Gill for more information.
Provincial, National & International Scholarships – The Counselling department is always available to help students learn how, and when to apply for the many, many scholarships that are available from outside agencies.
Scholarship Team
Students interested in applying for multiple scholarships can join the
scholarship team. Meetings will be held throughout the year.
Post-Secondary Application and PSI Choices Form
Students are encouraged to use the new online application form on the PASBC website at to apply to the majority of BC’s post-secondary institutions. The PSI Choices form is now available online at . Students must log into their secure account and meet the deadlines established on the website if they wish to have their final marks sent to a post-secondary institution.
Grad Valedictorian
Students and teachers may nominate for valedictorian (nomination forms will be available on Thursday April 3rd). A teacher/administration committee will review all nominations to ensure candidates met the minimum
requirements: A or higher, good conduct, good citizenship, and who has made significant contributions to the school. From this list of nominations the committee will select student nominations and inquire if he/she will let their nominations stand.
Students accepting the nomination will prepare a one minute speech to present to their grad class outlining why he/she would be a good candidate for grad valedictorian. Grads will be select their representative by a vote on Thursday April 24th.
Grad Ceremony Tickets
Due to limited space we encourage families to purchase grad ceremony tickets as soon as tickets go on sale Monday May 1st. Tickets are $8.00 each.
Grad Ceremony Eligibility
Students may participate in the graduation ceremonies only if they are taking a course of studies that indicates by May 1st that they will successfully satisfy the provincial graduation requirements. (Student’s academic standing must
demonstrate that they minimally meet prescribed learning outcomes in each course. A student may participate in the ceremonies and other activities only once. Students enrolled in courses outside of Hansen that are required for graduation must be 80% complete and headed towards successful completion of the course in order to be eligible to take part in the ceremony. A student ineligible to participate in the grad ceremony may still participate in grad
activities as a guest pending administrative approval.
Grad Rings
Every year a Jostens representative comes to our school to place ring orders. This will happen in late October.
Grad Ceremony Rehearsal
- Grads are required to attend Abbotsford Pentacostal Assembly (3145 Gladwin Rd.) on Thursday May 29th for a rehearsal. All students must attend.
- Grad gowns will be available for pick up during the week of Monday May 26th to Thursday May 29th.
Grad Ceremony
This is a formal ceremony sponsored by the staff and administration of Rick Hansen Secondary School for parents and the community.
Date:Friday, May 30th, 2013
Time:6:00 pm (Grads need to be in line by 5:40)
Place:Abbotsford Pentacostal Assembly
Grads—please be at the church in the gym by 5:40. DO NOT BE LATE!
Things to know about Commencement night:
- If you want to take pictures at the church arrive early and take the pictures with your family before the ceremony.
- Each Grad will be given a photograph of themselves on the stage.
- Out of respect for everyone in attendance, during commencement, air horns and other loud instruments are not permitted during the ceremony.
- Come to the ceremony already dressed in your gown with clothes underneath. (Guys: black dress pants, white dress shirt and black dress shoes. Girls: skirts or dresses with black dress shoes).
Torchlight Parade (Sunday June 1st)
Parents will delight in this activity prior to Prom as we ask parents to assemble in the gym, sit in the bleachers and take pictures of the entire grad class as they enter in darkness, cascading in moonlight then march to their selection of songs and show off their tuxedos and dresses. Students arrive at RHSS for 4:00 pm. Students board busses to Newlands at 6:00pm.
*PLEASE NOTE: This is an event that is free of drugs and alcohol. Students that come to this event under the influence or in possession of drug or alcohol will not be admitted.
Graduation Fee
The Graduation fee of $40.00 covers the cost of grad gown, cap, tassel, one 5x7 grad photo and diploma, church rental, and decorations.
Prom Banquet Dinner and Dance (Optional)
The Banquet Dinner and Dance is a formal event where students get to dress up and spend a very memorable evening together. Grads will share in a
gourmet buffet dinner. There will be speeches and then Grads dance the night away. Students will purchase their tickets and sign up for a table (seating for 8 per table) at that time. Sign up in the office.
Date:Sunday June 1st
Location: Newlands in Langley
Time:Dinner begins at 7:00pm
Tickets:On sale March 3rd
Transportation:All students will be bussed to Newlands. Students At the end of Prom, students will return to Dry Gradl via bus. Students cannot arrange for their own
transportation to prom.
Dry Grad (Optional)
Dry Grad will take place after Prom on Sunday June 1st. All students will be bussed from Ramada to Dry Grad. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to drive themselves. NO EXCEPTIONS. Students will spend the night until approximately 4:00am. Deadline for Dry Grad Guest Application: Friday May 15th.
*PLEASE NOTE: This is an event that is free of drugs and alcohol. Students that come to this event under the influence or in possession of drug or alcohol will not be admitted. There will be no refunds. All school rules apply.
Prom/Dry Grad Guest Applications
For Guests Currently Attending an Abbotsford School, School
administration will contact district 34 vice principals to confirm the information.
For Out of District Guests Still Attending a High School, a form must be completed by the guest, signed by their principal/vice principal and faxed to Mr. Sekhon from your guest’s school fax machine. We will not accept mailed or hand delivered forms.
Guest requests for students who are no longer attending high school, or non high school aged guests must pay a $200.00 cash deposit at the office which will be reimbursed provided there are no costs incurred by the school for damages or transportation. Guests must also have a criminal record check
completedone month in advance of the event. The cost of the criminal record search will not be reimbursed.
All guest approvals are per administration discretion. Approved guests will be notified by administration. Deadline for Prom Guest Application: May 15th.
Optional Activities/Costs
Grad Cruise — $80.00
Prom Ticket — $95.00
Dry Grad — $50.00 (actual charge may change pending fundraising efforts)
Grad Fashion Show
The Grad Fashion Show is an annual tradition at Rick Hansen Secondary. Grads get to participate in a fashion show promoting garments from local community sponsors. The Grad fashion show will occur Sunday February 23rd at RHSS.
Grad BBQ
This event is sponsored by the school and it’s administrative team as a thank you for an exceptional year free of grad pranks/ crimes, poor behaviour and poor choices. We asked the grade 12’s to be role models in and around the school and as an acknowledgement of their efforts in this regard the admin host a fun afternoon of yearbook signing and BBQ. This event takes place on Friday June 13th.
Grad Financial Aid
The Grad Parent Committee has undertaken a number of fundraising initiatives to pay for students who are experiencing financial hardship. While there are no hard and fast rules for asking for financial aid, the school will consider all
requests made by Monday March 31st 2014with the following guidelines:
income assistance, temporary hardship, loss of employment, or use of other programs including school meals etc. Requests should be made to Mr. Sharpe.
Grad Photos
Grad photographs are separated from the regular school pictures and will be
taken by a professional photographer from November 25th to November 29th. Book an appointment for portrait sittings at the counseling office.
Grad Checklist
Review this list regularly to ensure you are meeting deadlines
September
OReview Sem 1 timetable ensuring you meet Graduation requirements
OCourse changes ONLY for missing grad requirements
OSign up for the Optional Grad Harbour Cruise for Sept 20th
OComplete application form for post-secondary at:
OTVR check - it is your responsibility to make sure your TVR is correct
October
OBook Grad photo appointments in the Counselling Centre
OOrder your Hansen grad wear by Oct 31 for December delivery
OGrad Parent information night Oct 1st 6:30pm in Library
ODistrict Dogwood Scholarship Applications October 24th
November
OJostens Ring order Nov 1st
OGrad Transitions due Monday November 8th
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 November 5th
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting November 5th 7pm in library
OGrad portraits November 25th to November 29th
December
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 December 3rd
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting December 3rd 7pm in library
January
OOrder your Hansen grad wear for April delivery
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 January 7th
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting January7th 7pm in library
OYearbook Quotes emailed to Mr. Sharpe by January 31st.
O Stage Crossing Quotes emailed to Mr. Sidhu by January 31st.
OWrite Final/Provincial Exams January 27th—31st
OMany universities require you to apply by Jan 31st for Sept 2014 entrance . Check with counsellor's for specifics
February
OReview Sem 2 timetable ensuring you meet Graduation requirements
OComplete Abbotsford Community Foundation scholarship applications
OComplete PSI Choices Form at:
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 February 4th
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting February 4th 7pm in library
OGrad Fashion Show Sunday February 23rd
March
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 March 5th
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting March 5th 7pm in library
April
OGrad fees must be paid in full to be participate in Grad events
OProvincial exams (rewrites must pre-register at the office)
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 April 1st
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting April 1st7pm in library
OPSI early admission April 30th. Last deadline June 30th
May
OGrad fee must be paid in full to be participate in Grad events
OGrad Ceremony tickets and Prom tickets on sale May 1st
OBook a banquet table with 8 friends
OGrad Prom Parent Meeting 6:30pm C208 May 6th
OGrad Dry Grad Parent Meeting May 6th 7pm in library
ODeadline for Dry Grad Guest Applications: May 15th
ODeadline for Prom Guest Applications: May 15th
OGrad Ceremony Rehearsal May 29th