April 30, 2008
Dear Graduating Senior and Parents:
RE: END OF THE SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES AND GRADUATION
With the school year rapidly concluding, May will become a special and busy time as we prepare for graduation. The 90th Commencement Exercise will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Kansas Expocentre. We want to encourage you to participate in the graduation ceremony. Participation is not mandatory and the decision to attend is a choice for both student and parent (s). If you are not planning on participating in the commencement ceremony, please contact the Registrar, Mrs. Wittenbach, at 339-4104 before May 6th. We do expect those students who participate to follow these guidelines:
DRESS: Students are required to dress appropriately for this occasion; collared shirts, dress slacks, socks and dress shoes for males; dresses or collared shirts and slacks, socks or hose and dress shoes for females. T-shirts, jeans, shorts, sweat pants or athletic footwear should not be worn. The royal blue caps and gowns will be worn by all graduates. The caps and gowns should have no additional decorations on them.
DECORUM: We insist that proper behavior be exercised during the entire ceremony so that all students can be given the proper recognition they have worked so hard to achieve. At no time, before all students are formally presented their diplomas, should any student or his/her family draw undo attention to themselves and away from the occasion and other graduates. Any student who fails to follow appropriate behavior will be escorted out of the arena.
Parents need to also be aware that the security chief of the Expocentre has asked us to share the following:
1. Please leave bags and purses in your vehicle. Large bags, i.e. video camcorder bags, can be searched upon entering the facility.
2. Camera tripods will not be permitted in the stand. The tripods pose a tripping hazard for other guests.
3. Handicapped seating is available on the arena floor. This area is behind the graduates. Handicapped guests (and accompanying family) should enter the doors of the southeast ground level.
Following are important dates relating to all graduating seniors. We look forward to seeing you particularly on May 18th. Thank you for your cooperation.
DATE ACTIVITY
May 01 Seniors may begin signing up in the Main Office for final transcript requests. Most colleges require a final transcript showing a graduation date in addition to any preliminary transcripts.
May 05 Graduates with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.650 or above may start purchasing Gold Cords in the Main Office. Checks should be made payable to WRHS for $7.00.
May 06 Deadline to let the Registrar know if you choose not to participate in graduation.
May 08 Deadline to turn in scholarships that have been received and accepted to the Guidance Office for the graduation program. These will not be accepted after 3:00 p.m. on May 8.
May 12 Graduating Seniors last day of classes – dismissal at 3:00 p.m.
May 12 Graduation Practice during the school day. Honor Medals will be given to graduates with a cumulative GPA of 4.000 or above after practice. Remember to bring/wear them to graduation. Replacements will not be available.
May 12 Last day to pick up caps and gowns.
May 13 Outstanding debts due BEFORE 11:30 A.M. TUESDAY, MAY 13th. Graduates with outstanding debts will not receive their diplomas until those are cleared. In order to receive your diploma, you must have all debts cleared before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13th. No money, books, etc... will be taken the evening of graduation.
May 14 Academic Awards Night – 7:00 p.m. @ WRHS Auditorium
May 18 Graduation Ceremony – Expocentre 7:00 p.m. Graduates are to enter via the northeast exhibition hall doors by 6:15 p.m. Final instructions and line up at 6:45 p.m. Chappell Graduation Images will take graduation pictures of all graduates as they cross the platform. You will receive ordering information in the mail directly from Chappell.
May 19 Processing of final transcript requests will begin May 19 with an anticipation completion date of June 8th.
NOTES: Students who are allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony are seniors who have earned no less than 24 credits by Tuesday, May 13th, 12:00 p.m. To receive a diploma, students must earn a minimum of 25 credits. If you have questions regarding your graduation status, please contact your counselor at 339-4113.
Replacements for items you forget (cap, gown, tassel, white stole, NHS stole, gold cord, honor medal, etc…) will not be available at the Expocentre. Make sure to bring everything with you.
Sincerely,
Ed Raines
Principal