George McDougall High School Graduation Handbook Class of 2018 1 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Index 3 Welcome 4 Teacher Advisors 5 Graduation Communications 6 Important Dates 7 Graduation Subcommittees 8 Graduation Rehearsal 9 Graduation Ceremony 11 Graduation Banquet 12 Good Standing Requirements for Graduates 13 Class Valedictorian 14 Ticket Purchase Information 15 Opt-out Option 16 Grad Gown Sizing Form 2 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Welcome From the Principal Graduation represents the culmination of the hard work and dedication that students have demonstrated for over a decade of their lives. It is to be celebrated and acknowledged as a gateway into the larger world. Whether that world be the world of post-secondary, work or travel, we wish for our Mustangs to lead happy, healthy lives where they are contributing back to the world in meaningful ways. It is also a time for the students to express their appreciation and thanks to the many individuals that helped them get to this moment. Parents, teachers, coaches, employers, friends have all influenced and shaped pathways. This is a year of ownership: Ownership over your choices, ownership over your academics and ownership of who you will become as a member of the larger society. Best of luck to all of our Mustangs on this significant milestone. Garry Bell Principal From the Teacher Advisors for Grad Committee... Every year it is our pleasure, as the teachers involved with graduation, to watch the grade 12 students get involved in the planning, organizing and the orchestration of their culminating graduation events. For most graduates, this is the light at the end of the tunnel; graduation is an end to a long road of ups and downs in their academic lives and they want to make it their own. To that end, we encourage your son or daughter to get involved. This involvement could be a commitment to the graduation committee that will meet the third Wednesday of every month during Focused Learning Time (FLT), and may extend to additional meetings for specific subcommittees. If time is a concern, contributions may be as small as voting for their grad song or nominating themselves or another for valedictorian. Regardless of the level of commitment, every contribution, big or small, is important and by becoming actively involved will only serve to make the experience all that more special and rewarding. 3 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Teacher Advisors for Inquiries General Graduation Coordinator Jolene Burgeson 948-5935 X5152 jburgeson@rockyview.ab.ca Banquet and Decorating Liese Reichert 948-5935 X5126 lreichert@rockyview.ab.ca Grad Ceremony Storm Lafferty 948-5935 X5129 slafferty@rockyview.ab.ca Academic Inquiries Michael Reece 948-5935 X5115 mreece@rockyview.ab.ca Rob Elleker 948-5935 X5114 relkeker@rockyview.ab.ca Administrator Jim Reilly 948-5935 X5130 jreilly@rockyview.ab.ca Waitlist Inquiries Monique Yellowega 948-5935 X5104 myellowega@rockyview.ab.ca 4 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Lines of Communication There are many ways to access the information that you require. Please check out the following: Refer to this handbook for information regarding general graduation requirements. An electronic copy is on our website. Reminders and new information will be posted on the George McDougall website: http://mcdougall.rockyview.ab.ca/students/graduation Graduates may reference the bulletin board, by the weight room, for updated graduation information. Timely information may be distributed through Synervoice. This service will leave a detailed message regarding grad on your home phone and send an email if you have provided one to the school. If you are unable to find the information you need via these avenues, please contact the appropriate staff advisor listed on page 4. 5 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Important Dates (Subject to Change) October 25, 2017 Grad Info Night GMHS 1 st Friday of the month general meetings MAY be called January 19, 2018 TBA Grad song selection Graduation picture appointments (Platinum will be in the rotunda to book appts.) TBA (Jan. Exam Break) Graduation picture sessions February 6, 2018 February 6, 2018 March 6, 2018 April 13 (3:00 pm), February 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 April 23, 2018 May 11, 2018 April 27, 2018 May 24, 2018 May 26, 2018 Last day to submit Grad Gown form Last day to submit Ceremony Opt-out form Good Standing letters distributed On-line ticket purchases/seat selection Graduation speakers selection Valedictorian Applications will be available Valedictorian Applications are due Last day to purchase banquet tickets Valedictorian Selection meeting Valedictiorian Address Admin. Review Last day to purchase ceremony ticket 6 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Grad Subcommittee Opportunities Below is a brief description of the responsibilities and decisions that will be made in the subcommittee groups. Banquet and Decorating: This subcommittee will have input regarding the menu, lighting/colors, music, and program, as well as decorating and set up for the banquet and ceremony. These meetings will take place in Room 1055, when necessary, with Mrs. Reichert. General Grad Committe: Each year the graduates of GMHS wish to make their grad special. This subcommittee will have input regarding various initiatives including ceremony and banquet slideshows, grad clothing, and any other vision the students have to make their mark on the school. These meetings will take place in Room 2018, as necessary, with Mrs. Burgeson. 7 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Graduation Rehearsal: Date: Wednesday May 30, 2018 Rehearsal Time: 10:30 12 am Where: Genesis Place, Shane Field 800 East Lake Blvd NE, Airdrie, AB T4A 2K9 Student Expectations: It is mandatory for all graduates to attend the ceremony rehearsal. The ceremony is an exciting but also stressful occasion so it is important that the graduates practice what is required of them on that day. 8 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Graduation Ceremony: Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Doors Open: 5:30 pm Ceremony: 6:30 8:30 pm Where: Genesis Place, Shane Field 800 East Lake Blvd NE, Airdrie, AB T4A 2K9 Tickets: Price: $5.00 per ticket Limit: 5 tickets per graduate (grad does not need a ticket) Waitlist: Please email Mrs. Yellowega at myellowega@rockyview.ab.ca with: event, parent name, graduate name, # of tickets (more than 5) and a phone number Student Expectations: Arrival: Students are expected to arrive at Genesis by no later than 5:30 pm, to pick up their hat, tassel and gown. Suggested Dress: Male students are expected to wear a white collared shirt, tie, black dress pants and dress shoes. Female students are expected to wear a white collared shirt, black skirt or dress pants and black dress shoes. Photographer: A professional photographer from Platinum Photographers will be at the ceremony to capture the special moment as your graduate is presented their high school certificate from Principal Bell. This is complementary. As this presentation will be professionally captured, we ask that all parents and family remain seated and refrain from taking their own photos at this time. This will help to ensure optimal lighting and timing for this family keepsake. 9 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Graduation Ceremony cont d: Parking: Parking is available at Genesis Place, at the Grace Baptist Church, and at Ron Ebbesen Arenas. 10 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Graduation Banquet: Date: Thursday, May 31, 2018 Doors Open: 6:30 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm Where: WH Croxford High School 2654 Chinook Winds Dr. SW Airdrie, AB Tickets: Price: Limit: TBD TBD Student Expectations: This event has tables of 8, so when ordering tickets please keep in mind that you will be asked to organize your groups within that configuration. Arrival: Students are expected to arrive at the event site no later than 6:30pm Dress: Formal attire please. Photographer: Platinum Photographers will be present to take pictures of individuals, couples and groups in their banquet finery. Payment will be due at that time. Note: Platinum will have the complementary photos taken at the ceremony available for pickup. 11 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Graduates in Good Standing Requirements In the spring of 2017 (usually in late March and definitely before tickets go on sale), we will be doing a check on each graduates eligibility to participate in graduation events. All graduates must be in good standing to be able to purchase tickets for the ceremony or banquet. The following outlines why a student may not be in good standing and therefore would MAY NOT be eligible to purchase their graduation tickets. o School Fees o School fees must be paid in full to participate in the events. o Please see Mrs. Smiley to pay school fees. o Attendance o Your student is required to attend school. It the student does not meet the attendance requirements for graduation they will be required to meet with administration to ensure that students are still eligible for graduation. o Credits o Your student is at risk or will not meet the credit requirements for an Alberta High School Diploma by June of 2018. o Please see guidance with any concerns regarding transcripts. o Course standards o Your student is currently failing a course in which he/she is registered. o Please see the teacher of the course in which he/she is failing. o Overdue Books o Books (textbooks or library) have not been returned. o Please see Mrs. Johnson, our librarian, to return books. o Removed from Extra-curricular activities o Your student is serving an RVS suspension during the event dates. o Please see Mr. Reilly to discuss the reinstatement process. It is your son or daughter s responsibility to remedy the above situation(s) before graduation tickets may be purchased. Please take this form to the person responsible (stated above) so they can approve the update. Completed forms need to be returned to Mrs. Smiley in the Main Office so the block on schoolcash to purchase tickets may be removed. *Eligibility will be re-evaluated again after term 3 and throughout the remainder of the school year, so that current semester classes are considered in maintaining good standing status. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Jolene Burgeson, grad coordinator, at the school 403-948-5935 or email jburgeson@rockyview.ab.ca. 12 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Class Valedictorian All graduates (grade 12 students) will have the opportunity to submit nominations for this year s class valedictorian. You may nominate someone else or may nominate yourself. The nomination sheet indicates the criteria any successful candidates would require for GMHS Class valedictorian. They are: 1. Candidates must have been on honour roll or honour roll mention throughout their high school career, Grades 10, 11, and 12, with no mark below 75%. 2. Candidates must be an active member in our school activities (extracurricular programs: sports, intramurals, music programs, etc.) and/or involved in the Airdrie community. 3. Candidates must possess and demonstrate a strong positive attitude during school and after school. 4. Candidates must have exemplary behaviour for the last two school years. Nomination forms can be picked up from Mrs. Burgesonin Room 2018. No forms will be accepted after Monday, April 23. They should be returned to Mrs. Burgeson in room 2018. Should you have any questions or concerns, please talk to Mrs. Burgeson. Dates: o April 6, 2018 Valedictorian Applications will be available o April 23, 2018 Valedictorian Applications are due o April 27, 2018 Valedictorian Selection meeting o May 24, 2018 Valedictiorian Address Admin. Review 13 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Graduation Ticket Sales We are very excitied to be partnering with Right Labs and will be using their online ticket purchasing and seat selection tool InviteRight. Price: TBD Tentative Purchase/Seat Selection Dates: System Opens April 13, 2018, 3:00 pm System Closes May 11, 2018 ***Students must meet all eligibility requirements before tickets will be available to purchase. 14 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Opt-out Form This google form will allow graduates to tell the graduation committee that they do not want to participate in one or both of the graduation events. Please visit the following link to complete your opt-out form if this is your desire: https://goo.gl/forms/qul17s1vy4pvxwys1 Because this is a google form, so you will need to have a gmail account, (your rvschools.ab.ca email account will work) that is logged in when you try to access the form. Once the form is submitted, the graduate s name will be removed from further communications regarding the actual events. Please note: this does not mean the graduate will not graduate in 2017 but rather will not participate in the graduation celebrations. 15 P age Oct. 25, 2017
Gown Sizing Form This google form will inform the graduation committee of the grad gown size required by each graduate for the grad ceremony. Please be accurate with your measurements to ensure proper fit. Please visit the following link to complete your grad gown sizing form: https://goo.gl/forms/svebrnll6lmm0eov2 Because this is a google form, you will need to have a gmail account, (your rvschools.ab.ca email account will work) that is logged in when you try to access the form. This form needs to be completed no later February 1, 2018. Below is the size chart that you will use to complete the online form: Gaspard Size Chart Height Gown Size Full Fit Suggestions 4 6-4 8 (137-143 cm) 39 n/a 4 9 4 11 (144-150 cm) 42 140 lbs. + 5 0 5 2 (151-158 cm) 45 165 lbs. + 5 3 5 5 (159-166 cm) 48 195 lbs. + 5 6 5 8 (167-173 cm) 51 225 lbs. + 5 9 5 11 (174-181 cm) 54 255 lbs. + 6 0-6 2 (182-188 cm) 57 275 lbs. + 6 3 6 5 (189-195 cm) 60 300 lbs. + 6 6 6 8 (196-201 cm) 63 350 lbs. + 16 P age Oct. 25, 2017