The Journey to D.A.R. Senior Parent Night--April 18, 2018 Information Packet For: Senior Parents and the Wheaton High School Class of 2018
Senior Milestones Please note the following dates on your calendar: April 16-25 Prom Tickets on sale ($65 per person) April 18 April 30 May 7 18 May 11 May 21 May 18 May 23 May 25 May 31 Senior Parent Meeting, 6:30 pm @Wheaton Auditorium DEADLINE for accepting checks for class dues and financial obligations AP Exams Deadline for requesting extra graduation tickets (or while supplies last). Senior Locker Clean-out Senior Prom @ Martin s Crosswinds in Greenbelt (dinner & dance), 7:30-11:30pm Post-Prom Party @ Mid-County Community Rec Center, 12:00-5:00am Senior Awards Ceremony, 6:00pm-9:00pm @ Wheaton Auditorium Last Day for Seniors Graduation Rehearsal, 8:00am 12:00pm @ Wheaton Cafeteria Attendance is mandatory. Each student must attend and participate appropriately in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. ***Distribution of cap & gown / graduation tickets will be at the END of rehearsal.*** June 1 GRADUATION, 10:00am @ DAR CONSTITUTION HALL, Washington, DC ***Graduates must arrive no later than 9:15am.*** Of course, all students must comply with all school regulations and policies at school sponsored events in order to participate in the graduation activities, including Prom.
PARENT CHECKLIST A few reminders of tasks to discuss with your student: SSL Hours--75 total (Ms. Wolfe, SSL Coordinator) Class Dues paid ($60) Clear obligations with Financial Specialist (Ms. Gutierrez, Finance Office) Clear Media Center Obligations (Ms. Ahn, Media Center) Transcript Fees (Ms. Gaitan, Guidance Office) HSA & PARCC exam requirements fulfilled SAT/ACT/Accuplacer taken Cap and gown ordered (completed during October senior picture) Invitations ordered (Jostens.com) Mandatory graduation rehearsal Senior Class Contacts: Ms. Schreckengost Ashley_M_Schreckengost@mcpsmd.org 301-321-3400 Graduation Coordinator Ms. Wolfe Amy_G_Wolfe@mcpsmd.org 301-321-3400 SSL Coordinator Dr. Berry Jim_Berry@mcpsmd.org 301-321-3228 Grade 12 Administrator
Graduation Rehearsal Rehearsal will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018, promptly at 8:00am, in the Wheaton High School cafeteria and auditorium. ALL students must attend graduation rehearsal. Students who do not attend graduation rehearsal WILL NOT be able to participate in the graduation ceremony. Seniors will receive their caps and gowns at the end of rehearsal if all obligations are cleared through the school Financial Office. Seniors will receive 6 tickets each. Each graduate may request up to 6 additional tickets. Students will receive the tickets at the end of rehearsal with their caps and gowns. Extra ticket requests will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Graduation Day Details 1. Time and Place: Graduation will be held at DAR Constitution Hall, 18 th & D Streets, N.W., Washington, DC. The ceremony begins at 10:00am. 2. Graduates Arrival & Exit a. Graduates must arrive no later than 9:15am. Seniors do not need tickets; they are admitted by their cap and gown. Seniors must be in the processional line in order to participate in the ceremony. No sunglasses, purses, any type of handbag, or other accessories will be carried during the processional; please leave these items with a family member before entering the building. b. All students will wear Wheaton red caps & gowns. c. Graduates will be divided in alphabetical order; the exact point where the class is split will be determined at rehearsal. Therefore, some graduates will enter through the C Street entrance and some graduates will enter through the D Street entrance. Students who are on stage and the seniors in the band will all proceed from the D Street entrance. Students in the top 5% of the class will proceed from the C Street entrance. Parents will not be permitted in these locations prior to the ceremony. d. Graduates may not join their families again until diplomas have been distributed following graduation. Graduates will exit the building from the same side that they enter. 3. Parents & Guests Arrival & Access a. Entry: Doors open at 9:00am and close at 9:45am. D.A.R security staff will reopen the doors after the processional. Everyone entering graduation, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Guests may enter at the 18 th Street Entrance only, unless handicapped access is required. b. Handicapped Access Information: Individuals who need sign language interpretation or any other special assistance to participate in graduation exercises should contact the Office of Interpreter Requesting Services at 301-517-5539. During all events a doorman/ticket taker and security officer will be stationed at the D Street entrance for the convenience of all patrons with disabilities who arrive by vehicle or use the driveway to avoid front steps. No special ticket is required. c. Interpretation Services: The Language Assistance Service Unit (LASU) will provide Spanish language interpretation headsets for use during the ceremony free of charge. You MUST bring ID in order to receive/use a headset at DAR. Headsets will be given out on a first-come, firstserve basis.
4. Transportation a. Metro Information is available online at www.metroopensdoors.com b. Busses Tickets can be purchased from the Main Office for $25 per ticket, while supplies last. Everyone on the bus, regardless of age, needs to purchase a ticket, including the graduate. Busses are first-come, first-serve until they are filled. c. Parking Daytime parking on the street during the week is difficult to find and is metered. Parking spaces in local lots managed by Colonial Parking may be reserved in advance at https://www.ecolonial.com/locations/dar-grad-parking/ 5. Videotaping/Photography: Parents may want to take pictures at home before the ceremony or after the ceremony. No tripods are allowed in the building. No filming will be permitted in the aisles, in front of the stage, or on the stage. Lifetouch Studios will take a picture of each graduate shaking hands with the principal. The photographer will contact families directly by mail after graduation. Cost of these pictures varies by package chosen. For those wishing to purchase a graduation video, please see the order form that will be distributed at rehearsal. 6. General Information: Doors to the public close by 9:45am and the lobby will then be cleared to permit graduates to move into the entry way for the processional. Parents and guests must be out of the lobby and seated at this time or they will miss the processional. The ceremony should end no later than 12:00pm. We will need to vacate the premises promptly to accommodate another graduation. DO NOT congregate immediately outside the exit doors as everyone (3000 people) will need to vacate the building. Designate a meeting place for your graduate and family. Graduates will exit from the same side they entered. 7. Notes from the staff of D.A.R. Constitution Hall: a. Smoking is not permitted b. NO book bags or backpacks will be allowed in the building. c. All bag/purses will be subject to search d. Security personnel may use a wand to screen visitors e. Everyone is subject to being stopped by uniform officers. Bring some form of ID. f. All travel restrictions in the area are subject to change at any time. g. Every person entering must have a ticket (including infants and small children). DAR security have the authority to remove individuals who are not in compliance with established ceremonial guidelines. Remember, this is an orderly and solemn occasion. All individuals should conduct themselves with dignity and decorum.
Attire for Graduates Participating in the Ceremony Boys A wrinkle-free Wheaton red academic robe Mortarboard (cap) with tassel on the left. (Consider bobby pins for secure attachment.) Long dress pants Dress shirt with collar and a tie Dress shoes with socks Jewelry should not be worn on the outside of academic robe. No flip flops or sandals permitted. Girls A wrinkle-free Wheaton red academic robe Mortarboard (cap) with tassel on the left. (Consider bobby pins for secure attachment.) Dress, skirt and blouse, or dress pants and dress shirt Sensible dress shoes o Avoid high heels. You will have to ascend and descend stairs on the stage without a railing to hold on to. Clothing, jewelry, and accessories should not be visible outside of robes. Avoid large earrings No purses, cosmetics, hairbrushes, etc. may be taken into the graduation ceremony. No flip flops or sandals permitted. Everyone Try on your gown as soon as you get home. Contact Mrs. Schreckengost immediately if you experience any problems. All gowns need to be hung in the bathroom while you take a shower to remove the wrinkles or carefully and lightly pressed. Caution: The material is very delicate. Honor Society members have received their honor stoles from their appropriate sponsors. Academy students will receive their stoles from Ms. Hidalgo. See her if you have any questions. The mortarboard (cap) should be worn so that it is parallel to the floor, flat on your head. During the processional and throughout the awarding of the diplomas, the tassel is worn on the left side. On signal from the stage after all graduates have been awarded diplomas, tassels will be shifted to the right side. Chewing gum, sunglasses, decorations, beach balls, etc. are not permitted and may result in removal from the event.
Prom/After-Prom Information Prom Location: Martin s Crosswinds 7400 Greenway Center Dr., Greenbelt, MD 20770 Date and Time: Friday, May 18, 2018, 7:30-11:30pm Cost: $65 per person Students will only be able to purchase Prom tickets once all financial, media center, transcript fees, senior fees, and other obligations have been cleared. Tickets will be sold April 16-April 25, while supplies last, during lunch in the ticket booth across from the main gym. After-Prom Location and Time: Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 12:00-5:00am Reminders to Students: Of course, all school rules are in effect for Prom and After-Prom. Please refer to the Student Agenda Book for a reminder of school rules. Students in violation of any of these rules may not be admitted to Prom or After-Prom. Students will also be subject to school consequences, which may include not participating in the graduation ceremony. Prom tickets and senior fees cannot be refunded. To maintain a safe and orderly environment, bags and belongings may be checked by staff before entering Prom, After-Prom, and/or Graduation. For questions regarding Prom, please contact Mrs. Ashley Schreckengost, Senior Class Sponsor Ashley_M_Schreckengost@mcpsmd.org For questions regarding After-Prom, please contact Mr. Godfrey Maynor, PTSA President GEMaynor@gmail.com or 240-281-6693