Dear Seniors and Parents of the Woodland HS Class of 2012:
Graduation is drawing near! Because of the many activities between now and the end of the year, I have prepared this letter to provide an outline of events and important information. Please read it carefully and mark your calendars. The remaining weeks will seem to move very quickly, so it's imperative that you know when things happen so you can take full advantage and enjoy the last months of your high school experience.
WHEN YOU NEED YOUR CAP AND GOWN:
Friday, April 13th - Changing of the Guard (GOWN ONLY)
Thursday, May 17th - Baccalaureate (remember - this is optional and encouraged, but if you
plan to participate, you must have your cap and gown)
Friday, May 18th - Graduation Practice at 10:00 a.m.(Group picture made in caps and TCPics)
Saturday, May 19th - Graduation at 9:00 a.m.
Important Information:
BACCALAUREATE: Although participation is optional, seniors are urged to participate in this uplifting and inspirational ceremony. Seniors attending should report to the chorus room by 5:30 p.m. dressed appropriately and in their complete graduation ensemble. Instructions will be given as to how to march in and out of the PAC.
HONORS NIGHT: Students and parents are invited to this program on April 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Honor Graduates will receive all of the special items they have earned to wear with their graduation ensemble. Although anyone can attend, invitations will be issued to those students who will be honored.
EXAMINATIONS: Examinations will be given per the schedule outlined in the "Dates To Remember" section. Seniors may exempt their exams if they meet the criteria outlined in The Parent-Student Handbook.
ATTENDANCE: Seniors are reminded that absences in excess of ten in any class could prevent credit from being awarded and may impact eligibility for graduation.
HOLDS/DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS: Seniors must clear all of their obligations before they will be permitted to participate in the graduation rehearsal. If books or other school-owned materials are not returned or paid for in cash, and if all media fines are not cleared, seniors will not be permitted to rehearse.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL: It is mandatory that a senior be present and ON TIME for Graduation Rehearsal in order to be allowed to participate in the Graduation Ceremony on May 19th. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. Seniors must report to the stadium NO LATER THAN 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 18th, in order to be permitted to rehearse and to participate in Graduation. We will start promptly. The actual rehearsal time depends completely on the cooperation of the seniors.
GRADUATION: Graduation is the largest academic event in the community each year. It is a dignified ceremony that will leave a lasting impression on all who attend. The graduates and the entire school will be judged on how "good" or "bad" the ceremony is perceived to be by those in attendance. Exemplary behavior by the graduates and their guests and flawless execution of the ceremony itself are essential. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for guests. Encourage your guests to dress in "Sunday Best" clothes. Seating will be first come-first served. Guests who need handicapped assistance have two options: they may enter at the main gate and can be seated (in wheelchairs if necessary) at the top of the stands behind the railing OR they may enter by the Field House and be seated on the track. In the event that a handicapped or elderly guest chooses to sit on the track, only one additional guest will be allowed with that person. Seating on the track will be very limited, and we will only allow those guests needing special accommodations to have this option.
NO PERSONS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BRING NOISE MAKERS
OR OTHER SUCH OBJECTS INTO THE STADIUM
Each graduate will receive four tickets. These tickets will be used in the event that bad weather forces us to hold the ceremony inside the Main Gym. In that case, only those individuals with tickets will be admitted inside the gym.
PARKING: Parking will be severely limited. Encourage your guests to carpool as much as possible. Graduates will park in the student parking lot. After 8:00 a.m., any additional parking in the student parking lot will be reserved for guests but will fill up fast. Once all campus parking spaces are filled, Bartow County Deputies will direct overflow. Additional parking will be available behind the WHS tennis courts.
PHOTOGRAPHY: TCPICS personnel will take individual pictures as each graduate crosses the stage. Graduates will receive information from TCPICS as to the various packages available for purchase. Photos or videos may be made from the stadium stands; however, entry onto the track or field will not be permitted. No one may block the view of other guests while attempting to make photographs or videos of the ceremony. No tripods will be allowed in the stands or on the track. We will be providing a quality video of the ceremony that graduates or their parents may purchase.
DRESS FOR GRADUATES: Proper attire must be worn under the robe or students will not be permitted to participate. Sunglasses are not allowed.
Ladies - Dark dress, natural color stockings (if stockings are worn), dark dress shoes
Gentlemen - Dark slacks (black preferred), white dress shirt, dark tie, dark dress shoes and socks.
Jewelry should be kept simple. Necklaces must be worn inside the collar. Ladies should not wear high heels, as they are difficult to walk in across the field. Men may NOT wear sneakers, or any other "novelty" type shoes or sandals. Ladies should not style their hair in such a manner that will prevent them from wearing their caps flat on top of their heads. Students will not be allowed to wear their hats "cocked back" on their heads.
CONDUCT: Graduation is a ceremony which honors an entire class. No individual has the right, nor will be permitted, to spoil a ceremony that honors so many. All school rules will be enforced. Any graduate that is under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance, or who has obviously partaken of same will be removed from the campus by Bartow County Sheriff's Deputies and placed under arrest. It is important that all graduates be ON TIME. Graduates must be inside their assigned rooms no later than 7:45 a.m. on May 19th. No persons besides school staff and the graduates will be allowed inside the building on the morning of Graduation. Graduates must remember to bring their caps, gowns, stoles, and other academic adornments. Those who forget any pieces of their graduation ensemble will have to purchase replacement items with cash or will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Graduates should not bring purses or other items in to the building.
During the ceremony, graduates should remain alert and courteous at all times. Do not talk or move around in your seat. Remind your guests that they should also remain quiet and applaud at only appropriate times. Noisemakers are absolutely not permitted, and anyone who chooses to bring one will be subject to removal.
IMPORTANT! Graduates will not receive their diplomas during the graduation ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates during the week following graduation. Any graduate who exhibits inappropriate behavior during any part of the ceremony will have to schedule an appointment with Dr. Williams to receive the diploma the following week. Dr.Williams will be the one to determine what constitutes "inappropriate behavior." RULE OF THUMB - IF WE DIDN'T REHEARSE IT, DON'T DO IT.
I hope this letter is helpful to you and your family. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school between 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at (770) 606-5870. I look forward to an exciting, emotional, and dignified closing to your high school years.
Sincerely,
Dr. Melissa Williams
Principal
