Letter to Parents - Guilderland Central School District

Guilderland High School
www.guilderlandschools.org
- - - - Guilderland Central School District - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- ­
8 School Road, P.O. Box 37, Guilderland Center, NY 12085 (518) 861-8591 FAX (518) 861-5874
MARK BROOKS
Asslttent Principal
MARIE WILES, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schoola
ANN·MARIE MCMANUS
Asslstent Principal
THOMAS LUTSIC
Principal
May 15,2015
LISA A. PATIERNE
Assistant Principal
Dear Class of2015 Parents:
On Saturday, June 27, a celebration of many years of hard work and dedication will occur.
Yes, the Class of2015 Commencement will take place at the SUNY Albany SEFCU Arena beginning
at 4:00 p.m. A wonderful program is planned for the 27th, but there are many details to review
beforehand.
Please pay close attention to the bulleted items below as each outlines important information
which will be key to making the graduation experience a success for all.
COMMENCEMENT DAY:
•
On Commencement day, students should arrive at the site no later than 3: 15 p.m. The doors to
the SEFCU Arena will be opened at 3:15 p.m. (NOT BEFORE) for parental seating. All
parking for the SEFCU Arena is in the SEFCU Arena Lot and Dutch Quad Lot (see map
enclosed with this letter). The program will take approximately 2 hours.
GRADUATION REHEARSAL:
•
Student rehearsal for the commencement will take place on Wednesday, June 24, at 9:15 a.m.
in the high school new gym and will last approximately one hour. Any senior planning to
attend the commencement program MUST be in attendance at the rehearsal.
•
All books must have been returned and all fines or fees paid prior to a student receiving his/her
cap and gown- NO EXCEPTIONS. Prior to rehearsal on Wednesday morning, June 24, there
will be a table set up in the high school cafeteria lobby specifically for last minute collections.
Students are encouraged to pay all f"mes/fees prior to the June 24th rehearsal. Outstanding
materials lists will be posted throughout the building beginning with the examination period.
Students are responsible for checking the list for any financial obligations due to the school.
•
Caps and gowns will be distributed after rehearsal for each graduate. If your child forgot to
order a cap and gown, please contact Heather Kisby at 861-8591 ext. 1000.
ADMISSION TICKETS:
•
Six admission tickets are included in each student's graduation packet picked up at rehearsal.
If you need more than six tickets, please contact Heather Kisby as soon as possible at
kisbyh@guilderlandschools.net.
•
If you will not need all six tickets, please contact us as soon as possible so that additional
tickets can be assigned to families requesting more tickets. Caps, gowns, and tickets WILL
NOT be distributed prior to rehearsal - NO EXCEPTIONS.
•
Information regarding handicapped parking, admittance and seating is enclosed.
"EMPOWERING ALL STUDENTS TO SUCCEED IN THE 21st CENTURY"
•
The commencement program is a formal exercise to honor not only the graduate, but also the
proud parents. I would encourage you to discuss the importance and formality of this event
with your graduate and appropriate corresponding behavior. Students will be expected to wear
collared shirts and long pants (boys), or dress/skirt/slacks (girls). Please make every effort to
discourage your child from wearing shorts, caps or any other casual attire that would detract
from the formality of the event Reminder: SEFCU policy does not permit balloons in the
auditorium.
•
Also, students only have a brief moment to receive their diplomas on stage. Throwing objects
and the disruptive behavior of students seated can block camera views and distract from the
student who is on stage. Please speak with your child about the importance of respecting
everyone's graduation and appropriate behavior.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS:
Many activities will take place between now and the end of the school year; a few key events
are bulleted below for your information. We want our seniors to enjoy the events planned for them
and to do so safely. Therefore, we will be llSing a passive alcohol sensor prior to the Senior Ball
and Graduation. The passive alcohol sensor is a screening device. Students who trigger the alcohol
sensor will be taken to a private location to discuss with chaperones whether or not they have been
drinking. If necessary, after the recommended wait time, a second test will be administered to
eliminate the possibility of a misreading. If it is determined that the student is under the influence of
alcohol, parents will be contacted and disciplinary consequences will be applied in accordance with the
District Code of Conduct. Please be aware that any student determined to be under the influence of
alcohol at the Senior Ball or Graduation will not be allowed to participate in the event.
Unfortunately, some of the other activities that we are often forced to deal with are those
activities that seniors choose to orchestrate on their own. Senior pranks and senior skip days are
never condoned by GHS and only serve to create unnecessary disruptions and complications to
what should be an enjoyable time of the year for aD of us. We are asking you, the parents, to help
us avoid any unpleasant complications to your child's final days here at GHS by reinforcing the
message that the GHS Code of Conduct is still in effect and will continue to be enforced right up until
they leave us. Senior pranks are not cute and funny, they are destructive and disruptive. Students who
choose to involve themselves in any such activities may relinquish their right to participate in any of
the end of the year activities listed below.
•
•
•
•
•
Senior Awards - June 3, 7:00pm, Auditorium (by invitation)
Senior Ball- June 12, 6:00pm- 11 :00 pm, Hall of Springs, Saratoga
Senior Picnic- June 15, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm - Tawasentha Park
Graduation Rehearsal- June 24,9:15 am, New Gym
Graduation - June 27, 4:00 pm, The SEFCU Arena @ SUNY Albany
In closing, I would like to congratulate you and your graduate for the commitment and effort
which made this milestone possible. If you have any questions regarding the commencement process,
please call the high school at 861-8591, Ext. 1000.
TL/hk
Enclosures
Thomas Lutsic
Principal
INFORMATION FOR BANDICAPP~D PARKING, ADMITTANCE AND SEATING
Anyone requesting handicapped parking, admittance and/or seating should plan on
arriving to the SEFCU Arena not later than 2:45 pm on the day of graduation.
Parking
• Special parking is available for those who cannot navigate stairs and/or need wheelchair---­
assistance.
• Please use the Western Avenue entrance to the University at Albany
o Take a left on the peripheral road and pass the entrance to the general parking of the
SEFCU Arena.
o · Take the next right and proceed to the Cul-de-Sac on the other side ofthe SEFCU Arena.
A security attendant will direct you to the drop off area and show you where to park.
o At the drop off area there is a ramp and walkway that leads to the main entrance.
Admittance and Seating
• The entrance to the SEFCU Arena is ~n the upper level and guests must navigate the
bleachers from the top.
• There is an elevator for guests who are unable to use the stairs. There will be GHS staff to
help. Please let staff know if you need assistance. The elevator will bring you to the floor
level where limited special seating will be available.
· • The SEFCU Arena mainly has bleacher seating; however, there are chairs in front of the
bleachers for our handicapped guests who cannot sit on bleachers.
Please contact the high school at 861-8591, Ext. 1000, to arrange for handicapp ed seating.
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