IMPORTANT DATES, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
Dear Parent(s)/Guardians of a Hinsdale Central Senior,
As the end of your senior year approaches, you can look back upon these past four years with a sense of pride. We are impressed with your accomplishments, and we feel fortunate to have been a part of your achievement. On behalf of the Hinsdale Central family, we extend our congratulations to you and wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
We have outlined several year-end activities that have been scheduled for the Class of 2018. An * indicates that attendance is
required.
Jostens on campus for Cap, Gown & Gymnasium Graduation Ticket Distribution
Cafeteria April 19 & 26, Lunch Periods
Prom
Crystal Garden, Navy Pier Saturday, May 5 @ 7:00 p.m.
Attendance on the Monday after Prom is expected, a medical note is required to excuse a student from school on the Monday after Prom.
Awards Night
(by invitation only)
Library Monday, May 14 @ 5:30 p.m.
Senior Final Exam Opt-Out
Online Form Due Friday, May 18 @ 3:00 p.m.
*Senior Exams;
administered during a normal daily schedule
Periods 9 & 10 Monday, May 21
Periods 3, 4/5/6 & 6/7/8 Tuesday, May 22
Periods 1 & 2 Wednesday, May 23
*Graduation Rehearsal
Gymnasium Wednesday, May 23 @ 10:00 a.m.
Senior Picnic
Grant Street Field Wednesday, May 23 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Senior Scholarship Program
Auditorium Thursday, May 24 @ 8:45 a.m.
Commencement (Graduation)
Dickinson Field Thursday, May 24 @ 7:00 p.m.
Gymnasium (if inclement weather, tickets were distributed with the Cap & Gown)
Graduation is the culminating event of your high school experience and a highlight of our end-of-the-year activities. As you prepare for commencement please be aware of the following guidelines:
1. Senior Final Exams: Teachers will communicate with students about the process to opt-out of a senior final exam. In short, teachers will finalize 4
th
Quarter Grades for seniors on May 17. The Senior Final Exam Online Opt-Out Form will go live on Thursday, May 17. For each exam a senior wants to opt-out, a Senior Final Exam Online Opt-Out Form must be completed by Friday, May 18 at 3:00 p.m. (DETAILS BELOW)
2. If you choose to participate in the commencement exercise, you MUST ATTEND the mandatory graduation rehearsal, Wednesday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m.
3. All financial obligations and athletic equipment must be cleared prior to Wednesday, May 23, 4:00 p.m. in order to participate in commencement. This includes the return of textbooks received from the Fee Waiver program, if applicable. Separate information will be sent out to Fee Waiver program families in early May.
4. Lockers must be cleaned out prior to May 24. Seniors will not be allowed into the building to clean out their lockers after graduation practice.
5. Graduation rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. in the gymnasium. Seniors must leave campus after rehearsal as school will still be in session for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
6. For Commencement on Thursday, May 24 seniors are to report to the gymnasium at
6:15 p.m
.
7. Polite, respectful, and dignified behavior by seniors is expected throughout the ceremony,
Character Counts!
8. Appropriate dress for commencement is required. For gentlemen this means dress shirts with collars (ties are preferable), dress pants and dress shoes. For ladies, dresses or blouses, skirts or dress slacks and sensible dress shoes. Informal dress such as shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sneakers, bare feet, etc. is not appropriate. Students not dressed appropriately will be sent home to change or not allowed to participate in the ceremony.
9. Caps and gowns are an integral part of appropriate attire and shall remain in the condition provided by during distribution; without tape, badges, messages or signs.
10. Diplomas will be distributed by the guidance counselors on the field (in the gymnasium during inclement weather) during the ceremony. For those not participating in graduation, diplomas can be picked up in the Registrar’s office, Room 113, beginning Friday morning May 25. Diplomas cannot be mailed.
Parents
of seniors who are graduating should be aware of the following:
1. Attendance on the Monday after Prom is expected, a medical note is required to excuse a student from school on the Monday after Prom.
2. In case of inclement weather, commencement will be held in the gymnasium. Tickets will be necessary for admittance.
3. Tickets for a commencement program in the gymnasium will be distributed with the cap and gowns on April 19 & 26. Place these tickets,
four per student
, in a secure location. There are no additional tickets available for additional family members due to the size of the graduating class.
4. Grad Images, LLC will photograph the ceremony. Graduates will receive order information directly from the studio.
5. Arrangements for ADA accessible seating and parking can be made directly through Julie Van Ness, (630) 570-8214. Separate tickets will be issued for accessible seating and will be used for
BOTH
Dickinson Field or gymnasium locations. This is limited to two tickets for the accessible seating area.
6. Parental behavior sets an example for our graduates. Our hope is that each graduate’s name can be heard.
While it may appear supportive to cheer as your student is called on stage, the result may be that another family cannot hear their student’s name announced.
We appreciate your cooperation in recognizing our students in an appropriate manner,
Character Counts!
Our graduation planning team has worked hard to make commencement an experience that is meaningful for all and reflects the dignity that such a ceremony deserves. We know that with your cooperation Commencement 2018 will be a ceremony of which we all can be proud.
Sincerely,
William C. Walsh,
Principal, Hinsdale Central High School
630.570.8210
