Dear Seniors and Families,
Many thanks to all who joined us at the Graduation Meeting last night! We are excited to celebrate our eighth graduating class of Ospreys on Friday, May 29. There are many important details to track, and we want to be sure that all the graduates-to-be and their families are in the loop, thus this lengthy email. Please read it carefully and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
GRADUATION WEEK EVENTS
There are several events during the week of graduation that have become Animas traditions. Please mark your calendar now and know that more information will be coming your way as these dates get closer.
Senior Celebration, Tuesday, May 26, Time and Location TBD (4-7ish, maybe at FLC?)
--Seniors will exhibit their Senior Projects at this event, which also provides an opportunity for graduates and their families to acknowledge the support we receive from our broader community. Senior Celebration is a public event that helps us celebrate seniors' accomplishments and say thank you to all in our community who serve as collaborative partners, mentors, scholarship providers, etc. Seniors are definitely expected to attend; we will distribute caps/gowns and tickets at this event.
- This is also where we’ll debut the AHS Senior Celebration Book, a full-color booklet with photo, future plans and high school highlights for each graduate.
- Seniors--please complete this Google Form by April 3 so we can create your individual half page, celebrating you!
- Parents--please consider purchasing a Family Encouragement Ad by April 10 or a Business Sponsorship Ad by April 20. See rate sheets, linked above, for more information.
Senior Supper, Thursday, May 28, 6:00-8:00pm at AHS
--Senior Supper is a special evening the night before graduation that gives seniors and faculty one last time to gather together and appreciate one another. Parents of juniors will organize and serve the dinner, which will happen on campus. All seniors should certainly plan to attend!
Dress Rehearsal, Friday, May 29, 8:30-10am at Community Concert Hall
--A full walk-through of the ceremony, in cap and gown. Karen Skelly will take the class picture before we head into the Concert Hall for the rehearsal. All seniors
must
attend.
Graduation Ceremony, Friday, May 29, 4:00-5:30pm at Community Concert Hall
ANNOUNCEMENTS, CAPS & GOWNS
We are working with Jostens and our sales reps are Jim Howland and Rick Wilding. You can reach Rick directly at
[email protected]
or (970) 773-6111.
We have not designed a one-size-fits all graduation announcement for families. If you would like to order announcements, you can design your own and order it through the Jostens website
here
. Prices for announcements/invitations vary depending on your design. They can be ordered at anytime and will be shipped directly to your home.
All AHS graduates must wear a green gown, a gold stole with the school crest, a green cap and a gold and green tassel with the year on it. The full package costs $57.95 and it can be ordered online
here,
or over the phone by calling 1-800-JOSTENS.
You will be able to place online orders starting next Monday, March 2. All
cap and gown orders must be completed by April 3
to guarantee on-time delivery!
You are welcome to borrow a cap and gown from an older sibling or alumni, but you will need a new tassel. Tassels cost $15 and should be ordered through Josten’s by completing the order form and sending payment directly to Jim Howland.
Please contact me if you are interested in borrowing a cap and gown from the school
; we have a few to loan out, with the intent being that they are primarily for families with financial need. Cap and gown orders are delivered to AHS and we will distribute all caps and gowns at Senior Celebration on May 26.
GRADUATION TICKETS
Reserved seating for families and guests of graduates will be in the lower portion of the Concert Hall, the Orchestra and Plaza sections. We are able to allocate 6 tickets in the reserved seating area to each graduate, for those who want them. There may very well be more than 6 tickets available to your family, if other graduates don't use all of the tickets allotted to them.
The bulk of the Balcony section of the theater will be set aside for non-ticketed, general admission audience members. If you have additional guests wishing to attend the ceremony who are not accommodated with your reserved seating group, they will be able to sit in this section. Please be assured that there is no such thing as a “bad” seat at the venue, and all attendees will be able to view the stage and hear the proceedings. There is no cost for tickets, whether reserved or general admission. Reserved tickets will be distributed to families at the Senior Celebration on May 26.
Please
complete the Graduation Ticket Survey
here
as soon as possible but
no later than May 1
to indicate the number of seats you wish to reserve
and whether any members of your group require wheelchair-accessible spaces or are hearing impaired (requiring an interpreter). After May 1, we will determine how many extra reserved tickets are available, and will let you know if you can have more than 6, if that is what you have requested. Please be sure to complete only one survey per graduate and respond by the deadline so that we don't give away reserved seating that you want!
PHOTOS
We are working with local professional photographer Karen Skelly to offer families the opportunity to order graduation photos. During the ceremony, Karen will take a photo of each graduate after receiving his/her diploma backstage. In addition, she will take a class photo in the morning during graduation rehearsal and several candids during the ceremony. Families will be able to order a variety of packages through her website. You can view last year’s graduation photos to get a sense of what’s available
here
(use password “ahs”). Bridget has order forms in the Main Office for those who would like to order ahead of the graduation ceremony. We will also send out information after the ceremony, letting families know how to view photos and order through Karen’s website.
SPEAKERS, MUSIC, ETC.
Seniors who are interested in joining the graduation committee should email me by next Wednesday, March 4
.
The graduation committee will work with the senior class to select faculty speakers and music.
Seniors who are interested in speaking at graduation will need to
submit a written version of their speech to me by May 6
.
A committee of teachers will ask potential student speakers to deliver their speeches in person and will make the final decision.
Phew--that’s it for now, I think. Please be in touch as questions come up in preparation for this big event!
Cheers,
Libby
