8
Ketchikan High School Graduation Handbook 2018

Ketchikan High School Graduation Handbook · KETCHIKAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION HANDBOOK ... The school principal may serve as emcee for the event. ... c.Must submit a letter …

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Ketchikan High School Graduation Handbook

2018

KETCHIKAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION HANDBOOK SENIOR CELEBRATION Graduates receiving scholarships and awards will be honored at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, beginning at 5:30 PM in the Kayhi Auditorium. Students receiving recognition are expected to attend this special event. CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATION The graduation ceremony will be Sunday, June 3, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in the Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium. Students should report to Mrs. Bowlen’s room no later than 1:15 p.m. Guests may enter the gymnasium at 1:15 p.m. If family members need handicap seating, please notify Ms. Whyte ([email protected]) before May 30, 2018. HONOR USHERS Two junior students with the highest cumulative grade point averages will lead the procession and guide the seniors to their seats. They will attend the graduation rehearsal. The next ten juniors with the highest cumulative grade point averages will serve as ushers and will distribute programs and assist the audience members. The school counselors and registrar will advise the senior advisers of the juniors who have been identified, and they will notify the students. GRADUATION REHEARSAL Seniors participating in the graduation ceremony are required to attend the graduation rehearsal on Thursday, May 31st from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Students must check in with their 2nd period teachers and proceed to the gym. GRADUATION RESPONSIBILITIES It is the student’s responsibility to satisfy all Ketchikan High School graduation requirements, including completion of required credits, a 100-hour work form, and a job application. Students applying credits from Fast Track, Revilla, or other accredited educational institutions must confirm completion and notify the registrar by Tuesday, May 29, at 3:00 p.m. Any fines or unpaid fees must be resolved by Friday, June 1st, at 3:30 p.m. During the ceremony graduates will be presented Kayhi folders and may pick up the actual diplomas between June 4th and June 8th at the school office during business hours. GRADUATION CONDUCT It is a privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony, and graduates will be expected to act in a dignified manner. Behaviors that reflect positively on the accomplishments of students and the importance of graduation are fully expected. If conduct is determined to be unseemly the student’s diploma may be withheld.

GRADUATION DRESS CODE All graduates participating in the ceremony must wear the Jostens cap, gown, and tassel. Students who need help ordering gear may contact Mrs. Stone ([email protected]) or call Jostens in Juneau (1-907-789-7486). Students are required to wear the maroon cap and gown but may adorn the cap and gown on a limited basis. Adornments that significantly cover the cap and gown or replace elements of the cap and gown (i.e. cedar bark hat replacing maroon mortar board hat) will require prior approval. Appropriate clothing and shoes that adhere to the school dress code are required with the cap and gown. MERIT DISTINCTION Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible to wear a gold distinction cord at graduation. National Honor Society members may wear the graduation stole. The cords and stoles will be distributed the day of graduation, and the stoles must be returned to a senior adviser following the ceremony. PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Diplomas will be awarded by a member of the Ketchikan Gateway School Board or by a Ketchikan High School teacher. Students who wish to have their diploma presented by a staff member must verify their intention with the staff member and must notify Ms. Whyte in writing no later than Monday, May 22 to confirm the arrangement. Names of students will be announced as they process, in a respectful manner, to receive their diplomas. A form of their legal name, not a nickname, will be used. SEATING ARRANGEMENTS Audience seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Members of the Ketchikan Gateway Board of Education, School District Administration, and staff and families of Ketchikan High School will be seated in chairs on the floor of the gymnasium opposite the graduates. A seating request form will be emailed to all those eligible for special seating, and reservations must be made by noon on the Thursday before graduation. GRADUATION SPEAKERS AND MUSICIANS The school principal may serve as emcee for the event. A graduation speaker will be selected by the advisers and administration with input from members of the class. A speech will be given by one of the students who has earned a 4.0 cumulative gpa. All students who have earned a cumulative 4.0 gpa will meet to select, by secret ballot, one of their own to speak. A choral performance will be performed if there is sufficient interest. Auditions for this will be announced, and any students interested in performing must attend the audition in order to be considered. The choir director, Mrs. Purcell, will conduct the auditions, and she and the senior advisers will make the selection.

Speeches, music, and lyrics will honor and respect the dignity of the occasion. Speeches will be reviewed by the administration or a representative of administration by noon on the Friday before graduation. If a speech interpreter is to be employed for the occasion, copies of the speeches will be dispatched to the interpreter. The principal, or designee, will certify to the community assembled that all those participating in the graduation ceremonies have met all Ketchikan High School graduation requirements. KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS The purpose of high school graduation requirements is to provide students a well-rounded education in a variety of subjects. They also establish rigorous standards of learning and the 22 required for graduation should be viewed as minimums. Students are encouraged to maximize their opportunities during their tenure at Ketchikan High School and must maintain a full schedule of courses all four years. Ketchikan High School students must earn 22 high school course credits in the following areas:

4 credits of English 3 credits of Math 3 credits of Science 3 credits of Social Studies that includes

1 credit of American Government 1 credit of U.S. or World History .5 credit of Alaska Studies .5 credit of Social Studies

.5 credit of Careers

.5 credit of Health

.5 credit of Physical Education 7.5 credits of Elective Courses

Students must also submit the work hours form verifying 100 hours of paid or volunteer work and a completed State of Alaska Job Application. COURSE CREDITS Outside correspondence courses to be applied toward graduation credit must have the prior approval of the Administration and completed prior to graduation. Any results received after May 29 may not be counted toward graduation for that school year. In such cases, the student may apply for graduation from Ketchikan High School the following year or apply for graduation through the District Correspondence Program. Course credit by examination must have prior approval.

PARTICIPATION IN THE KETCHIKAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY All students must meet graduation requirements in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. In very rare instances, the principal may grant a diploma to a person who has not earned 22 credits. See KGBSD board policy. EARLY GRADUATION (Student Handbook) Students who wish to graduate before their intended year of graduation must follow district protocols and submit the required paperwork to confirm their intentions. According to Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District policy, students with less than six semesters of high school attendance, but not less than six completed semesters of attendance, may be graduated if the specific criteria are met. The student:

a. Must have at least 18 or more credits at the beginning of the second semester of the year desired to graduate.

b. Have parent’s written permission on file in the Counselor’s Office. c. Must submit a letter of intention one semester prior to completion of requirements for graduation. d. Obtains administrative approval of High School Principal. e. Completes all graduation requirements for a high school diploma. f. Has been accepted by an institution offering advanced education or vocational training -OR

Meets criteria (a), (b), (c) and (d) and can show proof of full-time and continuous employment -OR Meets criteria (a), (b), (c) and (d) and can provide evidence of engaging in an acceptable alternative program of education -OR If the administration believes it is in the best interest of the student.

Students graduating early are eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony and need to inform the Senior Advisors by May 1st. SENIOR DEPARTURE (Student Handbook) The end of the year is a time to recognize those students who have concluded their public school education and to allow them an honorable and respectful transition to society. Seniors generally enjoy special school events, such as Prom, Senior Skip Day, End of the Year Paper Toss, and Graduation. Any behavior on the part of any student or group of students that disrupts the orderly flow of those events, which generally disrupts the school, or which has a negative impact on individual students, will not be tolerated. Pranks, hazing, vandalism, harassment, or any action that deviates from the normal acceptable behavior of the school day, will result in disciplinary and/or legal action on the part of the school and/or police department. SENIOR STATUS (Student Handbook) Senior status is based upon credits at the end of the junior year. Students with 15 credits or more will be classified as a senior; students with less than 15 credits will not be considered a senior or allowed to participate in senior activities until they reach 18 credits.

VALEDICTORIAN/SALUTATORIAN SELECTION CRITERIA

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are selected each year from the graduating class. The Valedictorian ranks first in scholarship and is considered the top student of his/her class; the salutatorian ranks second in scholarship and is considered the second highest student in his/her class. Criteria are based primarily on cumulative GPA, but the number of Advanced Placement classes and number of earned A+ grades are also considered at the end of the midpoint of the 4th quarter of the senior year. Thus, more than one student may qualify for the valedictorian and salutatorian distinctions. Candidates must attend classes at Ketchikan High School during at least three semesters of their junior and senior years.

The following point system will be used to determine valedictorian/salutatorian:

1. Cumulative GPA shall be determined at the end of the 3rd quarter of the senior year based on the student’s semester grades between their Freshman year through the first semester of their Senior year. Students with a 4.0 average will be included in the selection for Valedictorian and Salutatorian and will receive the full 30 points awarded for the top GPA. In the event there are no 4.0 students, the top ten seniors shall be ranked by GPA and given the following point values:

The following point values will be awarded: 1st: 30 points; 2nd: 27 points; 3rd: 24 points; 4th: 21 points; 5th: 18 points; 6th: 15 points; 7th: 12 points; 8th: 9 points; 9th; 6 points; and 10th: 3 points (60%).

2. The number of advanced classes taken by the candidates as determined in #1 above shall be determined by completed and current course enrollments at the midpoint of the 4th quarter of the senior year. (Current approved AP Courses offered at Ketchikan High School: AP Literature & Composition, AP Language & Composition, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP American Government, AP U.S. History, AP World History, AP European History, AP Economics (.5), AP Psychology, AP Biology, AP Chemistry.)

The following point values will be awarded: 1st: 10 points; 2nd: 9 points; 3rd: 8 points; 4th: 7 points; 5th: 6 points; 6th: 5 points; 7th: 4 points; 8th: 3 points; 9th: 2 points; 10th: 1 point (20%).

3. The total number of earned A+ semester grades by the candidates as determined in #1 above shall be determined at the midpoint of the 4th quarter of the senior year.

The following point values will be awarded: 1st: 10 points; 2nd: 9 points; 3rd: 8 points; 4th: 7 points; 5th: 6 points; 6th: 5 points; 7th: 4 points; 8th: 3 points; 9th: 2 points; 10th: 1 point (20%).

4. The point totals from the above three categories will be used to determine Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The Ketchikan High School Administration, Guidance Counselors, and Registrar will meet at the midpoint of the 4th quarter of the students’ senior year to determine who will be awarded the honor of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Students will be informed of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian selection at the Scholarship Assembly prior to graduation.

Graduation Ceremony Traditions and History By Emily Hull June 19, 2013 9:06 AM http://cnynews.com/graduation-ceremony-traditions-and-history/ As area high school seniors prepare to graduate, the traditions of the graduation ceremony that have existed for generations will be put into practice yet again. But what exactly are the origins of all these traditions? When was “Pomp and Circumstance” written? What’s up with those gowns? Who came up with tossing the graduation caps? And why do graduates move their tassel from one side to the other? I decided to do some research on the history of graduation customs to understand why these traditions have remained over the years. Pomp and Circumstance

Also known as “Land of Hope and Glory” was written in Sir Edward Elgar in 1901. The title of “Pomp and Circumstance” comes from a line in Shakespeare’s Othello, “Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!” In 1902, lyrics were written by poet and essayist Arthur Christopher Benson to celebrate the crowning of King Edward the VII.

It first became associated with graduation ceremonies in 1905 when Elgar received an honorary doctorate from Yale University and it was played. Other schools such as Princeton and Columbia picked up the tune as well before it spread to nearly every college and university in the U.S. Today the piece is often played as processional or recessional music for commencement ceremonies across the country. It has become so widely used that it’s rare to attend a graduation event without it.

Cap and Gown The outfit that signifies a graduate is the traditional cap and gown. The use of the

graduation gown began in the 12th century. At this time no sufficient heating systems existed in universities. Therefore scholars were forced to try and keep warm during their ceremonies. Graduates started wearing long robes with hoods to prevent being cold. Later on, in that century gowns were made the official attire of academics.

Today, it is custom in most high schools that males wear the school color, while female students wear white. The gown should fall midway between the knee and ankle.

The graduation cap also has roots in this time period. The cap is sometimes called a mortarboard because of the resemblance it has to a tool used by masons to hold mortar. The caps became popular in the 14th and 15th centuries and were worn by artists and students. These hats were used to signify superiority and intelligence. At this time the caps were commonly red in color to signify blood and life.

Caps vary in color depending upon the institution today. In present-day commencement ceremonies, the cap should be worn flat on the head and parallel to the floor. The front point of the cap should be centered on the forehead. Tossing of the Cap

The throwing of the graduation cap in the air is a tradition that was started by the Naval Academy in 1912. Prior to the graduation of 1912, graduates of the academy were required to serve two years in the fleet as midshipmen before being commissioned as Navy officers, therefore they still needed their hats. The class of 1912 was commissioned from the time of graduation and received their officers hats, thus their hats were no longer needed, leaving the graduates free to toss their caps into the air and not worry about getting them back.

The tradition then caught on at other institutions throughout the country. Now the action is regarded as a symbolic gesture of the end of a chapter in a graduate’s life. Turning of the Tassel

The use of a tassel adorning a graduation cap only started in the last 40 to 50 years. The tassel was originally designed to decorate the graduate's cap during the ceremony but it has come to have symbolism as well.

The gesture of moving the tassel from one side of the cap to the other symbolizes the individual’s movement from candidate to graduate. Prior to the ceremony, the tassel is expected to be worn on the right. During the ceremony, it should be moved to the left side after students receive their diploma. This custom is practiced in educational institutions nationwide.

When you attend a high school graduation ceremony look out for all the traditions that are in place. Notice any other school-specific customs designed to celebrate a new chapter in a graduate’s life. Congratulations to all the graduates on their accomplishments!