GRAD 2017 INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

The following information is provided to help explain many of the graduation activities for this year’s graduating class. Should you have questions about any of these activities or any other aspect of graduation, please contact Mr. Wiebe at 250-770-7620 or [email protected]

GRAD APPLICATION This application form is used to collect information needed for certificates, grad gown sizing and contact information. This application must be submitted to the office by February 24, 2017. The information about attending ceremonies, prom, etc. is only to estimate attendance at the events.

GRAD FEES The grad fee covers only the cost of the ceremony. The $70 fee pays for the rental of Cap & Gown (grads get to keep the cap and tassel), facility costs for the Trade & Convention Centre, printing of invitations, certificates and scrolls, and all other costs associated with the ceremonies.

CAPS AND GOWNS Ms. Jose and our office staff will co-ordinate the distribution of the caps and gowns for the graduation ceremony. Students will be able to pick up their Cap & Gown at the school at least three days before the grad ceremony so there will be opportunities to take photographs prior to the ceremony. Grads must return the gown and V stole immediately after the ceremony. Grads who fail to return their gowns will be charged the replacement cost ($150).

CEREMONY WRITE-UPS The information sheet must be submitted to the office by February 24, 2017. It will be used as the basis for a comment to be read as students receive their scroll at the ceremony.

CEREMONIES This year the school ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. at the Penticton Trade & Convention Center. Grads must be there by 6:00 p.m. to organize for the processional. Parents/guests are to be seated by 6:45 p.m.

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE FOR THE CEREMONY Boys  Dark coloured dress type pants are required. No jeans allowed.  Dark shoes and socks to match dress pants should be worn – no running shoes, skater shoes, sandals, hiking boots etc.  Because the gowns are black with a red, white and black collar, a white, or very light colour shirt, and dark tie looks best. Ties are not required but strongly suggested. If no tie is worn, then a button-up white shirt is required. Girls  Girls may choose between dark coloured dress pants or a skirt, dress, or shorts, where the hemline of the gown is longer than the skirt, dress or shorts. No jeans allowed.  Formal sandals or dress shoes must be worn – no running shoes, skater shoes, beach type sandals, etc.  A top, blouse or shirt where the neckline is not seen beneath the gown looks best for pictures.

CEREMONY REHEARSAL All grads must attend a rehearsal from 1:30 until 3:00 pm on the day of the ceremony (June 29th). No exceptions!! Do not book hair or other appointments during this time. If students are not in attendance at the rehearsal they will not know the routines for the ceremony. The rehearsal should be over by 3:00 p.m.

CEREMONY TICKETS There are approximately 140 students taking part in the ceremony this year. Each grad will receive four reserved tickets. These can be picked up by Grads in the concession in front of the office from May 8 3

– 12, 2017. The location of the reserved seats is allocated on a first come, first served basis, so parents are advised to prompt Grads to pick up their seats early in the week if you want to be closer to the front. Extra tickets for reserved seats, if available, may be requested through Mr. Wiebe at the time a Grad picks up his or her initial four tickets. Extra tickets will be allocated on a pro rata basis depending on the number of requests made and may be picked up from the office beginning on May 19, 2017. Please note, extra tickets will not be beside the original four seats each Grad will be issued. There will also be additional seats at the back of the hall, behind the reserved seating, that guests will not need a ticket to access.

GRAD DINNER and PROM The Grad Dinner and Prom will be held at the Lakeside Resort on Friday, June 30, 2017. This event includes the Grad Parade starting at 5:30 p.m. from the parking lot by the S.S. Sicamous, a professional Prom group photograph in the Penticton Lakeside Garden at 6:30, dinner at 7:00 p.m., and a dance which runs from 8:00-11:30 p.m. Ticket prices for the prom will be from $70 - $80 per person, depending on the dinner menu the Grads select and other final costs. Financial assistance is available through the Fairy Gradmother Project for those graduates who would not otherwise be able to participate in this event. Please contact Mr. Wiebe or our school counsellors, Tracey Sorensen and Sam Wingham, for more information on the Fairy Gradmother Project.

DRY GRAD Dry Grad is an event that is run by the parents and the community for the graduates of Princess Margaret Secondary. It is designed to be a safe event for graduates following the Prom. The only students permitted to take part in the Dry Grad event are those on the final Grad List. An important point to remember for grads: If the grad’s date or escort to the prom is not a current graduate, they are not permitted to attend the Dry Grad and must arrange their own transportation home from the prom as grads will be bussed directly from the Prom to the Dry Grad. Dry Grad takes place immediately after the Prom starting at 11:30 pm on June 30, 2017.

A committee of parent volunteers has the task of organizing and running the Dry Grad event. Special thanks to Teighan Graham who is the Chairperson, and to Terri Phillips who is the Dry Grad Secretary. We encourage all parents to get involved with organizing or helping raise funds for Dry Grad, and we invite you to attend the next Dry Grad meeting at 7:00 pm on in the school library.

GRAD PHOTOS There are three different photography services provided to the grads:

Grad Portraits. These photos are taken by Stuart Bish Photography, by appointment only, between February 13-24, 2017. Call 250-492-0049 to book a time. There is no sitting fee and photographs are provided free of charge to the yearbook and to the school and newspaper for grad composites. However, there is a $20 preview fee if you wish to see proofs and purchase grad portraits. Previews will be posted to Stuart Bish Photography’s website. Visit stuartbish.com for more details.

Ceremony Photos. Photographs of each student crossing the stage are taken during the graduation ceremony. These pictures will be included in the grad fee this year, and will be available after the ceremonies. These photos are taken by Photography by Chris (250-492-2355).

Prom Photos. There is also a professional photographer at the prom. Photography by Chris will be taking a group photograph of all of the graduates at the Prom, and students can arrange to have professional photos taken individually, as a couple, with friends or a group by Photography by Chris (492- 2355). 3

GRAD RINGS The school does not endorse any one Jeweler for Grad rings. Rings are provided by a number of retail outlets. Jewelers may visit the school during the year to show samples and to take orders and deposits. Information will be made available through student announcements.

YEARBOOKS Cost is $40. Last year all the yearbooks were sold. Don’t be disappointed. Get your order in now.

SCHOLARSHIPS/BURSARIES Last year, the Penticton Scholarship and Bursary Foundation presented over $60,000 to graduates from Princess Margaret Secondary School. The foundation oversees the collection of monies from individuals, service organizations and businesses in Penticton and is charged with the responsibility of distributing the monies in consultation with the scholarship committees at both of the secondary schools in Penticton. Princess Margaret’s scholarship committee is made up of Mr. Wiebe, Mr. Corrie and Mrs. Sorenson.

The student information meeting for these awards will be held in early April. Please plan to attend if you are going on to a full-time, accredited post-secondary program next year. These awards will be presented at our ceremonies on June 29, 2017. College and University Entrance awards and other outside awards are not presented at the ceremonies. As the information is received in the school, outside awards are advertised in the counseling area.

TRANSCRIPTS At the beginning of December, all Grade 12 students received a copy of their Transcript Verification Report (TVR). The admin and counsellors reviewed them in advance and indicated, with the use of stickers, if the students needed to complete and pass any courses, including provincial exams, in order to graduate. Students were also asked to verify their legal name, birthdate and address. Once students verified the information, or noted the changes that need to be made, and indicated they understood what requirements they needed to meet in order to graduate, they signed them and returned them to Mr. Wiebe. This process, with any updated information and successful completion of courses and exams indicated on their TVRs, will be repeated in May.

In late July, the Ministry of Education will send each student their results on any provincial exams written in June. The Ministry also sends each grade 12 student their transcript. This shows the grade 10, 11 & 12 courses that a student passed and their graduation status.